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Changes to dunes caused by 4WD vehicle tracks in beach camping areas of Fraser Island
Conference paper   Open access   Peer reviewed

Changes to dunes caused by 4WD vehicle tracks in beach camping areas of Fraser Island

Thomas Schlacher and Luke Thompson
Proceedings of the 2nd Queensland Coastal Conference
Queensland Coastal Conference: Waves of Change, 2nd (Gold Coast, Australia, 13-May-2009–15-May-2009)
SEQ Catchments Ltd.
2009
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Abstract

Environmental Science and Management Fraser Island coastal dunes
Although dunes are known to have very low tolerance to human disturbance and provide irreplaceable ecosystem services (e.g. erosion control, critical habitat and nesting sites), in dunes serve as campsites for large numbers of people (~ 90,000 p.a.) on the ocean-exposed shores of Fraser Island, Australia. On the island, camp sites are located in the established dunes and can only be accessed with 4WD vehicles along tracks cut directly f rom the beach through the foredunes. We quantified the extent of physical damage to foredunes caused by this practice, and tested whether human-induced physical changes to foredunes translate into biological effects. Of the 124 km of ocean-exposed, east -facing beaches, 122 km (98%) are open to vehicles, and camping zones cover 28.7 km or 23% of the dunes. A total of 235 vehicle tracks are cut across the foredunes at an average density of 8 tracks per km of beach. These tracks have effectively destroyed one-fifth (20.2%) of the dune front within the camping zones, deeply incising the dune-beach interface. There is evidence of accelerated erosion and shoreline retreat centred around vehicle tracks, resulting in a "scalloping" of the shoreline. No dune vegetation remains in the tracks and the abundance of ghost crabs (Ocypode spp.) i s significantly reduced compared with the abutting dunes. Because current levels of environmental change caused by dune camping may not be compatible with the sustainable use of coastal resources and conservation obligations for the island (listed as a World Heritage Area and gazetted as a National Park), restoration and mitigation interventions a re critical; these will require prioritisation of effort, and we present a multi-criteria ranking method to objectively target rehabilitation and conservation measures. Ultimately, coastal management needs to develop and implement strategies that reconcile demands for human recreation, including beach camping, with the conservation of dune ecosystems in the region.

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