Vegetated sand ridges called dunes, built by dry beach sand blown inland and trapped by plants and other obstructions, behind most beaches. As sand accumulates, dunes become taller and wider. Plants play a vital role in this process, acting as windbreaks and trapping deposited sand particles. A characteristic of these plants is their ability to grow in sand and continually produce new stems and roots as more sand is trapped and the dune grows. Stable sand dunes play an important role in protecting the coastline. They act as a buffer against wave damage during storms, protecting the land behind from saltwater intrusion. This sand barrier allows the development of more complex plant communities in areas protected from saltwater flooding, sea spray and strong winds. The dunes also act as a reservoir of sand, to replenish and maintain the beach during periods of erosion. Frontal sand dunes are vulnerable. Vegetation can be destroyed by natural causes such as storms, cyclones, droughts or fires, or by human interference such as land clearing, grazing, vehicles or excessive foot traffic. If the vegetation cover is damaged, high winds can cause “blowouts” or breaches in the dune crest. Unless repaired, these increase in size, with the entire dune system sometimes migrating inland, covering everything in its path. At the same time, with a reduction in the sand reservoir, beach erosion can lead to coastal retreat. To avoid this, protecting vegetation is vital. The beach, between high tides and low tides, is resilient but the sensitive dunes, which we cross to access it, must also be protected. For this reason, damaged and sensitive dunes may need to be fenced off and access tracks provided for vehicles and people. Processes such as waves, coastal currents and tides continually modify shorelines. The ability of beaches to sustain themselves is achieved through these natural forces. The natural process of beach regeneration, sometimes called dynamic equilibrium, is how the beach responds to weather conditions. When waves are strong during storms or when hurricanes hit the shore, sand is washed from the beach and deposited on the ocean floor. This makes the ocean floor flatter and the waves break farther from shore and smaller. During subtle weather conditions or erosion, smaller waves slowly bring sand back to shore and replenish the beach. When people build...... middle of paper ...... they have already spent almost $100 million dredging sand from the ocean. ground and throw it over 33 miles of coastline. Ocean City Beach was renovated in 1982 for five million dollars, but was washed away in just two and a half months. When the beach dwellers demand that something be done about the erosion of the beach dunes, and all the money is spent on despicable efforts to stop Mother Nature. , a storm or hurricane will come and wipe out the development. Then, billions of dollars are spent rebuilding coastal homes and resorts, creating a repeating cycle of economic and environmental idiocracy. One day, in a better society, we will save our beaches from development so that everyone is free to enjoy them optimally. natural state and without..