Geography Higher Level: Field Written Report

Dune Morphology at Guincho Beach, Portugal

Natalie Sullivan

Geography HL

000650-042

St. Dominic´s International School

May 2009

Word count: 2,312

Contents

Introduction to Dune Succession ...................................................................................Page 1

Aim............................................................................................................................................Page 1

Hypothesis...............................................................................................................................Page 1

Location choice.......................................................................................................................Page 2

Methods of data collection..................................................................................................Page 3

Data presentation and processing....................................................................................Page 4

Presentation of Results ........................................................................................................Page 4

Tables and Graphs .................................................................................................................Page 5

Analysis of Results.................................................................................................................Page 11

Evaluation and Conclusion...................................................................................................Page 12

Dune succession

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Succession is a process which operates through time. Because this is a slow process, change in soil and vegetation at any one location from bare sand to a late stage in the succession such as dune heath will take 100s of years. However, because the dunes near the coast are young and mostly become progressively older through time it is possible to use distance as a surrogate for time. As you walk from the strand line inland you will walk from young to old dunes.

Aim:

The aim of the investigation was to study the factors that affect the vegetation cover, and thus the influence that it has on the Morphology of the Guincho Beach Dune System.

First of all, what will be looked at is: how the distance from the sea (i.e. High tide mark) can affect the percentage cover of vegetation in the region studied, and how it varies along a transect line going down the beach.  Another point looked at, will be how the wind speed affects the percentage cover of vegetation, it is very similar to the first investigation, as the pattern will most certainly be similar.  

Hypothesis:

H 1 - I will be looking at the percentage cover of vegetation changes with distance from the sea. As we go further away from the High tide mark (HTM) the percentage of the vegetation cover will increase. Using a transect line and quadrats we will be able see this, due to the fact that the front is more susceptible to trampling by humans, making it harder for the plants to grow in great quantities in those areas.                        

H 2 – I will also be looking at the influence of wind speed on the percentage of vegetation cover. The higher the wind speed the lower the percentage cover will be. This is because the high wind speed will inevitably destroy or at least damage the vegetation growing in that certain area.

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Reason for choosing Guincho

Location and features

The reason for choosing Guincho is because it has an extensive and dynamic dune system, accessible (close to school), safe.  North-west facing beach, on Atlantic coast, thus wind speeds are higher and wave action is higher, so dune system id more dynamic, about 10 km west of Cascais. Part of Sintra natural Park. It is one of the best well kept (or relatively well kept beaches for sand dunes.                                           ...

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