Los Osos Dunes Plant communities

Question 1

Ambrosia chamissonis – Beach bursage

Answer 1

Pioneer dune

Question 2

Croton californicus – California Croton

Answer 2

Pioneer dune

Question 3

Carpobrotus sp. – Ice plant

Answer 3

Pioneer dune, anthropogenic

Question 4

Conicosia pugioniformis – Slender-leaved ice plant

Answer 4

Pioneer dune, anthropogenic

Question 5

Abronia sp. – Sand verbena

Answer 5

pioneer dune

Question 6

Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia – Dune evening primrose

Answer 6

pioneer dune

Question 7

Cakile maritima – Sea rocket

Answer 7

Pioneer dune, anthropogenic

Question 8

Ehrharta calycina – African veldtgrass

Answer 8

Pioneer dune, anthropogenic

Question 9

Dune succession

Answer 9

active dune -> hummock -> stabilized dune -> coastal dune scrub…

Question 10

Wind-pruning

Answer 10

direct physical damage to structure of plants

Question 11

Adaptations to survive sand burial

Answer 11

thick outer layers and succulent leaves that protect them from sand scour and water loss

Question 12

Dune blowouts

Answer 12

sandy bowl like depressions in a sand dune caused by the removal of sediments by wind.

Question 13

Foredune Environment

Answer 13

Beaches and foredunes are challenging environments for plants
-Sandy soil
-Unstable
-Low fertility
-Holds little water

Question 14

Hummock formation

Answer 14

The accumulating sand grains gradually bury the plant, forming a mound or hummocs

Question 15

Dune stabilization

Answer 15

A dune that has stopped moving

Question 16

Salt spray

Answer 16

coats sand and any exposed plant parts

Question 17

Adaptations for heat, UV radiation, sand abrasion

Answer 17

thick, waxy, fleshy or furry leaves and many grow close to the sand to conserve moisture and to avoid salt spray and wind.