Coastal Dunes

Coastal Dunes. . , Michigan's Coastal Sand Dunes...like no others on earth , In the Great Lakes region, sand dunes are one of our most striking landforms. They became a part of our coastal scenery a mere 3-4,000 years ago when a receding lake level exposed an abundance of sand to prevailing westerly winds. With the energy of a constant onshore wind and the binding ability of grasses the world's largest collection of freshwater coastal dunes was arranged here in Michigan. When you consider the state's position in the Great Lakes basin and the importance of strong onshore winds in sculpting sand, this phenomenon is understandable., Some of the finest examples of sand dune formations can be found in Michigan State Parks., Succession , Few places dramatize the crucial interrelationships of living things to their environment as vividly as sand dunes. It is within the dunes that the science of ecology was recognized. Scientists noted how sand dunes evolved from barren sand to ridges of grasses which over time shared space with shrubs and trees. The process of one plant community replacing another over time is known as succession., Coastal sand dunes can be divided into four distinct zones or habitats...beach, foredune, trough or interdunal pond and backdune. The presence of particular plant and animal species associated with certain land features and microclimates is the basis for this division., What sets apart our coastal sand dunes from those found in deserts and along far bay oceans is their...LIFE!