The vegetation of the sand dune areas on Karmøy, SW Norway has been investigated, and a survey of the recent plant communities and their distribution is given. The interpretation of the main successional pathways today is used to draw a sketch of the original vegetation and its zonation on the beach. The role of man in the cyclic changes in the vegetation is discussed, and a model for the degree of stress discharged upon the various parts of the sand dune ecosystem is presented.
The various needs of the apparently conflicting interests of nature preservation and recreation is discussed. By means of so-called conflict lines, a final listof the areas secured for ecosystem protection and recreation, respectively, is drawn.