How does moving sand and sand dunes impact flooding risks?

Moving sand and sand dunes can significantly impact flooding risks primarily by removing natural barriers that protect inland properties. Sand dunes often serve as essential buffers against storm surges and high tides, acting like natural levees that absorb and deflect floodwaters away from populated areas. When these dunes are disturbed or eroded due to human activity, climate change, or natural events, their protective capacity is diminished, leading to a higher risk of flooding in the inland areas. This alteration can expose communities to increased vulnerability during storms and high water events, highlighting the vital role that these natural formations play in flood management and protection.

The other potential impacts, while relevant, do not directly address how dune movement affects flooding risk in the same way. For instance, creating higher flood barriers may be beneficial, but if sand dunes are compromised, this benefit is lost. Similarly, increased sedimentation in rivers could have various effects on river health and flow but does not specifically correlate to the immediate risks to inland properties as the loss of dune integrity does. Lastly, stating that there is no effect on flooding risks ignores the established understanding of the protective roles that sand dunes and similar natural barriers play in flood mitigation.