This means that the eddies from the groyne help to keep the harbor mouth clean.
Vehicular barriers, usually a large fence of boulders, metal, wood or a combination, are effective at protecting dunes. Many of the larger beaches in Nova Scotia, but particularly Lighthouse Beach has had problems with ATVs and ORVs. They have caused damage [Photo 2] to dune grass where erosion takes place faster than normal.
Another effective hard defense is a fence. This can be simple, in that it need only be wooden slats [See Photo 3 (melmerby.ca)]. The idea behind a fence is that it will keep humans and animals, which would potentially destroy the dune, off.
An example of such a destroyed dune is one in Waterside. The boardwalk protected the rear dunes, so they flourished, but the boardwalk ended on the crest of the foredune, and caused erosion from repeated trampling. [Photo 4]. Alternatively, at Melmerby Beach, also in Pictou County [Photo 5 (melmerby.ca)], the boardwalk has protected the dunes completely. The dune grass is healthy for the entirety of the back dunes, and there is no erosion ridge on the foredune.
On the other hand, a fence could be so simple as a rope with a sign posted. This could be a Temporary Closure due to Piping Plover nesting grounds, as seen on Melmerby Beach [Photo 6 (melmerby.ca)].
The most natural defense is just the posting of a sign dictating to stay off of the dunes. [Photo 7 (melmerby.ca)]. This is a strategy generally combined with another to provide a stronger defense against those damaging them.
Soft defenses, such as artificially planting dune grass, can be more aesthetic than hard defenses if planted properly. The sprigs [in Photo 8] were planted at Lighthouse Beach to prevent the wind from scouring the top of the dune. The sprigs were planted in sections, as Baird and Associates were testing dune grass for dependability
vigor in the specific conditions of the spit.
Bard and Associates also introduced beach nutrification, in the form of cobble. They initially did extensive work to repair a breach that had formed in the middle of Lighthouse Beach, by laying armor stone in a pyramidal pattern. The edges of this stone can be seen in Photo 9. After cobble nutrification, which was used to protect the leeside of a groyne, there has been a return of more sand [Photo 10].
Each management strategy against erosion has both benefits and drawbacks. In general, natural defenses are not for combating erosion, rather protecting against it in the first place. Hard defenses are used to stop or reverse erosion, but do not tend to be aesthetically pleasing. Natural-looking soft defenses are also semi-strong. They can withstand more than natural dunes can but tend to be costly in repair and maintenance.
Humans influence dunes both positively and negatively. For each positive solution, there was something negative initially, for it to be put in place. We must also remember that we are the only ones who sculpt the earth, no other species tries. There have nearly always been beaches, and the coastlines have continuously been in constant fluxuation. Thus we need to weigh the pros and the cons of letting nature take its course (Taylor).
Works Cited
“Coastal Sand Dunes.” CRD: Capital Regional District. 2007. CRD: Capital Regional District. 24 Mar. 2008 <>
“Desktops.” melmerby.ca. 27 Mar. 2008 <>
Hales, Wendy. Sand Dunes of Nova Scotia. Diss. McMaster University, 1992. Ann McMaster University, 1992.
“NPA Fact Sheet Series” Canada’s National Programme for the Protection of the Marine _ Environment from Land-based Activities. Nova Scotia’s Department of Fisheries and Agriculture; Environment Canada. 26 Mar. 2008 <>
“Pictou County Map” Municipal Facts, Figures, and History - Counties of Nova Scotia. Service Nova Scotia. 26 Mar. 2008 <>
Taylor, Bob. Class Discussion. IB Geography. Northumberland Regional High School, Alma NS. 4 Jan 2008.
Unaccredited photos - Dignan, Victoria, from 17 Oct. 2007 to Mar. 2008.
Whitford, Jacques. Environmental Assessment of Lighthouse Beach Restoration. Nova Scotia Transportation and Public Works. 11 Oct. 2005.
Appendix
Figure 1
Nova Scotia, Canada
Figure 2
Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 6
Photo 5
Photo 7
Photo 8
Photo 9
Photo 10
