Many small sand dunes are being formed on the beach between Raversijde (Ostend – West Flanders) and Middelkerke. These sand dunes are growing spontaneously because sand accumulates around plants such as marram grass and sea rocket. In the past, spontaneously growing dunes and plants were cleared away using beach cleaning machines. But this is no longer the case because today it is appreciated that these dunes are useful for retaining sand and protecting the coast against storms and flooding.
Four years ago, a pilot project was launched to plant vegetation on the beach. These plants, mainly marram grass, retain windblown sand, creating dunes. These dunes are now several metres high. The dune formation is continuing on the beach in the direction of the neighbouring resort of Middelkerke (West Flanders). Here and there, small dunes are growing spontaneously around plants.
Peter Van Besien of the Maritime and Coastal Services Agency: ‘Our pilot project in Raversijde four years ago has been very successful. We have observed a significant reduction in the amount of sand accumulating on the tram tracks and on the coastal road, resulting in less disruption. We are now seeing the natural development of dunes towards Middelkerke.’
‘We welcome this and are trying to support it as much as possible. These dunes are still quite small at the moment, not yet robust, not yet strong enough to catch all the sand. But we are doing everything we can to help them develop into larger dune.’
‘Extra sand in the form of a higher beach or a new dune will be an essential building block to provide greater coastal safety. At the moment, this part of the coast in Raversijde is safe enough. But in the long term, if we take sea level rise into account, we will need additional measures.’
‘Our Coastal Vision Project, which studies long-term protection against sea level rise, has shown that dunes are the best means of promoting and ensuring our coastal safety. We therefore welcome the natural formation of dunes. It creates a safer coastline, which is also more beautiful and natural.’
When there are strong winds from the sea, a lot of sand blows onto the seafront. This ends up on the tram tracks and the coastal road. This causes disruption to the coastal tram and other traffic. The spontaneous dunes can prevent this.
‘These dunes effectively catch the sand. They need sand - we call that ‘sand hunger’ - in order to grow. The wind loses speed between the marram grass and so sand particles fall to the ground. In this way, sand is naturally collected.’
‘Along a normal coastline without dunes, we see an average of 5 cubic metres of sand accumulating per metre of coastline per year. Areas with marram grass can double that to 10 to 12 cubic metres per metre of coastline. So they are ideal sand traps that retain the sand and ensure a safer coastline.’