Post Emplacement Dune Evolution of Atlantic Coastal Dunes, Northwest Ireland.

Coastal sand dunes on the western seaboard of Ireland display a range of diverse morphologies that has largely developed after initial emplacement. Modification of the initial dune structure through natural and human processes has led to a complex and chaotic geomorphology within the dunes. Aerial photography and morphological mapping shows that a number of features exist that have not previously been recorded in the literature. The dune features recorded indicate that dune systems continue to evolve in a temporally erratic way once initial emplacement has taken place. Small pockets within the dunefield become disturbed then revegetate and stabilise. With each period of activity the height and angular nature of the dune forms decrease. Surface geomorphology potentially reflects various stages in an evolutionary pathway that ultimately results in a machair (sandy dune plain) topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]