Vander Bilt, Lucas, James Karsten and Deanna van Dijk (2014). "Natural and
anthropogenic influences on the dunes threatening the Syndicate Park subdivision.”
Annual Meeting of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Oakland
University (Rochester, MI), 28 February 2014.
Abstract: Natural and human interactions with coastal dunes have consequences for
both the dunes and humans. In the case of the Syndicate Park dune area located in Van
Buren County, Michigan, the dunes are threatening to bury several homes in a nearby
subdivision. Our study investigated the natural and anthropogenic features of the dunes
to provide information for management. We used GPS and GIS to inventory and map
dune features such as surface cover, blowouts, trails and locations of dune advance. We
also observed visitor activity in the dune area and administered questionnaires to visitors
and residents of the subdivision. Our results show many signs of dune area activity,
including surface cover dominated by bare sand and pioneering dune species, many
active blowouts, and almost 2 km of unmanaged trails. The most frequent activity of
visitors and local residents was using the beach, but approximately 40% of visitors do
climb on the dunes using the unmanaged trails. Off-road vehicles were commonly used
by subdivision residents for transportation to the beach. To reduce the threat of dunes
advancing towards houses, we recommend stabilizing the most active blowouts,
decreasing off-road vehicle impacts, and limiting pedestrian impacts to a managed trail
system.