To Log This Cache:
1. What type of dune grass is displayed here? A, B, C, D?
2. Estimate the height of the grass.
3. Describe the area. Is it just sand and grass? Or other living plants surrounding?
4. How did the dune grass help shape the formation of this land?
5. Take a selfie with you and or group at ground zero. If you do not want to be in the picture, post an original object with your picture. Plain picture with no object(s) or person(s) will NOT be accepted.
NOTE: cell phone service may be not so good in this area. You can try to connect to the free wifi from Oval Beach to help.
Dune grass plays a crucial role in dune geology by stabilizing sand and influencing dune shape and formation. It does this through its deep, spreading roots (rhizomes) that anchor the sand and its ability to continue growing even when buried by wind-blown sand. This stabilization process is essential for the development and maintenance of dunes, preventing erosion and allowing for the accumulation of organic matter that can eventually lead to the development of forests.
Sand Stabilization:
Dune grass species, like American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) and sea oats (Uniola paniculata), are highly adapted to sandy environments. Their extensive root systems, particularly the rhizomes, bind the sand particles together, making the dune more resistant to wind and water erosion.
Dune Shape and Formation:
The way dune grass grows and spreads influences the shape of dunes. Areas with dense grass cover tend to have more stable, continuous dunes, while areas with sparse or patchy vegetation can lead to the formation of blowouts (depressions in the dune) and more dynamic dune landscapes.
Succession and Ecosystem Development:
As dune grass stabilizes the sand, other plants can begin to colonize the area. This leads to a gradual increase in plant diversity and the accumulation of organic matter, eventually transitioning into shrublands and even forests in some cases.
Coastal Protection:
Dune systems, stabilized by vegetation like dune grass, play a vital role in protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges. They act as a buffer, absorbing wave energy and preventing damage to inland areas.
Dune Grass Adaptations:
Drought Tolerance: Dune grass species are often drought-tolerant, allowing them to survive in the dry, sandy environments of dunes.
Salt Spray Tolerance: They can also tolerate the salt spray common in coastal areas.
Tolerance to Burial: Dune grass can tolerate being buried by sand, continuing to grow and trap more sand.
Dune trees, specifically cottonwoods, play a significant role in the geology of sand dunes by trapping sand and influencing their formation and stability. These trees, adapted to dune environments, can keep pace with sand burial by growing rapidly and sprouting new trunks from roots, often forming clusters. The vegetation, including other plants like beach grass and various shrubs, helps initiate and stabilize dunes, especially nebkha dunes (also called coppice dunes), by trapping windblown sand.