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Cited by 83Aeolian processes and effectsCoastal and Marine DynamicsGeological formations and processes

Embryo dune development drivers: beach morphology, growing season precipitation, and storms

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van Puijenbroek, Marinka E.B., Limpens, Juul, de Groot, Alma V., Riksen, Michel J.P.M., Gleichman, Maurits, Slim, Pieter A., van Dobben, Han F., Berendse, Frank·2017·Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
DOI 10.1002/esp.4144
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Abstract

For development of embryo dunes on the highly dynamic land–sea boundary, summer growth and the absence of winter erosion are essential. Other than that, however, we know little about the specific conditions that favour embryo dune development. This study explores the boundary conditions for early dune development to enable better predictions of natural dune expansion. Using a 30 year time series of aerial photographs of 33 sites along the Dutch coast, we assessed the influence of beach morphology (beach width and tidal range), meteorological conditions (storm characteristics, wind speed, growing season precipitation, and temperature), and sand nourishment on early dune development. We examined the presence and area of embryo dunes in relation to beach width and tidal range, and compared changes in embryo dune area to meteorological conditions and whether sand nourishment had been applied. We found that the presence and area of embryo dunes increased with increasing beach width. Over time, embryo dune area was negatively correlated with storm intensity and frequency. Embryo dune area was positively correlated with precipitation in the growing season and sand nourishment. Embryo dune area increased in periods of low storm frequency and in wet summers, and decreased in periods of high storm frequency or intensity. We conclude that beach morphology is highly influential in determining the potential for new dune development, and wide beaches enable development of larger embryo dune fields. Sand nourishment stimulates dune development by increasing beach width. Finally, weather conditions and non‐interrupted sequences of years without high‐intensity storms determine whether progressive dune development will take place. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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  • Several environmental factors influence the growth and distribution of dune-forming plants, including soil salinity, exposure to salt spray, the dynamics of sand burial or erosion, and the availability of nutrients and water.

    “Several environmental factors influence the growth and distribution of dune-forming plants, including soil salinity, exposure to salt spray, the dynamics of sand burial or erosion, and the availability of nutrients and water (Parsons and Becker, 2021;Van Puijenbroek et al., 2017;Konlechner et al., 2013;Dixon et al., 2004;Martinez et al., 1996).”

    From Towards integrated management of sandy anthropogenic shores: Developing tools for the exploration of human-natural interactions (2025) · cites this paper as Van Puijenbroek et al., 2017

    The Introduction (page not supplied) says dune-building plants are influenced by soil salinity, soil moisture, and sand erosion or burial. The Meteorological conditions section (page not supplied) also links water availability to their growth. Our copy does not address salt-spray exposure or nutrient availability as influences on these plants. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • While salinity can affect Marram grass development, erosion is the primary cause of plant mortality, particularly during winter in Sand Motor.

    “Van Puijenbroek et al. (2017) found that while salinity can affect Marram grass development, erosion is the primary cause of plant mortality, particularly during winter in Sand Motor.”

    From Towards integrated management of sandy anthropogenic shores: Developing tools for the exploration of human-natural interactions (2025) · cites this paper as Van Puijenbroek et al. (2017)

    The Introduction (page unavailable) says dune-building plants are influenced by soil salinity and describes autumn–winter erosion of embryo dunes. The Meteorological conditions section links reduced salinity to growth of A. arenaria, or Marram grass. The paper does not establish that erosion is the primary cause of plant mortality, particularly during winter at the Sand Motor; its Management implications section mentions the Sand Motor only as a nourishment project. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
van Puijenbroek, M. E. B., Limpens, J., de Groot, A. V., Riksen, M. J. P. M., Gleichman, M., Slim, P. A., van Dobben, H. F., & Berendse, F.
Affiliations
  • Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group (PEN) Wageningen University &amp; Research Wageningen The Netherlands
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
  • Wageningen Marine Research Wageningen University &amp; Research Den Helder The Netherlands
  • Wageningen Environmental Research Wageningen University &amp; Research Wageningen The Netherlands
ORCID
Venue
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-04-24
Volume
42
Issue
11
Pages
1733-1744
ISSN
  • 0197-9337 (ISSN-L)
  • 1096-9837
DOI
10.1002/esp.4144
OpenAlex
W2624293097
Cited by
83
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6
FWCI
7.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
NWO-STW (STW 12689 S4)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Earth-Surface Processes › Aeolian processes and effects
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Earth-Surface Processes › Coastal and Marine Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Earth-Surface Processes › Geological formations and processes
Keywords
dune development, beach morphology, beach width, tidal range, storm intensity, storm frequency, growing season precipitation, sand nourishment, coastal dune dynamics, land-sea boundary, Dutch coast

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