Changing Landscape
1 sound
Julia Galbenu, Dynamic Dunescapes Engagement Officer, talks about the restoration of the sand dunes at Studland Bay.
Our sand dunes are under threat. Climate change, pollution and 100 years of over-protective land use have halted natural cycles of dune dynamics. Now our once mosaic landscape is slowly becoming smothered by gorse and trees. Open sandy habitats are being buried and rare wildlife pushed out.
Dynamic Dunescapes is a partnership project, working across England and Wales to restore sand dunes for the benefit of wildlife, people and communities. Under the project, we are recreating patches of bare sand through the formation of ‘scrapes’. This involves removing the above ground vegetation and then digging out the soil back to bare sand. The bare sand on the scrapes will provide homes for rare plants and animals. We are also reintroducing cattle grazing to Studland Bay. Ten Red Devon cattle will graze the centre of the dunes, well away from beaches and the busiest paths, during the summer months. They will help our dunes by trampling through dense vegetation, keeping sandy patches open and feeding in the wet areas.
To monitor the changes happening on the dunes, and ensure we are having a positive impact, a citizen science project is underway. Volunteer groups and local schools come regularly, rain or shine, to collect important data from the dunes. Interested in getting involved? Search Dynamic Dunescapes volunteering for more.
Photo by Caroline Pearce, Jurassic Coast Trust. Music and sound by Laura Reid 2021.
