Coastal sand dune system
Mauri Compass · DCI National Standard

Dune Health Survey
Educational Portal

Learn to assess coastal sand dune health using the Dune Condition Index. Prepare for field surveys, identify native and invasive plants, and calculate DCI scores.

Understanding the System

Dune Zones & Survey Tiers

A healthy dune system transitions through four distinct ecological zones from the ocean edge to the inland buffer. The DCI measures health across three survey tiers of increasing detail.

Dune Zone Cross-Section — Ocean to Land
Strandline

Wrack, debris, first plant colonisers

Zone 1
Foredune

Pīngao, Spinifex, active sand movement

Zone 2
Mid-dune

Coprosma, tussock, stable slopes

Zone 3
Backdune

Harakeke, pōhutukawa, sheltered

Zone 4
← OCEANLAND →

Three Survey Tiers

Quick Scan

5 min

6 pressure indicators. Traffic light result: Healthy, Stressed, or Degrading.

Standard DCI

15 min

8 pressure + 5 state indicators. Full percentage score and band.

Full Transect

45 min

All indicators plus species transect from strandline to backdune.

Student conducting dune survey

Check Clean Dry (CCD)

Before entering or leaving any dune site, every assessor must complete the biosecurity protocol to prevent transporting invasive seeds or pathogens between sites.

1

CHECK footwear and equipment for seeds, soil, or plant material

2

CLEAN thoroughly — brush off all debris before and after the visit

3

DRY equipment fully before moving to a new site

Interactive Tool

DCI Calculator

Score each indicator from 0 (worst) to 5 (best) based on your field observations. The calculator will compute your Dune Condition Index automatically.

Pressure Indicators — Score 0 (High Pressure) to 5 (Low Pressure)
Problem Plants
Marram grass, lupin, ice plant coverage
0: >50% exotic cover5: ≤5% exotic, native dominant
Pedestrians
Informal tracks, trampled plants, exposed roots
0: Extensive trampling, multiple tracks5: No trampling damage
Vehicles
Tyre tracks, crushed vegetation, oil stains
0: Active vehicle use on dunes5: No vehicle sign
Dogs
Digging holes, droppings, disturbed nesting
0: Unleashed, frequent, digging5: No dogs observed
Ungulates
Hoof prints, dung, browse damage, broken fencing
0: Active grazing on dunes5: None, well fenced
Pest Animals
Rabbit burrows (10cm holes), possum sign
0: Abundant burrows, droppings5: None detected
Predators
Rat droppings, mustelid tracks (5-toed), cat scat
0: >10% tracking index5: None detected
Mining
Sand extraction, machinery, altered dune profile
0: >30% area extraction5: ≤1% no extraction
Pressure Total0 / 40 = 0%
State Indicators — Score 0 (Poor State) to 5 (Excellent State)
Indigenous Cover
0: ≤5% native vegetation5: >95% native cover
Indigenous Birds
0: ≤5% native birds5: >95% native birds
Indigenous Reptiles
0: ≤5% native reptiles5: >95% native (3 if unsure)
Veg Disturbance
0: >20% human bare sand5: ≤1% human bare sand
Buffering
0: <50% indigenous buffer5: ≥100% indigenous buffer
State Total0 / 25 = 0%

Your DCI Result

0%
—
Pressure %0%
State %0%
DCI—% · Score all indicators
DCI Score Bands
Poor
<20% — Severely degraded
Below Average
20–39% — Significant pressures
Average
40–59% — Moderate condition
Good
60–79% — Healthy
Excellent
≥80% — Outstanding
Field Identification

Plant ID Hub

Learn to identify the key native and invasive species you will encounter during a dune health survey. Click any plant card for full details.

Native dune plants
Native Species — Pīngao, Spinifex, Sand Coprosma
Invasive dune plants
Invasive Species — Marram Grass, Lupin, Ice Plant
Field Expedition Guide

Site Visit Planner

Plan your field expedition — or activate the bad-weather contingency if conditions prevent a site visit.

Biosecurity Checkpoint

Set up a CCD station at the dune entrance. Students inspect and clean footwear before entering and leaving the site.

Tiered Survey Expedition

Divide into groups: Quick Scan (5 min), Standard DCI (15 min), or Full Transect (45 min) based on experience level.

Standardized Photo Protocol

Assign photographers to capture the 5 mandatory shots: Seaward, Landward, Along-Crest, Vegetation, and Damage.

Standardized Photo Protocol

1
Seaward
From crest, face ocean. Capture full beach width and surf zone.
2
Landward
From crest, face inland. Show what lies behind the dune system.
3
Along-Crest
Look along the dune crest. Show vegetation continuity and any blowouts.
4
Vegetation
Close-up of dominant species. Include a hand or pen for scale.
5
Damage
Notable erosion, blowout, vehicle tracks, or other disturbance features.
Booklet-Linked Interactive Tools

Practice the Survey

Six interactive tools — each one mirrors a specific page of the A5 field booklet. Use them before, during, and after your site visit.

Back Beach Paritūtū
New Plymouth, Taranaki

Back Beach / Paritūtū

A cliff-backed reserve where 1.75 million years of volcanic geology, an endemic plant found nowhere else on Earth, a 749 ha marine protected area, and active iwi co-management converge.

Site Profile
Species, geology & co-management
Adapted DCI
Cliff-backed dune scenario
Live Field Map
Weather · waves · iNaturalist
4-Station Circuit
Field visit guide
Field Insert
Printable A5 booklet page