Aeolian transport of sand onto the foredunes is of importance with res
pect to the sediment budget of the coastal system. A classification of
foredune types has been made, based on development, management and ae
olian activity, using aerial photographs and a morphometric database.
This classification provides insight into the occurrence and extent of
natural processes in the foredunes, and will serve as a tool for calc
ulation of a sediment budget. in only a few places along the Dutch coa
st, the foredunes are formed completely by natural processes: the majo
rity are to some extent influenced by man. Although in many places aeo
lian processes are suppressed by man, their role in foredune developme
nt is important either in supply or in redistribution of sand. Geograp
hical variation in aeolian processes results from a variation in manag
ement, vegetation, topography and effective wind climate.