Dune stabilization in Queensland,Australia, using vegetation and mulches

Coastal dunes in Queensland are usually vegetated because climatic conditions favour the growth of dune plants. Occasionally extreme climatic conditions, e.g. gales, droughts, wave erosion, or man's activities, e.g. grazing, access, development, destroy dunal vegetation and onshore winds move sand inland, accelerating coastal erosion. Replacement of vegetation is indicated in severe cases. The paper described trials done on Stradbroke Island into methods of re-establishing vegetation on dunes using different surface mulch treatments, including organic materials (straw and brush), and spray-on emulsions (bitumen, P.V.A. mineral oil-synthetic latex). All treatments (except the oil-latex emulsion) allowed ready establishment of vegetation. The bitumen and P.V.A. treatments could be used to replace the traditional organic mulches, subject to certain conditions. Data is presented on climate, soil temperatures, resistance to wind erosion plant ground covers and densities.Presented during the Seventh International Biometeorological Congress, 17–23 August 1975, College Park, Maryland, USA.