No dune restoration project is truly complete without the replenishment of native vegetation.  Native plants not only anchor sand in place, reducing erosion by wind and—to a lesser degree—waves; but they also trap wind-blown sand, thereby “growing” larger dunes.  The reintroduction of native vegetation helps to restore the beach/dune ecosystem.  Moreover, and of particular importance in Brevard County, native dune shrubs and grasses serve as a visual barrier for nesting marine turtles: an indication to mother turtles that their landward journey has ended and the time for nest digging has come.  Without such visual barriers, nesting turtles stand a higher risk of venturing onto A1A, a fortunately rare occurrence; but one not to be lightly dismissed.   

Brevard County is currently in the process of arranging for such a revegetation effort, one that will help to restore a healthy population of native plants to the over eighteen miles of beachfront where emergency dunes were constructed in 2005.  The contractor, Aquatic Plants of Florida, Inc., will plant a 12 foot strip of mixed native species.  The planting will occur seaward of the reconstructed dune’s crest, partially down its eastern bluff, but well above the mean high water line. 

A mix of species will be used to more closely approximate the conditions of a natural, undisturbed dune. Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) will account for approximately 75% of the planting.  Of the remaining 25%, 5% will be Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae), 5% will be Panicgrass (Panicum amarum), and the remaining 15% will consist of approximately equal numbers of the four following species:

In addition to being indigenous to Brevard County’s dunes, these plants share several other characteristics.  All are relatively short, so none will block views of the beach.  All are moderate- to fast-growing, an important factor in establishing a mature vegetative community on the dunes given the recent frequency of our coastal storms.  And when properly handled and installed, all have been observed to establish quickly after successfully enduring the transitional shock of transplantation from nursery containers to the dune environment. 

The actual installation of the native plants will be conducted with hand tools in order to minimize damage to the dunes.  While the specific details of staging areas and transport to planting sites have yet to be finalized, it has been determined that planting must proceed from south to north, in light of the higher likelihood of early turtle nests in the project’s southern regions.   

It is particularly important that the young plants not suffer from foot traffic.  Foot traffic damages dune plants, and habitual foot traffic kills them.  Once the pants are gone, the chances of dune erosion are greatly enhanced, even from relatively mild weather. 

Newly-planted vegetation is especially susceptible to damage.  While numerous “Keep Off the Dunes!” signs will be posted along the project’s length, locals can help by politely explaining the reasons for this rule—a rule common to all Atlantic Coast beaches—when presented with a suitable opportunity.