Management of Great Lakes' Sandy Barriers: The Conceptual Challenges

by Reid Kreutzwiser, Univ of Guelph, Guelph, Canada,
Anthony Gabriel, Univ of Guelph, Guelph, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '91

Abstract:

Sandy barriers are dynamic, significant, and sensitive resource systems, comprising portions of the 18,000 km of Great Lakes shore. Use, development, and management of these features, however, have not adequately recognized various natural and human influences on their biophysical functioning. This paper articulates major conceptual challenges to more effective management of Great Lakes' sandy barriers. While effective shore management must incorporate a number of principles, it is argued that an adequate understanding of how shorelines respond to natural and human disturbances is fundamental. Notions of dynamic stability, spatial integrity, and temporal change are described as key conceptual challenges to effective management of sandy barriers. The ability of land use planning, environmental impact assessment, environmental management, and shore management arrangements in Ontario to meet these challenges is discussed.

Subject Headings: Coastal management | Lakes | Soil dynamics | Shores | Human and behavioral factors | Coastal processes | Water level | Great Lakes | Ontario | Canada

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