Povilanskas, R., Riepšas, E., Armaitienė, A., Dučinskas, K. and Taminskas, J. 2011. Shifting Dune Types of the Curonian Spit and Factors of Their Development. Baltic Forestry 17(2): 215-226

This paper analyzes the main natural and human factors that affect a current morphodynamic and ecological development of the Grand Curonian Dune Ridge. All shifting dune areas of the Grand Curonian Dune Ridge areclassified into four different types: 1) Equilibrium and various degradation risk areas. 2) Negative disequilibrium and high degradation risk areas. 3) Positive disequilibrium and high degradation risk areas. 3) Positive disequilibrium and low degradation risk areas. To ensure the long-term dune management sustainability, the linear functional zoning approach must replace the current perpendicular one in the management of the national parks of Kurshskaya kosa and Kuršių nerija. The shifting dune management should be based on the interpretation of the Curonian Spit as an interrelated system of linear littoral habitats. This interrelated system of the linear littoral habitats comprises the ridge of shifting barchans together with the adjacent windward strips of kupstynė and palvė. The management should focus on facilitating the dynamism of palvė by promoting responsible tourism there.

Keywords: shifting dunes, Curonian Spit, forest proliferation, linear littoral habitats