III. Human Impacts
Coastal beaches along much of the MBNMS are eroding at a high rate (Griggs and Johnson 1979, Plant and Griggs 1991; and see Geology section). Adjacent coastal Flandrian cliffs (5,000 to 18,000
year old) are also eroding, by as much as 6 feet per year at Fort Ord.
Erosion is due to rising sea level on a geologic scale, and several much
more short-term human impacts. A sand budget deficit has been created due
to interception of longshore sand movement by jetties, sand mining and damming
of rivers, which has impeded sediment output to beaches (Monterey Bay Dunes
Coalition 1991).
Coastal dune communities are also directly impacted by human trampling,
horseback-riding, agriculture, one active and two retired sewer
processing plants, a freeway, trailer park and two hotels with more planned
(Monterey County Herald 1995b), and a planned desalination plant (Monterey
County Herald 1995a, c). Management of this ecosystem is complicated by
the numerous landholders and diversity of agencies, jurisdictions and goals
(Big Sur Land Trust 1992). However, major, long-term commitments of conservation
through restoration have been successful (Cowan 1975, 1995, Emery 1989,
Gray and Ferreira 1988) and have set the stage for ongoing
efforts at Asilomar (Willoboughy 1995), Moss Landing (ABA Consultants1992) and several other Monterey Bay locations (J. Dorrell-Canepa pers. comm.).
Next - Section IV. Selected
coastal dune community resources
Coastal Dunes Table of Contents
