Impact of Devegetation and Dune Migration on the Texas Barrier Islands

Summary

This project was conducted on South Padre Island, Texas and designed to clarify the relationship between the composition and vigor of native vegetation and rates of dune migration on the barrier islands. Information and technology developed during the first phase of the study is used to develop improved remote sensing techniques suitable for the detection and assessment of destabilized dune areas on the barrier islands and to develop thematic maps designed to assess the "risk" and probable impact of dune migration under a given set of environmental conditions   Achievement of these objectives provide significant new knowledge relating to the interactions of native vegetation and the phenomenon of dune migration, and new techniques useful in developing or implementing management or remedial strategies.