human factors influencing Sefton dunes ecosystem

Question 1

recreation

Answer 1

• up to 100 people a day visit in summer
• uncontrollable access leads to severe erosion and trampling
• 4 by 4 vehicles driving off road damaged large areas in 1970’s.
• 1968-Pontins opened a holiday camp in the dunes.
• 25% coastline now managed as golf courses
• drainage, irrigation, mowing and fertilising has altered dune ecosystem

Question 2

sea walls

Answer 2

-by reducing erosion, sea walls at southport and crosby have interfeared with sand supply

Question 3

beach management

Answer 3

-mechanised beach cleaning has prevented sand accretion and the growth of embryo dunes around the high water mark

Question 4

car parking

Answer 4

-beach parking at ainsdale compacts the sand, reducing sand supply and dune growth

Question 5

forestry

Answer 5

• 1930’s, planted area with scots pine. these caused loss of dune habitat
• trees cast a dense shade, pushing out specialised sand dune plants
• littler from pine needles is highly acidic and changes the structure and chemistry of the soil. the pine woodlands have little biodiversity and scots pine is often the only plant species present

Question 6

development

Answer 6

50% dunes has been lost due to housing and building

-coast road cutting through dunes between birkdale and ainsdale has stopped the natural dune building process

Question 7

introduced species

Answer 7

sea buckthorn, white poplar, and basalm have been planted to stabilise the dunes and provide shelter belts. these and other species have colonised large areas causing nutrient enrichment