3.5 - How Does Vegetation Control Coastal Recession?

Question 1

Sand Dune Formation

Answer 1

Form in the foreshore and involves wind coming into contact with an obstacle, starting deposition

Question 2

Pioneer Species

Answer 2

Helps build and stabilise the land that it’s growing in i.e. prickly saltwort. They’re usually the first to colonise the barren environments.

Question 3

How Do Pioneer Species Survive?

Answer 3

The waxy leaves and deep roots help give the nutrients it needs from the sandy saltwater environment. It also acts as an anchor against wind.

Question 4

Dunes With Pioneer Species

Answer 4

Embyro dunes (the sediment has first started to settle) Next comes foredunes and then yellow dunes.

Question 5

What Changes As You Move Through The Steps?

Answer 5

Dunes become more protected from seawater meaning there’s more species.

Question 6

Grey Dunes

Answer 6

Much less colour than yellow dunes, they’re grey because there’s more organic matter/humus, making the environment less salty allowing more species to grow.

Question 7

Grey Dunes

Answer 7

Much less colour than yellow dunes, they’re grey because there’s more organic matter/humus, making the environment less salty allowing more species to grow.

Question 8

Halophyte

Answer 8

A plant adapted to growing in conditions with lots of water and salt marshes.

Question 9

Xerophyte

Answer 9

A plant that’s adapted to growing in dry conditions.

Question 10

Xerophyte

Answer 10

A plant that’s adapted to growing in dry conditions.

Question 11

Dune Succession Is Predictable

Answer 11

Pioneer species - Stabilise the sediment, retain moisture, give shade and add nutrients. They reduce evaporation in the sand and yet adapted to the conditions.

Question 12

Dune Succession Isn’t Predictable

Answer 12

Dynamic - Coasts are harsh environments, there are high winds at low tide, a lack of shade in certain seasons, sand lacks nutrients so vegetation may not grow and there is no oxygen in saltwater so they may struggle to respire.