Foredune

Synonyms

Beach ridge; Frontal dune; Primary dune; Transverse dune

Definition

A foredune is a shore-parallel dune ridge that forms on the back beach of an ocean, estuary, or bay by aeolian depositional processes (Hesp, 1988; Nordstrom, 1992; Nordstrom and Jackson, 1994).

Description

As part of a dune system, the foredune is located closest to the water body. Vegetation in the backshore plays an important role in the accumulation and retention of sand to form the dune ridge. Plant succession occurs as the dune develops. Foredunes often exhibit different morphologies (from convex ridges to flat terraces) and variable ecological characteristics (Hesp, 1988). As the foredune enlarges, it traps more windblown sand and hence can expand rather rapidly.

There are two main types of foredunes: incipient and established types (Hesp, 2002). Incipient foredunes are new or embryo dunes formed by sand deposition within discrete vegetation (e.g., Ammophila, Ipomoea, and Spinifex) from the immediate...