Coastal dunes occur in almost every latitude - from tropical to polar - and have been substantially altered by human activities. Many are already severely and irreversibly degraded. Although these ecosystems have been studied for a long time (as early as 1835), there has been a strong emphasis on the mid-latitude dune systems and a lack of attention given to the tropics where, unfortunately, much of the modern exploitation and coastal development for tourism is occurring.

This book brings together coastal dune specialists from tropical and temperate latitudes, which together cover a wide set of topics, including: geomorphology, community dynamics, ecophysiology, biotic interactions and environmental problems and conservation. A major product of this book is a set of recommendations for future research, identifying relevant topics where detailed knowledge is still lacking. It also identifies management tools that will promote and maintain the rich diversity of the dune environments in the context of continuing coastal development.

What Are Sand Dunes?

A Perspective on Coastal Dunes
The Coastal Foredune: A Morphological Basis for Regional Coastal Dune Development
Coastal Dunes in the Tropics and Temperate Regions: Location, Formation, Morphology and Vegetation Processes
The Flora and Fauna of Sand Dunes
Temperate Zone Coastal Dunes
Vegetation Dynamics and Succession on Sand Dunes of the Eastern Coasts of Africa
Why Coastal Dune Slacks Sustain a High Biodiversity
Coastal Dune Forest Rehabilitation: A Case Study on Rodent and Bird Assemblages in Northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Living in a Stressful Environment
Burial of Plants as a Selective Force in Sand Dunes
Physiological Characteristics of Coastal Dune Pioneer Species from the Eastern Cape, South Africa, in Relation to Stress and Disturbance
Plant Functional Types in Coastal Dune Habitats
Biotic Interactions
Arbuscular Mycorrhizas in Coastal Dunes
The Role of Algal Mats on Community Succession in Dunes and Dune Slacks
Plant-Plant Interactions in Coastal Dunes
Ant-Plant Interactions: Their Seasonal Variation and Effects on Plant Fitness
Environmental Problems and Conservation
Environmental Problems and Restoration Measures in Coastal Dunes in the Netherlands
The Costs of our Coasts: Examples of Dynamic Dune Management from Western Europe
Animal Life on Coatal Dunes: From Exploitation and Prosecution to Protection and Monitoring
Coastal Vegetation as Indicators for Conservation
A Case Study of Conservation and Management of Tropical Sand Dune Systems: La Mancha-El Llano
European Coastal Dunes: Ecological Values, Threats, Opportunities and Policy Development
The Coastal Dune Paradox: Conservation vs Exploitation?
The Fragility and Conservation of the World's Coastal Dunes:Geomorphological, Ecological and Socioeconomic Perspectives.