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Can sand nourishment material affect dune vegetation through nutrient addition?
Iris R Pit1, Martin J Wassen1, Annemieke M Kooijman2
1Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
The Science of the Total Environment
|April 12, 2020
Summary
Coastal sand nourishment in the Netherlands did not immediately alter phosphorus levels in dune soil or vegetation. However, fine sand accumulation in dynamic dunes may impact phosphorus availability and soil buffering capacity over time, potentially benefiting rare plant species.
Area of Science:
- Coastal ecology
- Soil science
- Plant nutrient cycling
Background:
- Coastal defense strategies in the Netherlands involve replenishing dunes with sand from the seabed and beach.
- Understanding the impact of this nourishment material on soil phosphorus and vegetation nutrient ratios is crucial for ecosystem health.
- Two distinct nourishment approaches, mega-nourishment with fixed foredunes (SE) and traditional nourishment with dynamic foredunes (NWC), were compared.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if sand nourishment alters dune soil phosphorus (P) content and the nitrogen (N):P ratio in dune vegetation.
- To compare these effects between fixed (SE) and dynamic (NWC) foredune systems.
- To assess the characteristics of sand fractions and their P binding in different dune zones.
Main Methods:
- Sampling across four zones: beach, frontal foredunes, foredune crest, and inner dunes.
- Analysis of fine (<250 μm) and coarse (250–2000 μm) sand fractions.
- Measurement of total P, P speciation (e.g., Fe-bound P, Ca-bound P), and available P in soil samples.
Main Results:
- Phosphorus content and speciation were similar across SE and NWC systems in the beach to foredune crest zones.
- Inner dunes (zone 4) showed finer sand with higher P content, particularly in the NWC system.
- After four years, no significant impact of dynamic dunes on P fractions or plant species was evident, despite incoming fine sand rich in Ca-bound P.
Conclusions:
- Initial sand nourishment effects on P dynamics are minimal, but long-term changes are expected, especially in dynamic dunes.
- Accumulation of fine sand with high Ca-bound P in dynamic dunes may increase soil pH buffering and reduce P availability.
- These conditions could favor the establishment of endangered dune plant species adapted to low P environments.
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