# The Role of Trees in Sand Dune Rehabilitation: Insights from Global Experiences
## 1 Introduction
By stabilizing sand surfaces, this approach enables natural colonization and establishment of native flora [17]. Moreover, afforestation provides tangible benefits to local communities, such as fuelwood, shelter from wind, and protection of agricultural lands [18; 19; 20]. The use of highly resilient genotypes obtained in breeding programs and the conception of the most suitable species composition should ensure the achievement of forest lands restoration plans [21; 22; 23; 24; 25]. In recent centuries, many countries have introduced non-native tree species into coastal dune areas to develop foredunes, inhibit the migration of transgressive dunes, and control coastal erosion, often driven by economic motivations [26; 27; 28]. For example, in Portugal, _Pinus_ species were planted both to prevent inland dune expansion and for timber production [29]. Similarly, in South Korea, coastal forests have been established to shield villages and farmlands from strong winds and sand intrusion from beaches [30]. Several reviews have addressed sand dune ecology [31; 32; 33] and forest rehabilitation broadly [34; 35; 36; 37; 38], but no dedicated review has focused on the interface between trees and sand dunes. This represents a major knowledge gap given the increasing importance of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and land degradation neutrality Furthermore, no previous study has combined a systematic literature review with a bibliometric analysis to uncover trends, geographic patterns, and institutional knowledge networks in the domain of tree-based dune rehabilitation. This study aims to fill that gap by critically evaluating the global literature on the role of trees in sand dune rehabilitation. Through a combined traditional and bibliometric approach, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of afforestation strategies, commonly used tree species, and key outcomes related to soil improvement, vegetation dynamics, and socio-economic benefits. This article pursues the following specific objectives: (1) Global bibliometric analysis of ISI-indexed publications related to tree-based dune rehabilitation, including analysis of geographic distribution, publication trends, research institutions, journals, key authors, and keywords; (2) Identification and evaluation of commonly used tree species in sand dune afforestation programs worldwide, with an emphasis on species selection strategies, resilience traits, and ecological impact; (3) Assessment of key factors influencing afforestation success, including climatic variables, soil properties, biodiversity interactions, and socio-economic drivers or constraints; (4) Highlighting both positive and negative outcomes of tree-based dune rehabilitation on local ecosystems, groundwater levels, and long-term sustainability; (5) Proposing a set of best practices and recommendations for future afforestation projects that balance ecological restoration goals with human needs and climate adaptation imperatives. Our review provides a much-needed synthesis that links tree-based interventions with dune stabilization across diverse environmental settings. By addressing a global research gap and identifying critical success factors, this study offers a robust foundation for future interdisciplinary research, policy development, and applied restoration strategies. Given the increasing pressure of land degradation, especially in vulnerable dryland regions of Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe, more integrated afforestation planning--rooted in local context and scientific evidence--will be vital. We conclude by outlining key directions for future research, including the need for: (1) Long-term monitoring of afforestation projects under different climatic regimes; (2) Development of species mixtures that optimize both ecological resilience and community benefits; (3) Integration of remote sensing and modeling tools for site selection and performance evaluation; (4) Greater inclusion of socio-economic perspectives in dune management programs.