Next time you come across seaweed and other debris washed up on the beach, known as wrack, remember that it’s not mere garbage. In fact, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of our stunning Ogunquit beaches in several ways:
Habitat and food source: Wrack serves as a habitat for various small organisms such as insects and crustaceans, which are essential food sources for shorebirds and other animals.
Protection from erosion: The thick layer of wrack acts as a buffer, absorbing wave energy that would otherwise contribute to coastline erosion, particularly during storms.
Nutrient source: As wrack decomposes, it releases nutrients into the beach ecosystem, fostering the growth of plants and other organisms.
Crystal Maynard’s July 14, 2023 article published by the US. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) delves into research aimed at studying beach wrack’s role in establishing a more resilient dune system. Highlighting the significance of this research, Maynard emphasizes the immense impact of storms on coastal communities, often resulting in billions of dollars in damages. Therefore, solutions such as wrack-cycling are imperative for the protection of these communities.
For further insights, you can access Crystal Maynard’s article at ERDC.
Photo by Allisa C at Unsplash
