Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 104899 |
| Journal | Coastal engineering |
| Volume | 204 |
| Early online date | 4 Nov 2025 |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Jan 2026 |
Abstract
Coastal dunes serve as vital natural defenses against storms, with vegetation playing a key role in sediment stabilization and erosion mitigation. This study examines the effects of planting density, planting strategy, and biomass distribution on dune erosion resistance, using Ammophila arenaria in 1:7 scale flume experiments exposed to wave collision regimes. Tests with whole plants (uncut) and belowground-only biomass (cut) at varying planting densities resulted in erosion volume reductions of up to 31.2 % compared to bare dunes. Intermediate densities with well-developed root systems and buried shoots showed the most consistent reductions, while variability indicated the importance of root development and plant health. Belowground biomass alone provided nearly equivalent resistance compared to whole plants. Vegetation also influenced failure mechanisms, promoting notching and slumping with block detachment and deposition at the dune toe. Time-resolved 3D surface data from laser scanning revealed dynamic erosion patterns, while Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry supported detailed end-state analyses.
Keywords
- Dune erosion, Lidar, Marram grass, Structure from Motion, Vegetated dunes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Environmental Engineering
- Engineering(all)
- Ocean Engineering
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In: Coastal engineering, Vol. 204, 104899, 30.01.2026.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Vegetation effects on dune erosion under wave collision
T2 - Influence of planting density, biomass distribution and arrangement in scaled experiments
AU - Kosmalla, Viktoria
AU - Lojek, Oliver
AU - Ahrenbeck, Lukas
AU - Mehrtens, Björn
AU - Schweiger, Constantin
AU - Schürenkamp, David
AU - Goseberg, Nils
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors.
PY - 2026/1/30
Y1 - 2026/1/30
N2 - Coastal dunes serve as vital natural defenses against storms, with vegetation playing a key role in sediment stabilization and erosion mitigation. This study examines the effects of planting density, planting strategy, and biomass distribution on dune erosion resistance, using Ammophila arenaria in 1:7 scale flume experiments exposed to wave collision regimes. Tests with whole plants (uncut) and belowground-only biomass (cut) at varying planting densities resulted in erosion volume reductions of up to 31.2 % compared to bare dunes. Intermediate densities with well-developed root systems and buried shoots showed the most consistent reductions, while variability indicated the importance of root development and plant health. Belowground biomass alone provided nearly equivalent resistance compared to whole plants. Vegetation also influenced failure mechanisms, promoting notching and slumping with block detachment and deposition at the dune toe. Time-resolved 3D surface data from laser scanning revealed dynamic erosion patterns, while Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry supported detailed end-state analyses.
AB - Coastal dunes serve as vital natural defenses against storms, with vegetation playing a key role in sediment stabilization and erosion mitigation. This study examines the effects of planting density, planting strategy, and biomass distribution on dune erosion resistance, using Ammophila arenaria in 1:7 scale flume experiments exposed to wave collision regimes. Tests with whole plants (uncut) and belowground-only biomass (cut) at varying planting densities resulted in erosion volume reductions of up to 31.2 % compared to bare dunes. Intermediate densities with well-developed root systems and buried shoots showed the most consistent reductions, while variability indicated the importance of root development and plant health. Belowground biomass alone provided nearly equivalent resistance compared to whole plants. Vegetation also influenced failure mechanisms, promoting notching and slumping with block detachment and deposition at the dune toe. Time-resolved 3D surface data from laser scanning revealed dynamic erosion patterns, while Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry supported detailed end-state analyses.
KW - Dune erosion
KW - Lidar
KW - Marram grass
KW - Structure from Motion
KW - Vegetated dunes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105021264534&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2025.104899
DO - 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2025.104899
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105021264534
VL - 204
JO - Coastal engineering
JF - Coastal engineering
SN - 0378-3839
M1 - 104899
ER -