A sand dune is a wonder of nature.
The interaction of the physical and plant worlds evolved over time to a system which prevents erosion of a beach.
Left undisturbed, with all factors as they developed, erosion of a beach would be minimal.
The marram grass, sea oates and other beach plants, help to keep the soil in place in a delicate balance with the physical world.
Then there are the catastrophic storms, the high seas and winds that destroy the dunes and allow the sea to move further inland. In the past year, students of the environmental program at the island university worked to restore dunes to the Cavendish Beach area of Prince Edward Island which had seen such destruction.
For dunes to develop, they require something which acts as a barrier to block beach sand which blows around in high winds. In nature, seaweed can be such a barrier.
When people help the process, they make use of old trees to aid the accumulation of sand. In addition, plugs of cultivated marram grass can be transplanted to areas where it has been destroyed by human activity as well.
The natural beauty of the dunes is something to behold.
The wind blowing over the grass creates a green wave which often has various shades of green due to the different plants.
Its gentle sound blends with that of the ocean to create beach music, especially if the wind is not too high. The dunes, as much as the sand, the water and the breeze, make this setting my favourite place on earth.
18 comments:
It's amazing in what sort of spots vegetation can get a foothold.
I am happy for groups and organizations that watch over erosion and other issues in the environment. Your pictures looks so pretty!
I am glad that there are efforts being made to stop the erosion of sand dunes. So nice to walk among the dunes. I have done that in Florida, Michigan, Cape Cod, various locations in England, but never in PEI, maybe next year!
I agree. Nature has great determination, AC.
The dunes are beautiful. There is good work being done to preserve the dunes, Angela.
I hope you do get to visit next year, Shammickite!
Nature is a marvel. Beautiful, destructive, tenacious. I am so glad to hear that she is being helped rather than hindered here.
It is amazing how the Lord took such care in all the details of nature, to provide a way to prevent beach erosion. I remember walking among that sea grass, and remember as a child that sometimes it felt like I was standing in an ocean of green, before we got to the ocean as we walked through the dune path. Thank you for sharing on the dunes and reminding me of happy childhood moments! Hugs to you today :)
She is being helped on this island where the dunes are concerned, EC.
Such a lovely memory, SUI. The dunes are such a wonder of nature, for sure!
It really is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me. :-)
The dunes are a natural wonder, Jan. You are welcome.
Beautiful dunes and so important too.
so peaceful! And if you want to read something really interesting related, I HIGHLY recommend this: https://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change?language=en
They certainly are!
I shall check it out, SW.
I remember learning a lot about sand dunes when visiting the National Park on PEI.
They really are a wonder,FG.
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