Ecological Functions of Vegetation-Induced Micro Topography (VMTF) for Wind Erosion Mitigation — A Case Study of Niginohama Beach, Japan
摘要
In recent years, global beach erosion has intensified, presenting severe challenges for the sustainable management and conservation of coastal environments. To address this issue, we conducted a 16-month investigation at Niginohama Beach in western Fukuoka, integrating RTK-GNSS surveys, grain-size analyses, vegetation coverage assessments, and in situ wind measurements. Within the study area, we identified Vegetation-induced Micro Topographic Features (VMTFs)—micro-dunes formed and stabilized through interactions between wind forces and plant root systems. The results demonstrated that vegetation coverage fluctuated seasonally and showed a strong positive correlation with changes in beach volume. VMTFs substantially modified airflow, reduced near-surface wind velocities, and promoted localized sediment deposit. Grain-size analyses further indicated well-sorted, fine-grained distributions regulated by vegetation and microtopography. These findings highlight the central role of VMTFs in stabilizing sandy coasts and demonstrate their broader relevance to wind-dominated coastal systems worldwide. Looking forward, the incorporation of VMTFs into “green infrastructure” approaches provides a promising, ecologically grounded strategy to mitigate erosion and support sustainable coastal management.