Dune Wars?

Dynamic Dunescapes is a huge project, ran by conservation charities and Natural England (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/apr/20/plantwatch-dunes-the-battle-to-save-the-uks-sandscapes). The motivation behind Dynamic Dunescapes is the fact that UK sand dunes have declined by one third since 1900. That decline is blamed on factors like a) 'invasion' by plants e.g. Sea buckthorn; b) nitrogen 'pollution', driving out the native dune plants and c) inappropriate fencing, reducing the dune's mobility. Dunes are, in deed, interesting places. A new dune is one of the few UK places, where one can find relatively pristine environments. Having said that, much of what is complained about, appears to result from the natural process of succession. Succession is the change in animal and plant life, as a location 'matures'. Certainly, some appreciated habitats require management to slow or prevent their transition. What is encouraged is a human choice. It would be unfortunate, however, if the only conserved dunes were those in their very earliest stages of development. A totally new dune is bereft of living organisms and not especially interesting (except as a 'blank canvas').