Rehabilitating the Guincho-Cresmina Coastal Dune System

Key Learnings

• Using native species: Native vegetation plays an important role in stabilising dunes and reducing erosion. Re-introducing native species is essential for ecosystem restoration and enhancing ecosystem resilience to extreme conditions along the coastline.
• Continuous monitoring is essential for evaluating intervention success and if necessary, adjusting strategies, while considering the observations made and results collected.
• Engagement of the local community and stakeholders: Promoting awareness-raising initiatives such as the removal of invasive alien species, maintaining walkways and planting native species, helps to create a sense of responsibility and belonging, as well as a support network for the long-term conservation of the dune ecosystem.

Summary

The rehabilitation of the Guincho-Cresmina dune system with natural solutions provided valuable lessons on how to integrate nature and sustainable design into coastal management. The choice of native plants, public use management, continuous monitoring and community involvement are essential to the success of ecological restoration. The main learnings indicate that the restoration of native vegetation and adaptive management are crucial to ensuring the resilience of the dunes. The rehabilitation of the dune system is aligned with climate change adaptation and environmental conservation policies, reflecting a commitment to minimising the impacts of climate change and protecting biodiversity, guaranteeing a sustainable future for this vital ecosystem.

Contact

Project manager, Bárbara Coelho, Cascais Ambiente, barbara [dot] coelhocascaisambiente [dot] pt (barbara[dot]coelho[at]cascaisambiente[dot]pt)

Invest4Nature project: Andreas Turk, Joanneum Research, andreas [dot] turkjoanneum [dot] at (andreas[dot]turk[at]joanneum[dot]at)