Learner Resource 7 – Sand dune
succession
Sort the sentences into the correct order and then use to make notes on how sand dune
succession occurs.
As the marram grass decays it makes the sand less hostile, adding humus and improving
water retention.
As plants build up, and then decay, soil depth and quality improve further allowing taller
plants to establish – firstly small shrubs and then trees.
Eventually a stable woodland may develop.
Damage to dunes by rising sea levels, storms or trampling may reverse succession. These
are deflecting factors.
This allows other plants to grow such as grasses, ragwort and restharrow.
Bare ground is colonized by pioneer species such as marram grass that can tolerate the dry,
salty conditions.
Marram grass stabilizes the sand due to its dense roots.
This greater variety increases biodiversity encouraging the presence of insects and birds.
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Photosynthesis, food production and populations
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© OCR 2016