The Use of Time-Lapse and Photography to Document the Effects of Seasonality on Dune Morphodynamic Evolution in Corolla, NC.

With climate change altering established seasonal and weather phenomena, understanding the behavior of barrier islands and the processes driving such physical changes, specifically within their dune zones, is crucial in promoting their resiliency. With myriad ecosystem services provided by dunes to coastal economies and wildlife habitat, promoting dune conservation will serve to advance the benefits of these systems, within a changing climate. Current findings by the Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, NC, suggest the significance of local aeolian transport in interplay with storm intensity in effecting dune stability, and that anthropogenic impacts, like the installment of wooden beach accesses versus paved walkways can either aid or harm the strength of these natural systems, falling on the decisions of local communities. We used Time-Lapse and standing Photography to monitor and document the morphodynamic evolution of 45m and 20m dune sections in Corolla, NC, within a one-year timescale. Monthly elevation measurements were established to quantitatively emphasize the processes being illustrated within the footage and photographs captured. We found that scarping recovery time aligned with the storm impact scale established by Sallenger (2000), and that summer and winter profiles matched understandings of seasonal variations: stronger wind and wave energy in the winter. This supports modern dune studies, providing visual demonstrations of subtleties within dune dynamics so to provide future guidance to coastal homeowners