Changes of coastal dune landscapes in Estonia

Coastal landscapes are strongly affected by their geomorphology, based on the character of deposits and moisture conditions. The main influences on the aeolian ecosystems of coastal areas are heavy winds, salt spray and lack of nutrients. An increase in the frequency of storms in coastal waters may result in the erosion of beaches that were previously stable or prograding. Coastal dune ecosystems are in different stages of vegetation succession and soil development. At present coastal dune landscapes are being rapidly changed by waves and human impact. In the last decade, research on the geomorphologic changes of the coast in Estonia has been quite noteworthy, but the associated changes in ecosystems have been little considered. The main problem for coastal dunes landscape is the decrease of natural habitats due to afforestation, recreation and building. In this paper our attention is focused on changes of Estonian coastal dune landscapes during the last one hundred years.