Shoreline erosion is a growing concern in the Great Lakes area, especially after having record high lake levels in the past few years. Beach Grass, also known as Marram Grass, is quite symbolic of Michigan shorelines. Anyone that has walked the beaches of the Great Lakes can visualize the normal crossing of a region of beach grass between inland habitats and the water’s edge. It is also a highly beneficial plant in mitigating shoreline erosion.
Given its preference for sand dunes and expansive root structures, this native plant is a key element in protecting Michigan’s dune habitats. Observations noted at Michigan’s popular Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes recorded the rhizomes may grow as much as 2.4m (7.9 ft) in a single year. These rhizomes from separate plants end up entangling each other to form an “underground netting” of sorts to help mitigate shoreline erosion.
On a beach walk some years ago, I was noting the significant erosion on this Lake Michigan beach and the interesting structure of these entangled rhizome nets. It is quite obvious the role they play in stabilizing at least a portion of the shoreline.
The US Army Corps of Engineers recognizes this also. In their National Shoreline Management study, they make note of native vegetation as a cost-effective and resilient investment compared to hardened shoreline methods.
The Great Lakes have generally had naturally fluctuating water levels. The aspects of climate change don’t necessarily mean constantly rising or falling lake levels. Rainfall and severe storm events have increased precipitation, but that is only one of the many factors that impact lake levels. Scientists do seem to think lake levels could become more volatile in the future, subject to extreme swings in short periods of time.
There are short-term thinking examples in people who have hauled in tons of sand to cover exposed rocky beachfront when lake levels were low, only to have it all washed away when the cycle swings back to high levels again. And people building seawalls and other hardened structures to have it stand out like a sore thumb when the lake levels drop. All of this suggests making more natural shorelines, able to adapt to change, a much wiser strategy.
If I did own lakefront property, I’d take a rolling dune of beach grass over a metal seawall or pile of giant boulders any day.
photography notes: I’ve been exploring and thinking more about the realm of color grading lately. These are a couple of examples of some recent efforts. This harmonious combination of blue/green shifts somehow resonated with me as it portrayed in color tones the somber mood of a quiet, cloudy walk on one of our Great Lake beaches. I’ve always wanted for such shifts to feel organic to the photograph vs. some type of Instagram-influenced gimmick. This specific color grade may only exist for just these few photos or maybe it will define a collection. I am not sure yet.
Now I see from your reply to Howard that it was color grading in LR you’re playing with – I’ve been enjoying that, too. I’ve been finding that for landscapes in particular working with highlights, shadows, and midtones, then blending and balancing them, can bring more life into an image. So many possibilities! 😉
It can be fun exploring the possibilities – especially if a certain color is appearing too dominant and distracting.
The soft colors are lovely, Mark, and the discussion about the role of beach grasses is excellent. I like the way we can see that netted root or rhizome structure in the photos. When we get strong winter windstorms here lots of things get rearranged, which can look alarming. But as you said, caring in sand or building a hard structure isn’t the answer. We just need to look at what’s already there and try to work with it.
Interesting read for me as I know very little about the Lakes and how climate change is affecting them. I always seem to learn something from your posts. And, yes on the “somber mood of a quiet.”
I have a feeling we will be learning about the impacts of climate change on the lakes for many years to come given they are such dynamic systems. Thanks Monte, glad I could provide some insight.
I’m wasn’t concerned about color grading. Now I am…
it’s really quite a fascinating world in developing photos to explore
I enjoyed this but got it at the intro price when it first came out.
https://f64elite.com/palette-effects-panel/
I’ll check it out. I am a bit upset Adobe removed access to the Kuler extension which I used a lot in exploring color harmonies. I’d like to see something integrated into PS/LR along the lines of the Adobe Color site. Maybe this extension you link to does something similar?
I’m a big fan of a bunch of internet courses. Jim Welninski has done great color courses as well. I don’t have it in front of me at the moment as I’m away.
When you get a moment, can you recommend some?
Sure. Let me message you via FB a bit later today.
I quite like the color grading! Interesting how life has evolved in locations and all fits into a unified balance. Until humans screw it up.
I remember you writing about using the camera profile/calibration settings and color grading. I didn’t use that here, just the Color Grade panel in LR, but have your suggestion in my head as an alternative.