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Author: Bailey Wallace
Author: Bailey Wallace
Introduction
Introduction
Washover fans occur when either storm surge or sea level rise push water through weaker or lower points of dunes. When this happens the water carries and redistributes sediment. This sand deposit forms a fan-like sand flat that moves into the salt marsh or coastal bay behind the dune. They are a free ecosystem service created by coastal storms.
Washover fans occur when either storm surge or sea level rise push water through weaker or lower points of dunes. When this happens the water carries and redistributes sediment. This sand deposit forms a fan-like sand flat that moves into the salt marsh or coastal bay behind the dune. They are a free ecosystem service created by coastal storms.
Washover fans are an important barrier island ecosystem. They provide many animals with the perfect habitat to reproduce and nest.
Washover fans are an important barrier island ecosystem. They provide many animals with the perfect habitat to reproduce and nest.
Distribution & Ecological Features
Distribution & Ecological Features
Barrier islands are located all around the world hence washover fans are also located all over the coasts of the world. The distribution of barrier islands around the world can be seen below as the bold black lines indicate. Since washover fans are a relatively temporary feature that occurs frequently on barrier islands, they can be hard to keep up with. Storm surge and sea level rise create new washover fans with ease all the time and inundation and vegetation can quickly cover the area again given the right circumstances.
North Carolina specifically is famous for its Outer Banks. The Outer Banks are essentially one big delicate string of barrier islands that contain multiple washover fans. As you can see below, the barrier islands of the Outer Banks are always shifting, moving and changing due to their temporary nature.
Image Sources:
Issues, Human Impacts & Conservation
Issues, Human Impacts & Conservation
It is easy to see washover fans as an issue itself because it facilitates the destruction of dunes but these are natural processes that happen in coastal ecosystems.
Coastal development is a huge issue with both barrier islands and washover fans. Humans that live along the coast make permanent structures on frequently changing lands; this undoubtedly will cause issues. To avoid erosion and destruction of these human made structures we have constantly tried creating artificial dunes and shore walls. While creating artificial dunes and other erosion structures might seem like a good thing, it is a money draining, time consuming task and is ultimately unproductive. Coastlines were meant to change, mold and shift dramatically and frequently. Artificial dunes can also make it difficult for natural washover fans to form. Further creating a threat to the ecosystem as well as the animals that inhabit these areas.
Flora & Fauna
Flora & Fauna
Washover fans provide many animals the perfect habitat. Sea turtles and sea birds of all sorts use washover fans as nesting grounds and create what is called washover nests. Since the area is moist yet barren of plants, it provides them with a safe open area to lay their eggs and be able to see and protect their offspring from predation. Usually these areas are undisturbed. Many endangered animals call this ecosystem home including logger head sea turtles, piping plovers, sea beach amaranth and many other animals such as crabs and other crustaceans that provide turtles and birds a food resource. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are famous for their wild horses that have been isolated from man for the part for over 400 years. They are descendants of wild Spanish Mustangs. that were brought over during colonial years.
Check Out These Cool Videos on Washover and Barrier Islands
Check Out These Cool Videos on Washover and Barrier Islands
Web Resources for Audience to Explore
Web Resources for Audience to Explore
Educator's Guide to Folly Beach: Island Rollover
This webpage was designed to be a brief description and explanation of Folly Beach, South Carolina. It describes the process of barrier island creation and how it continues on in either prograde or retrograde.
USACE - Barrier Island Ecosystems
This website gives a great description of main barrier island ecosystems as well as the flora and fauna that inhabit those areas.
National Park Service - Washover Fans
The National Park Service gives a great description of washover fans and why they are so important to the survival of the endangered pipping plover.
How Stuff Works - Barrier Island Habitats
This webpage gives great detail on the types of barrier island habitats as well as the the flora/fauna that live in each area. It even gives a description of the food web of the area.
Geogia Southern University - Washover Nests
This webpage details overwash and why it is important for sea turtle nesting behaviors featuring the loggerhead sea turtle.
Resources
Resources
http://www.eillu.com/historical-inlets-outer-banks/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overwash
http://oceanica.cofc.edu/An%20Educator%27sl%20Guide%20to%20Folly%20Beach/guide/process4.htm
https://www.nps.gov/articles/washover-fans.htm
https://cosm.georgiasouthern.edu/seaturtles/nests/washover-nests/
https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/conservation/issues/barrier-island2.htm
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