Dissertation
Environmental Drivers of Change and the Ecological and Physical Consequences of Human Disturbance on Exposed Beaches
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00249
Abstract
Exposed sandy beaches make up more of the globe‟s coastline than any other littoral ecosystem. Their ecological structure is conventionally thought to be largely determined by physical limitations on individual species‟ occurrences, while biological interactions are comparatively unimportant drivers of community dynamics. As coastal populations expand, demands for recreational opportunities on beaches and coastal dunes grow correspondingly. Because sandy beaches are prime sites for recreation, human alterations of the habitat are widespread and can have sizeable ecological ramifications. Arguably, these human disturbances act as a complementary mechanism to the widely-cited, physical control of beach ecosystems. Yet, specific effect sizes have not been measured for a number of disturbance and impact types. Consequently, this thesis quantifies environmental changes caused by recreational vehicle activity to the intertidal habitat matrix, frontal dune system, and documents the effects of human trampling on the intertidal macrobenthos.
Details
- Title
- Environmental Drivers of Change and the Ecological and Physical Consequences of Human Disturbance on Exposed Beaches
- Authors
- Luke Thompson
- Contributors
- Thomas Schlacher (Supervisor)
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00249
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448739402621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
- Research Statement
- false
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