CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Bitton, M.; and Byrne, M-L.
Date : 2005.
Title : Preliminary steps for establishing long-term GIS studies of coastal dunes.
Publication : 2005 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Denver, Colorado, April 5-9, 2005.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
A coastal trough blowout was studied in Pinery Provincial Park between 1999-2001, and has been remapped annually as part of a long-term monitoring study. The park’s dunes are located on Lake Huron's western shoreline, where the sediment budget was rapidly increasing due to recent drops in Great Lakes water levels, thus allowing for a greater amount of exposed sand. It was hypothesized that the increased sediment supply may provide a catalyst for increased foredune development and increased volumes of sand transporting through the blowout. However, the dividing foredune ridge may interrupt the aeolian sediment transport. The following key research objectives were pursued through this study: Initial field observations included erosion pin and sand trap measurements to monitor and verify morphological changes found when comparing three-dimensional maps; three-dimensional maps were utilized to identify annual changes of erosion and deposition to the blowout and foredune morphology; and thirdly, a database of the three-dimensional data was established. The initial mapping results were supported by the sand trap and erosion pin measurements. The increased sediment supply provided a means for increased foredune growth and increased volumes of sand transporting through the blowout. As lake levels stabilized, the amount of deposition in the lee and lakeward side of the foredune has decreased significantly. Minor changes have since been recorded through the blowout throat.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology