Sand dunes Flashcards
(6 cards)
Define psammosere
The characteristic plant succession that develops on a new sand dune ecosystem and achieves, or is on the way to achieving a climax community
What is climatic climax community?
The dominant plant species at the end of a phase of plant succession that reaches a state of ecological equilibrium appropriate to the climate experienced there
What are sand dunes?
Depositional landforms that are accumulations of sand shaped into mounds by the wind
Where do sand dunes form?
→ Beaches are the source of the sand, which when dried out is blown inland (by saltation) to form dunes
→ Develop where there are strong on-shore winds, low-gradient near shore slope that provides large expanse of sand that dires out at low tide
→ Conditions occur at: spits, bays, intended coastlines, offshore islands and barrier beaches
What is succession?
The process of change from bare sand to forest in this ecosystem
What is an embryo dune?
