As part of the level one Biology course there was a field trip to the dune system at Foxton Beach. 

The object of the exercise is to take measurements and observations to determine what, if any, effects we can see as a result of human activity. The assessment that follows on from this involves writing a report to relate our data to the observed effects. We use transect lines and quadrants to count plant species and their distribution. Data about wind speed, temperature, sand moisture content and pH is gathered using anemometers, thermometers, and other equipment.

We invariably find that even minimal human activity on the dunes appears to cause breakup of the plants growing on the fore dune and, once that happens, the dune appears vulnerable to the prevailing westerly and sand starts to blow inland with consequential breakdown of the next dune and so on leading to the destructive phenomenon of a ‘blowout’. This is the reason why Councils try to keep humans off the dunes in most places.

It was good to see several signs describing the work that students from Foxton Beach School have done in being involved in the replanting of the dunes in the area in front of the Surf Club and car park. An example of a group trying to reverse the negative effects of humans and their leisure activities!