Sand Dunes (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Grace Bower
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Coastal Processes & Sand Dune Formation
The coastal processes of erosion and deposition generate sediment for dune building
Dunes form primarily by prevailing winds blowing sediment up the beach
Plant succession stabilises sediment, which is vital for dune formation
Dune formation requires:
Lots of sediment
Continuous wind
Large beaches
Large tidal range, so sand sediment has time to dry
Obstacles for the dune to form over
Hardy, pioneer species to bind the sand
Formation of a sand dune
The wind blows up the beach, transporting sediment
When sediment reaches an obstacle, large pieces settle in front of it to create a ridge
Behind the obstacle, smaller pieces of sediment settle
This will build up over time, forming a sand dune
The sand dune is steeper on the windward side, and more gentle on the other
A psammosere is the plant succession of a sand dune
Embryo dunes
These are young, very small sand dunes (only a few metres)
Pioneer species colonise in embryo dunes and stabilise the sand e.g. lime grass or saltwort
Sand accumulates around the newly colonised plant
These dunes are fragile and tides can easily wash them away
Foredune
Further up the beach, behind the embryo dune, a foredune develops
Foredunes form as embryo dunes build up
Marram grass begins to grow, stabilising the dune further
Sea holly grows on the sheltered side of the dune
Species start to become more diverse and cover the ground
Yellow dune
These dunes sit above the beach level
These are mainly made of sand rather than soil
The diversity of organisms increases, e.g. ragwort
Marram grass (dead leaves) incorporate organic matter (humus), into the dune, creating soil:
This makes the sand/soil more nutrient-rich – a perfect environment for further plants to develop
Grey dune
Grey dunes have more protection from the other dunes in front
Sand is more protected from the wind and stabilised by vegetation
These dunes are fixed dunes
Gorse and heather can grow as soils improve
Dune slack
The dip between sand dunes is the dune slack
They may be moist or entirely filled with water
They are nutrient-rich and home to a variety of plants and animals
Mature dune
This is the last stage of dune succession, reaching the climax community
Conditions are much more favourable, with moisture and nutrient-rich soils
They are far above the high-tide level
These could be brambles, pine or birch trees
Diagram of dune succession
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