Globally, along sandy coastlines, foredunes support ecosystem services including provision of habitat and protection of communities from waves and storm surge. In this Review, we discuss the interactions between sand transport and vegetation processes (ecomorphodynamics) that give rise to the foredune-building feedback as illuminated by empirical and modelling studies. Foredune shape and alongshore continuity depend primarily on sand supply, vegetation density and growth form. For instance, low-lying, creeping herbaceous species tend to form short embryo dunes, whereas tall, dense grasses that grow vertically tend to form tall, narrow foredunes. Climate and weather events, herbivory and anthropogenic disturbances of varying scale affect the foredune-building feedback. For example, small local scale disturbances, such as herbivory or trampling, cause local vegetation loss and erosion. Management activities, such as beach nourishment, can increase foredune sand supply, leading to foredune rebuilding, although the presence of infrastructure on the back beach can inhibit foredune development. At a regional scale, hurricanes and tropical storms cause substantial dune erosion and overwash, potentially resetting the foredune-building process. Sea-level rise exacerbates the effects of storms, leading to increased erosion, saltwater intrusion and a potential landward shift in foredune location. Future research should prioritize integrated ecomorphodynamic observations and modelling to fill critical knowledge gaps and address the effects of changing climate on the foredune-building process.

Often overlooked, vibration transmission through the entire body of an animal is an important factor in understanding vibration sensing in animals. To investigate the role of dynamic properties and vibration transmission through the body, we used a modal test and lumped parameter modelling for a spider. The modal test used laser vibrometry data on a tarantula, and revealed five modes of the spider in the frequency range of 20-200 Hz. Our developed and calibrated model took into account the bounce, pitch and roll of the spider body and bounce of all the eight legs. We then performed a parametric study using this calibrated model, varying factors such as mass, inertia, leg stiffness, damping, angle and span to study what effect they had on vibration transmission. The results support that some biomechanical parameters can act as physical constraints on vibration sensing. But also, that the spider may actively control some biomechanical parameters to change the signal intensity it can sense. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the parameter changes in front and back legs have a greater influence on whole system dynamics, so may be of particular importance for active control mechanisms to facilitate biological sensing functions.