Aeolian Dynamics along Scraped Shorelines, Bogue Banks, North Carolina

Aeolian transport rates were measured for six months (March–September 1999) at paired scraped and natural shorelines on Bogue Banks, North Carolina. Although wave action was principally responsible for dune volume losses at scraped shorelines, substantial aeolian losses were observed. Beach scraping induced rapid onshore aeolian sediment movement by increasing sediment availability, altering dune morphology, denuding dune foreslopes and modifying dune sediment characteristics. In response to prevailing onshore winds, net transport of sediments across the foredune crest was 1.54 × 10−3 m3/m/day, resulting in dune growth at scraped locations. Dune planting with American beach-grass (Ammophila breviligulata) did not substantially reduce aeolian transport rates at a scraped beachfront. Minimization of aeolian losses at scraped dunes by installation of sand fencing is desirable from a management perspective. Accelerated dune migration and depletion of the longshore sediment budget are potential long-term effects of scraping-induced onshore sediment flux on Bogue Banks.