5.0 Management Practices of Coastal Dune Systems

The Stockton Bight sand dune ecosystem has been managed for thousands of years by local Aboriginal groups. In more recent times, management of the ecosystem is divided between the various governmental agencies and departments responsible for particular aspects of the ecosystem.

Why protect and manage Coastal Dune Systems?

Maintenance of Genetic Diversity (Biodiversity)

• Protection of biodiversity on coastal sand dunes requires consideration of how different species interact with other species, with the non-living environment and with other ecosystems. For Coastal Sand Dune Systems are very interdependent thus making them vulnerable.
• The various geomorphic and vegetation zones of the dune system provide habitats for a variety of species. Destruction of these habitats leads to a cascading effect whereby various species become threatened, endangered or sometimes extinct. This upsets the balance of the sand dunes
• The biodiversity on coastal sand dunes helps create a special character of the coastal zone producing an environment with which many people can identify.

Intrinsic Values

• For indigenous people it holds a spiritual connection where various animals act as totems.
• Coastal Dunes provide habitats that support unique plants and animals.
• Coastal dunes are very attractive which draws people to live near them.
• Their beauty draws people for recreational use.

Utility Values

• For indigenous people it acted as ready available food supply
• Coastal Dunes protect the beach from powerful storm waves by acting as a buffer zone.
• The sediment stored on Dunes help replenish sand lost during storms on beaches.
• They contain valuable minerals. At Stockton minerals used for building titanium Steele is found.
• Recreational use has lead to tourist operations thus enhancing localeconomies.
• Location behind beaches makes them popular for coastal development.(economic value)

Heritage Value

• Many dune systems hold records of past climatic and sea changes in the layers beneath them. The Stockton Bight Sand Dune System provides one of the most comprehensive and most accessible records in New South Wales.
• Dune Systems provide excellent archaeological sites from Aboriginal which provide an unique record of traditional cultural history. At Stockton Bight open campsites, scarred trees, carved trees, middens.
• Middens are said to be the scrap heaps of Aboriginal feasts full of seafood remains and the remains of other animals. Some argue that Middens also served as territorial markers for the Aboriginal people. At Stockton over 116 of these sites have been found and the Worimi people are the custodians.

The need to allow natural change to proceed

• Sand dunes are dynamic ecosystems (meaning much occurs in them). The accumulation of sand and its subsequent erosion continues on an endless cycle. The succession of plants help maintain an equilibrium. Humans have impacted on this natural process and as a consequence many sand dune ecosystems have been destroyed.
• What is more prolific is that since the accretion cycle has been affected, by increased erosion through vegetation removal and the restriction of sediment flows, many houses built on the foredune and hind dune areas are and have been damaged by storms.