So, what is this dune buggy?

Well, my research project consists of myself and my partner designing and constructing a research vessel to conduct field work on dunes - so it is basically a dune buggy.  My partner (RR) and I, as well as our superiors, feel that this a very important project to be working on because of its vital importance in dune preservation. 

 

Image 1  - Marine ecosystem in which many organisms

naturally reside
Taken from: http://www.imr.no/forskning/faggrupper/utbredelse_
og_trofiske_interaksjoner/en



Ecosystems are generally very stable environments that consist of many intertwined parts (see Images 1 and 2).  However, when outside influences are introduced into the ecosystem, they become very fragile and susceptible to damage.  This poses a problem to scientists wishing to research a particular environment.  Not only do they have to gain very specific data and analyze it carefully, but they must also worry about their impact on an environment. 





Image 2 - Food web that consists of many different
organisms feeding off one another
Taken from: http://ejad.best.vwh.net/java/population/facts_foodchain.html



The ecosystem that resides on a dune is no exception to this (see Images 3 and 4).  Dunes are very fragile environments even without human interaction from the effects of erosion due to weather.  However, when humans walk on dunes or do anything to disturb a dune, the effects of dune erosion and loss increase exponentially (see Images 5 and 6).  Studies have shown that there is a link between the amount of human interaction on a dune and the amount of indigenous species of dune grass as well as the size of the dune.  That is, as the amount of human interaction increases, the size of dunes and amounts of indigenous dune grass decreases.

Image 3 - Example of beach dune
Taken from: http://www.myrtlebeachnow.com/funstuff_wallpaper.cfm

Image 4 - Another example of a beach dune
Taken from: http://www.savethecape.com/



Image 5 - Picture of a dune taken in 2004.  This dune is already one-fourth
the size it was in 1992.
Taken from: http://www.nycaudubon.org/takeaction/local/plumb_beach.shtml





Image 6 - Image of the same dune taken three years later in 2007.  It is
obvious that the dune has signficantly decreased in size.
Taken from: http://www.nycaudubon.org/takeaction/local/plumb_beach.shtml



The basis for my project is formed around this issue.  My partner, Robert Rubiano, and I wish to design and construct a research vessel to be used by scientists that would be able to gather data and collect samples from a dune environment that would otherwise be harmed by regular human interaction and will be used during the day.  More specifically, our research vessel, which will most likely resemble that of a dune buggy, will be used to conduct research on dunes.  To ensure that there is no human interaction, we plan to design our vehicle in such a way that it will be able to be wirelessly operated.  This will allow the user to be away from the dune while still gathering data (see Image 7).
                     - Design Brief

Image 7 - Example of a wirelessly operated vehicle
Taken from: https://www.rkb.us/contentdetail.cfm?content_id=102717

However, this is a very broad idea that we have.  To make our lives a little easier, my partner and I have created a very detailed list of specifications and limitations that allow us to narrow down our ideas and come up with some very viable, specific ideas.  But that is to come at a later date.