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Sand Dunes are important because
they preserve the natural character and provide erosion and
flood protection. Dunes and their native plant communities
make up part of the natural character of our New Zealand
Coastline. Dunes protect farmland from flooding and coastal
erosion from the sea. They contain important information
about the past in the form of beach sediments and vegetation
cover. Human damage to the sand dunes has destroyed much of
the past history and cultural sites are the worst affected
areas. They are fragile and easily damaged by human
activities. The removal of the dune plants has created
widespread exposure to wind erosion, especially those on the
seaward dunes. In this area in particular the sand has
moved further inland burying some farmland near the
shores.
The Marokopa community has
replanted some of the dunes with coastal plants in an effort
to ebb the erosion process on the seashore. The west coast
is the worst affected by the wind erosion.
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