Magilligan Psammosere

Question 1

Where is the Magilligan Psammosere?

Answer 1

NW of Northern Ireland

Question 2

What is a psammosere?

Answer 2

a succession that develops on sand

Question 3

Describe the features of the embryo dune

Answer 3

• 5 metres from sea
• Pioneer community (sea couch which is salt resistant and -drought withstandable)
• Youngest dune
• Hostile environment=salinity, lack of humus, 8.0 pH
• No shelter from onshore winds
• 20% covered by vegetation
• Autogenic processes= roots stabilise soil, leaves trap sand, soil begins to become nutrient rich (more humus and moisture is retained.

Question 4

Describe the features of fore dune

Answer 4

• 10 years old
• 80% covered by vegetation
• Marram grass is dominant species (growth stimulated by burial in sand, is salt resistant, and is xerophytically adapted by having tightly rolled leaves protecting stomata from transpiration, fine hairs and grooves which retain moisture)
• Marram grass has rhizomes which grow laterally and vertically, reaching underground to stabilise the the sand.

Question 5

Describe the features of the grey dune

Answer 5

• More than 90% is covered by vegetation
• pH is 7.0
• More wind shelter due to increased plant cover
• Plant leaves hug the ground creating a moisture micro-climate
• Rosette plants like dandelion are common, lady’s bed straw can be found too.
• Thin humus layer
• Soil deepens due to addition of organic matter
• Stable dunes

Question 6

Describe the feature of the stable dune

Answer 6

-Home to climatic climax vegetation
-Thick humus layer
-Plant communities: hazel, birch, oak
-Plagioclimax created by human introduction of grazing
Grazing stops seeds from growing into the deciduous trees as they are eaten.