Study highlights the complex changes and threats facing Cornwall’s sand dunes
New research carried out by the University has developed a means of predicting dune evolution on a regional scale

Every dune system we studied is unique.
Miss Liane Brodie
PhD student on the Making Space for Sand project and study lead author
For many of the sandy beaches along the coast of Cornwall, application of the Bruun Rule using the sea-level rise we have experienced in the past two decades does not match what we have observed. Some shorelines are advancing despite rising sea levels, and others are retreating much faster than predicted. For us, it highlights the importance of considering every dune system on an individual basis rather than providing a generic prediction based on what might occur along a whole coastline. And that, in turn, underlines the importance of coastal monitoring to ensure shoreline predictions are regularly updated using up-to-date coastal observations.
Professor Gerd Masselink
Professor of Coastal Geomorphology
“This research on our dune systems is vital in helping us understand ways in which we can adapt and become more resilient to climate change while maintaining vibrant coastal communities.”