Sand dunes act as buffers to erosion. When the dunes are intact, they form a physical barrier, a dune line or dune field, which acts like a sea wall by providing protection from wind and waves. Breaks in the dune line expose low-lying back areas to potential damage from strong winds coming off Lake Superior. Shifts in dunes and breaks in dune line can occur in just a few hours. If a blow hole forms in a dune line, up to 3,000 cubic feet of sand can shift during a single storm.
Vegetation can help prevent dune erosion.
Therefore, revegetation of dunes is important in stabilizing windblown sand. As the plants grow, their roots hold the sand in place and their tops decrease the wind velocity at the soil line, thus reducing sand movement. It is a challenge to establish vegetation in sand. Plants should be mulched, watered, and fertilized for the first year. Plants that grow naturally on dunes will give the best results.