Coastal protection: a job for nature itself

Planting marram grass will improve sand retention. And to limit drift sand nuisance in the areas behind, windbreaks will be installed.

Natural drift fences

Van Aalsburg works with natural drift fencing, made of fine driftwood (willow branches). "The brushwood, 80 to 250 cm high, is buried in rows in the sand. Under the influence of water and wind, new sand deposition takes place," explains Dick van Aalsburg. "The sand that accumulates against the drift fences over the years forms new dunes." Van Aalsburg often works on behalf of Rijkswaterstraat (RWS) and the Water Boards on Dutch and Belgian islands and beaches and on the Maasvlakte. "The combination of drifting fences and marram grass is a proven way to retain the coast, the sand. So we can protect nature with nature. That's what we're all about." The use of marram grass and drifting fences in coastal areas is also intended to reduce the nuisance caused by drifting sand for nearby (streetcar) traffic, for example.

Encourage spontaneous dune formation with marram grass

In an experiment conducted by the Agency for Maritime Services and the Coast in cooperation with KULeuven, a study is being conducted on the beach of Ostend to determine which planting pattern of marram grass most stimulates the spontaneous formation of dunes. After all, coastal protection is partly a job for nature itself, the researchers believe. Different patterns and densities of marram grass plants were placed in six areas of twenty square meters each. The test set-up will have to show how the greatest possible effect can be achieved with as little effort as possible. "In this project in Ostend -of which this research is a part- we set to work with a large team to plant the marram grass and place the drift fences," explains Dick. "Physically hard work, the people also take turns. And where it can be done mechanically we do it." Van Aalsburg even built a special machine for it that can relieve the heavy work, especially on flat stretches. Dick says: "We are always working on sustainable projects with sustainable use of people and equipment. It is then great when you see that even from abroad our way of protecting the coast is being looked at." Dick concludes, "I have shared my know-how in Denmark where several kilometers of drift fences have now been installed with their own willow branches. Beautiful I think."