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sand dunes Flashcards

1
Q

ecosystem

A

-areas that share the same set of characteristics
-interaction of biotic and abiotic

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2
Q

examples of biotic components

A

-living organisms
-microorganisms
-trees and other plants

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3
Q

example of abiotic components

A

-soil
-climate
-relief
-geology
-drainage

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4
Q

the role of coastal vegetation

A

-protect unconsolidated sediment
-bind sediment together
-when submerged, protective layer so the surface of sediment is not directly exposed to moving water
-reduce wind speeds

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5
Q

2 types of coastal plants

A

Halophytes- can tolerate salt water around their roots
Xerophytes- tolerate very dry conditions

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6
Q

what is sucession

A

-the sequencial change in plant communities over time
-different from zonation

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7
Q

whats zonation

A

-where there is variaition in the ecology/ ecological change

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8
Q

features of sand dunes

A

-obstacles such as vegetation to trap moving sand grains
-harsh conditions, often dry and salty
-rotting seaweed brought in by storm waves add nutrients to allow pioneer species

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9
Q

what is beach dune interaction

A

-when they work dynamically together to balance and buffer large scale changes to system

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10
Q

what is the impact of storms on dunes

A

-waves causing erosion during storms
-if initial storm was particularly energetic or several storms in a rapid sucession, the breaking waves and longshore drift can remove sand from beach

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11
Q

secondary impact of storms on sand dunes

A

-lowers beach elevation
-reduces volume of sand available on the beach for aeolian processes
-reduced transport of sand back to foredune

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12
Q

what is an example of restoration of beach dunes

A

-newborough warren, wales
-strategy to increase dune mobility and amont of aeolian transport means resiliance increased
-as dunes are able to adjust to changes in waves and wind by exchanging sand with the ebach

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13
Q

example of vegetation in embryo dunes and its adaption

A

-saltwort is succulent

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14
Q

example of vegetation in yellow dunes and its adaption

A

marram grass- very long roots

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15
Q

example of vegetation in woodland and its adaption

A

pine- can survive in acidic soils
oak- can survive in alkaline soils

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16
Q

what happens if sand dunes are overstabelised and how

A

-due to the anthropogenic planting of vegetation
-creates a high dune wall
-vulnerable to storm impact as fixed nature and steep slopes promote intense erosion
-prevent dynamic exchange of sand between beach and dunes

17
Q

what does dune progression result in

A

-small, lightly vegetated and dynamic foredunes at seaward edge
-larger more vegetated primary dunes further inland

18
Q

what is the order of a sand dune

A

-embryo dune
-foredune
-yellow dune
-grey dune
-dune slack
-mature dune

19
Q

what does more vegetation in the embryo dune allow

A

-allows for more humus
-meaning increased retention of nutrients and water
-meaning greater chance of soil creation

20
Q

examples of dune protection

A

-signs
-walkways
-fences
-plantations
-boardwalks

21
Q

what process often occurs in yellow and grey dunes

A

-blow out

22
Q

what is a blow out

A

-form of positive feedback
-when dune system becomes unstable so a bare patch of sand is revealed

23
Q

what process causes a blow out

A

-deflation
-the localised removal of sand

24
Q

what is a dune slack

A

-a valley between ridges
-floods in winter as is boundary between saturated and unsaturated
-in summer is dry
-damper areas where water table is close to or at surface

25
Q

features of mature dune

A

-greater species diversity can be found as top layer of soil has developed
-heath land developed as plants still have to survive in salty conditions

26
Q

whats a heath land

A

-open, uncultivated landscape
-poor, acidic soils
-dominated by low-growing vegetation

27
Q

where do sand dunes form

A

beyond the areas of spring tide at the back of the beach

28
Q

what are the first colonising plants of a sand dune known as

A

pioneer species

29
Q

role of pioneer species

A

-begin the process of plant sucession
-modify environment by binding sand or soil with roots and add nutrients when they die and decay

30
Q

what is the final community that is adjusted to the climatic conditions of the area known as

A

-climatic climax community

31
Q

what are the two sides of a sand dune known as and where does deposition occur

A

-leeward (deposition)
-windward

32
Q

type of coast that sand dunes form on

A

-low energy coastal plainsq

33
Q

conditions of waves for sand dunes

A

constructive waves
prevailing onshore winds blow sand inland

34
Q

what allows pioneering species to colonise dune

A

-rotting seaweed brought in by storm

coasts (12 decks)

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