Vegetation stabilisation and slope failure of eroding sand dunes

A comparison of adjacent vegetated and non-vegetated seaward-facing dune slopes illustrates some of the problems associated with stabilisation byartificial planting. Although the vegetated slopes are more sec re (‘F’ values range from 1·16 to 2·33), they have a tendency to fail as rotational slips following marine undercutting, and supply of sand to the eroding beach is greatly reduced. Also a potential for massive slab failure exists. Sediment residence time is increased from 3·5 years for loose sand faces to 27 years for planted ones. For successful stabilisation it is necessary to know both the maximum stable cliff angle and the probable magnitude of storm-induced recession.