ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a basic introduction to dunes—what they are, how they form, the processes and elements involved, their function in the beach–dune system, and the ecological services they provide. It gives a brief overview of what is known about these landforms, emphasizing that understanding the physical and ecological processes of coastal dunes is only part of the picture. Information found in archives and recorded in parish registers, official reports, laws, personal memories, literary works, maps, and photographs shows that another layer should be considered when analyzing the dunes—their social and cultural dimension. Examining dunes from such perspective opens up new possibilities for learning about the role of humans in the evolution of coastal areas and the creation of socio-technical systems with unpredictable outcomes. Dunes offer the opportunity to combine the natural sciences and the humanities to address today’s coastal management challenges.
