November 6, 2012: The Importance of Sand Dunes

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John R Sand Dunes 110612(final audio).mp3

If you regularly visit the beach in the summer, than you have surely noticed the sand dunes that line the Maryland and Delaware shore. We all know what a dune is, but how are they formed, and why are they so important not only to the health of our coastal habitats, but for the safety and protection of our beachfront communities?   Dunes provide a natural barrier for the ocean and can slow or prevent coastal flooding, provide protection from high winds and damaging storms, and prevent saltwater from reaching inland, threatening farming and ground water supplies.