Desert Partners: Dunes & Plants EarthCache
Hidden : 1/8/2008
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


This Earthcache is located in the Red Springs Natural Area portion of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It is day-use only. There is no fee required to use this part of the Conservation Area. This site is wheelchair accessible, and is an approximate one-half mile round-trip on a boardwalk with an elevational rise from the parking area of 30’. Please be aware that the desert tortoise is protected by law. If you are fortunate enough to see one, please view and photograph it from a distance.

A special type of small sand dune has begun forming at the base of these creosote bushes due to eolian, or wind blown sands. Coppice dunes are commonly scattered throughout sand plains in arid regions where shrubs and blowing sands are abundant. The size and shape of a coppice dune depends on the amount of sand available, the characteristics of the wind, the properties of the canopy, and age of the sand accumulation.

As the mound of the coppice dune and the creosote bushes grows larger, the number of microhabitats increases, allowing an increased diversity of plants and animals to utilize this space. Only certain kinds of plants are associated with a coppice dune, since only those species that can form new roots and shoots from buried branches can continue to grow as the sand accumulates around them. If sand accumulates faster than the plant can grow, the plant will die, and the dune will be blown away by the wind.

Coppice dunes can range from about 0.5 to 3 meters in height, and from 1 to 15 meters in width. Because the sand accumulates in piles around the plants and is swept from the surfaces between, a rough topography develops that is very different from the smooth and flat surfaces of sand plains which are devoid of vegetation.

To receive credit for this Earthcache, send me an email with the answers to the following questions:

1.) What are the dimensions (width and height) of the coppice dune directly to the west of the boardwalk at this site? Please stay on the boardwalk and send your best estimate. How many coppice dunes can you see between the boardwalk and the fenceline to the west?

Take a picture with you and your GPS receiver with one of these dunes. There are many along the boardwalk from which to choose. Please do not post a picture of the dune at the coordinates. Post your picture with your log when you log your find.

The above information was compiled from the following sources:

Desert Process Working Group. Summary: Dunes. Online at: (visit link)

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