THE DUTCH FOREDUNES - INVENTORY AND CLASSIFICATION

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.