CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Byrne, M-L.; and Dale, J.
Date : 2010.
Title : Comparison of winter sand transport at two Great Lake coastal dune locations in Point Pelee National Park and Sauble Beach, Ontario, Canada.
Publication : Prairie Summit - Le sommet des Prairies. Joint Conference of Canadian Association of Geographers, Canadian Cartographic Association, Canadian Geomorphology Research Group, Canadian Remote Sensing Society / Conférence conjointe de l’Association canadienne des géographes, l’Association canadienne de cartographie, le Groupe canadien de recherche en géomorphologie, la Société canadienne de télédétection. June 1 to 5, 2010. Regina, Saskatchewan.
Issue : Program and Abstract Volume.
Page(s) : 91.
Abstract
A study was initiated in 2009 to characterize the dune forming processes in Point Pelee National Park along Lake Erie and Sauble Beach in Lake Huron, Ontario. Both beaches have been heavily impacted by recreational use, have a finite sediment supply and are essentially closed during the winter season. Point Pelee is protected under Parks Canada legislation whereas a local volunteer group called Friends of Sauble Beach has adopted stewardship of that beach. There is active management at both locations.Our studies suggest that much of the landward movement of sand occurs during late winter with minimal summer transport. Sand becomes entrained within the ice foot during freeze-up. Sublimation and melt exposes the material and grain by grain movement of sand occurs in a landward direction. At Point Pelee, sands become trapped by a line of cottonwoods and the dune ridge. A former fence line acts as a barrier to sands moving back into the former parking lot except through blowouts in the ridge. The Sauble Beach dune ridge forms the same function as the treeline at Point Pelee and along with strategically placed snow fences has successfully trapped sand moving inland. Similarities in process exist at both locations, but pressures external to the beach/dune area require different strategies to sustainably manage the systems.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology