The area discussed in this unit are the Stuarts Point, sand dunes. It is located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales about 460km north of Sydney.
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The local community has a large part in managing the sand dune ecosystem by all working together to achieve the goal of revegetating the Stuart's Point sand dune. They help by volunteering to plant and take care of the plants growing there and also can help by staying away from the dunes to allow revegetation to continue without disturbing it (eg. stepping on plant, disrupting sand movements, etc.)
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The sand dune area is so important to the people of Stuarts point as much of the areas fishing and tourism industry is located within the vicinity of the dune. Another reason it is important as there are many expensive waterfront luxury home lining the area. If the dune was destroyed both homes and tourism would of taken most of the effects of not having the dune anymore.
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The sand dunes have several section to them in which the plants were planted in. The first section is for primary species such as grasses and creepers. The second section is for secondary species such as shrubs and short-lived trees. The third and final section is for tertiary species such as long-lived trees.
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Vegetation is so important in stabilising sand dunes because the plant roots dig into the sand and actually fixes the sand. It allows the sand to be locked in place by the plants and will not blow away.
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The cattle grazing on the sand dune made the fragile vegetation to be destroyed. It was either stepped on or eaten plants which were very young and very venerable other things such as the cows.
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The changes that would of occurred after the cattle grazing would of been a barren open sand dune on which there would be no vegetation. The sand would of been exposed which was easily moved by the wind. Deposition would of been heavily used to transport the unprotected sand dune.
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The groups involved in the rehabilitation were the Stuarts Point Progress Association, the Soil Conservation Service of NSW, the local Stuarts Point community, Department of land, Department of Public Works and the Macleay Shire Council.
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The first stage involved using a tractor to form a small foredune. On top of this a dune-forming fence was constructed. It was then stabilised with coastal spinifex and marram grass. The second stage involved planting trees along the riverbank to stabilise the western margin of the area. They then planted native seedlings in the area between the foredune and the riverbank. Then fast growing wattle were planted then coastal tertiary species were planted.
12.The geograpahical process that would of caused the river mouth to silt up is longshore transportation as well as deposition. The sand had been continuously been deposited into the river mouth causing it to silt up and close off completely.
13.
a. The stabilisation of the sand dunes was a great success as sand movement is almost nearly non evident these days
b.The Macleay River ecosystem was protected as many animals had homes again after the revegetation but the noxious Bitou bush is taking over the area and will soon take over the whole dune.
c. This has benefited groups from the community as the fishing and tourism industry has been protected and helps this community in many ways.
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