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Stéphane Vanhée

Bio: Stéphane Vanhée is an academic researcher from University of the Littoral Opal Coast. The author has contributed to research in topics: Storm & Aeolian processes. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 6 publications receiving 277 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, three experimental plots, covering the transition from the upper beach to the dune, on the North Sea coast of France were monitored at various intervals over a period of 18-24 months via high resolution terrain surveys in order to determine inter-site sand budget variability, as well as patterns and processes involved in sand exchanges between upper beach and dune.

135 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the results of four 30-minute experiments, conducted along topographically surveyed portions of the upper beach-dune toe profile, show that troughs act as extremely efficient sand interceptors, because of their permanently saturated state, which also inhibits sand mobilization.

48 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A 400m2 experimental plot, covering the transitional zone from the upper beach to the dune in Leffrinckoucke, on the southern North Sea coast of France, was monitored over 24 months via 9 high-resolution terrain surveys in order to determine the role of cost-effective and ecological brushwood fences (1.2m high, 4m long and spaced 3.5-6.7m apart) in sand accumulation on a fragile dune front subject to severe past erosion as discussed by the authors.

36 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an 18-month topographic survey was used to monitor conditions and patterns of embryo dune development over a flat 150-1000 m wide accreting upper beach.
Abstract: Sediment budget data from an 18-month topographic survey were analysed with data from brief experiments on wind parameters, beach moisture contents, bedforms and sand mobilization in order to monitor conditions and patterns of embryo dune development over a flat 150–1000 m wide accreting upper beach. The surface conditions over the upper beach locally affect aeolian transport, but net dune development over time depends on sustained strong winds and their orientation. Incoming marine sand supplied by storms and onshore winds is reorganized by the dominant offshore to longshore winds into elongated embryo dunes over this upper beach, imprinting a regional morphology of long-term longshore dune ridge development. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

35 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, aeolian transport conditions on a macro-tidal ridge and runnel beach in northern France were monitored over two 30-minute experiments, representing respectively conditions of onshore and offshore to shore-parallel wind flow.
Abstract: The aeolian transport conditions on a macro-tidal ridge and runnel beach in northern France were monitored over two 30-minute experiments, representing respectively conditions of onshore and offshore to shore-parallel wind flow. Several anemometers, a portable weather station, acoustic grain impact counters (saltiphones), temperature and ground moisture probes, and aeolian sand traps were deployed in order to determine the effects of topographic, moisture and bedform variations on aeolian sand transport. The instruments were deployed across a ridge/runnel/ridge system on the mid- to upper beach, and on the upper beach terrace linking this ridge and runnel system to the dune front. The results show that the near-ground wind velocities are slowed by the pronounced ridge and runnel topography of the upper beach. The ridge and runnel system segments the fetch, whatever the wind direction. The experiment involving an onshore wind was associated with negligible rates of sand trapping in spite of suitab...

22 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review successful implementation of ecosystem engineering species in coastal protection for a sandy shore and propose a framework to select the appropriate measures based on the spatial and temporal scale of coastal protection, resulting in a dynamic interaction between engineering and ecology.

453 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Interdisciplinary research among scientists, coastal managers and engineers is required to facilitate the experimental trials needed to test the value of nature-based coastal defence schemes, in order to support their use as alternatives to artificial structures.
Abstract: Climate change is increasing the threat of erosion and flooding along coastlines globally. Engineering solutions (e.g. seawalls and breakwaters) in response to protecting coastal communities and associated infrastructure are increasingly becoming economically and ecologically unsustainable. This has led to recommendations to create or restore natural habitats, such as sand dunes, saltmarsh, mangroves, seagrass and kelp beds, and coral and shellfish reefs, to provide coastal protection in place of (or to complement) artificial structures. Coastal managers are frequently faced with the problem of an eroding coastline, which requires a decision on what mitigation options are most appropriate to implement. A barrier to uptake of nature-based coastal defence is stringent evaluation of the effectiveness in comparison to artificial protection structures. Here, we assess the current evidence for the efficacy of nature-based vs. artificial coastal protection and discuss future research needs. Future projects should evaluate habitats created or restored for coastal defence for cost-effectiveness in comparison to an artificial structure under the same environmental conditions. Cost-benefit analyses should take into consideration all ecosystem services provided by nature-based or artificial structures in addition to coastal protection. Interdisciplinary research among scientists, coastal managers and engineers is required to facilitate the experimental trials needed to test the value of these shoreline protection schemes, in order to support their use as alternatives to artificial structures. This research needs to happen now as our rapidly changing climate requires new and innovative solutions to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities to an increasingly uncertain future.

227 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the critical drivers that determine the persistence and maintenance of sandy coastal habitats around Europe's coastline, taking particular interest in their close link with the biological communities that inhabit them.

149 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors employed a terrestrial laser scanner to monitor aeolian surface moisture variability during a three and a half hour period after a rain event and investigated relationships between bedform development, surface roughness and surface moisture.
Abstract: Ephemeral aeolian sand strips are commonplace on beaches. Their formation during high energy sand transport events often precedes the development of protodunes and their dynamics present interesting feedback mechanisms with surface moisture patterns. However, due to their temporary nature, little is known of their formation, mobility or the specifics of their interaction with beach surface characteristics. Similarly surface moisture has an important influence on sediment availability and transport in aeolian beach systems, yet it is difficult to quantify accurately due to its inherent variability over both short spatial and temporal scales. Whilst soil moisture probes and remote sensing imagery techniques can quantify large changes well, their resolution over mainly dry sand, close to the aeolian transport threshold is not ideal, particularly where moisture gradients close to the surface are large. In this study we employed a terrestrial laser scanner to monitor beach surface moisture variability during a three and a half hour period after a rain event and investigated relationships between bedform development, surface roughness and surface moisture. Our results demonstrate that as the beach surface dries, sand transport increases, with sediment erosion occurring at the wet/dry surface boundary, and deposition further downwind. This dynamic structure, dependent upon changing surface moisture characteristics, results in the formation of a rippled sand strip and ultimately a protodune. Our findings highlight dynamic mobility relationships and confirm the need to consider transient bedforms and surface moisture across a variety of scales when measuring aeolian transport in beach settings. The terrestrial laser scanner provides a suitable apparatus with which to accomplish this.

136 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, three experimental plots, covering the transition from the upper beach to the dune, on the North Sea coast of France were monitored at various intervals over a period of 18-24 months via high resolution terrain surveys in order to determine inter-site sand budget variability, as well as patterns and processes involved in sand exchanges between upper beach and dune.

135 citations