A Case study: Braunton Burrow Dunes

Where is Braunton Burrows?

Braunton Burrows is a sand dune system on the North Devon coast

OS Map of Braunton Burrows

This is a detailed map of Braunton Burrows with features around it. This includes camp sites, Groyde Bay, golf courses, caravan parks ect. This makes Braunton Burrows a famous place for its sand dunes leading to tourism.

Species found around and in Braunton Burrows

Braunton Burrows is home to many different types of animal species, from the green back beetle to black adders, there is a wide range of rare animals living up and around the coastline.

What problems are humans causing?

The major impact on sand dunes in Braunton Burrows results from recreational use, destroying the vegetation which binds the sand, exposing bare sand to wind and wave attack which can ultimately result in the disappearance of the dune system.

Our sand dunes also face threats from both undergrazing which leads to dunes being taken over by scrub and, paradoxically, overgrazing, which causes excessive erosion.

Introduced plants which humans have layed, such as Michaelmas daisy, cause

problems too as they out compete the more delicate native sand dune pants.

Sand and gravel extraction from the estuary foreshore near Crow Point

Invasion by scrub and the loss of dune and slack grasslands and bare sand

Solutions for problems in Braunton Burrows

Evacuvation which, although it seems destructive, has created new wet slacks and enabled plants to re-colonise. Bushes and small trees are cut or removed and tall grass is mown to prevent plants such as thyme, lady’s bedstraw and orchids from becoming choked and lost.

Consideration has been given to public access requirements and a number of stiles and dog gates will be installed to ensure that people can move around the site with relative freedom.

During the 1970s invasion of coarse grasses were managed largely by rabbit grazing. Although this was a good management stratergy, more problems were

Problems and management in Braunton Burrows

Eroded pathsPaths stop erosion