Vegetation Planting Can Worsen Dune Erosion in Extreme Storms, Study Finds

Newly planted vegetation on coastal sand dunes can accelerate erosion from extreme waves, according to a study involving researchers from the Oregon State University College of Engineering. The findings run counter to the widely accepted paradigm that vegetation always acts to reduce erosion on dunes, the first line of storm defense for landscapes that are among the world's most ecologically important and economically valuable. The research is crucial because the United States coastline is dotted with communities trying to protect themselves from storms by planting vegetation on dunes in an attempt to make the dunes higher and more stable.