7.8 Dune Revegation at Stuarts Point - Questions

1. Name and locate the coastal dune management area discussed in this unit.
The area discussed in this unit is Stuarts Point. Stuarts Point is located at the mouth of the Macleay River just south of Grassy Head headland and North of Shark Island and South West Rocks. 


2. Using the material in the unit, construct a timeline that highlights the changes in the Stuarts Point sand dune ecosystem. 
1893 - A large flood opened up a gap for the Macleay River at South West Rocks causing the original mouth of the Macleay River to close due to build up of silt and lessen in flow. 
Early 1900's - The gap closed allowing cattle to graze along the dune barrier system. Eventually the vegetation was lost and on three consecutive occasions of heavy storms the dunes were drowned. The idea of the dunes being lost caused action from the community as there was threat against some property.
1965 - After approaching the Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales for advice and assistance, they provided native plant seedlings to what was going to be the start of the revegetation program for Stuarts Point. Unfortunately, this scheme failed in August due to cattle grazing. 
1970 - With all the organisations working together, they developed a scheme that would re-establish the dunes in three parts. They would have a primary dune consisting of grasses and creepers, a secondary species consisting of shrubs and short-lived trees and a tertiary species consisting of long-lived trees. 
Today - It continues to be a success today with the plan still intact and very few issues. 


3. Describe the role of the local community in managing the sand dune area.
The community had a large role in making the management of the sand dunes successful. They had the responsibility to keep on the walking tracks, keep litter to a minimum and some people from the communities even volunteered.  Their involvement was a key area of the re-establishment of Stuarts Point. 


4. Why is the sand dune area important to the people of Stuarts Point?
The dune area is very important to the the people of Stuarts Point. Without it, some properties would be lost making it almost crucial to have the dunes in place. 


5. Using 7.35 describe the natural vegetation succession on sand dunes.
The sand dunes are built up of three separate and different plant types.  The first section being made up of grasses and creepers that trap dry sand in the frontal dunes and reduce the sand and spray onto dunes behind it. The second section is made up of  shrubs and short lived trees that are highly adapted prolific re-seeders, fast-growing plants. Finally the third section is made up of long-lived trees that are permanent, highly interdependent, surviving in protection of dune and secondary species. 


6. Explain why vegetation is so important in stabilising sand dunes. 
Vegetation is important in stabilising sand dunes as it stops the wind from blowing the sand away and keeps the sand firm from being washed away by long shore transportation. 


7. What impact did cattle grazing have on the sand dune area?
Cattle grazing meant that the vegetation was lost and therefore the were no longer any plants to keep it firm/strong. 


8. Describe the changes to the sand dune area that would have occurred after cattle grazing. Identify the geographical processes that would have been altered as a result of the removal of vegetation from the dunes. 
The sand dune would have become less dense or firm and there would be great loss of sand due the the natural process of long shore transportation. 


9. Identify the groups involved in the rehabilitation program.
The groups involved in the rehabilitation of the sand dune were the Department of Lands, the Department of Public Works, the Macleay Shire Council and he Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales. 


10. Outline the stages involved in the management program undertaken to re-establish the coastal vegetation. 
The stages taken to re-establish the coastal vegetation included; using a tractor to form a small foredune, then they planted trees along the river band, then they planted the native seedlings between the foredune and the river band and finally once the plants were established coastal tertiary species. 


12. Use maps to explain the geographical process that would have caused the river mouth to silt up. 
The geographical processes that would have caused the Macleay River to silt up include; long shore transportation from the southern parts of the beach as well as wave refraction because the beach faces east. 


13. Evaluate the success of the revegation program in the following areas:
a) Stabilising the sand dunes. The stabilising of sand dunes through revegetation was an enormous success as the sand dunes are still standing strong. By using a multi-part system they made a successful stabilised dune. 
b) Protecting the Macleay River ecosystem. The success of protecting the Macleay River ecosystem was very true, they managed to replant native bushes and trees without causing harm to the dune system. They only issue was that Bitou Bush, a toxic weed that spread all of the fore and hind dunes. 
c) Benefiting groups from the local community. The community benefited immensely from this project. They now had a clear pathway which occasionally needs maintenance and a sand barrier to protect some properties. 


14. (power point presentation)