Modelling Dunes from Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Brazil): Largest dune field in South America

Researchers have identified a negative volumetric balance of erosion and a dominant wind-driven sediment transport pattern in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil. This finding sheds light on the dynamic processes shaping one of South America's largest dune fields, located at the intersection of three major neotropical ecosystems. The study utilized advanced geodetic techniques, including multi-temporal satellite imagery and high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, to create a detailed digital elevation model (DEM). Annual surface surveys conducted between 2015 and 2017 revealed the complex dynamics of dune formation, challenging conventional mapping methods due to their limitations in precision and cost-effectiveness. The results provide critical insights into coastal erosion patterns and sediment movement, offering a foundation for further studies on dune evolution in this ecologically significant region.

dos Santos, A. L. S., Borges, H. P., Silva Junior, C. H. L., Piedade Junior, R. N., & da Silva Bezerra, D. (2019). Modelling Dunes from Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Brazil): Largest dune field in South America. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43735-0