A system in which living things (plants and animals) and physical factors (climate and soils) are linked. For example a sand dune system.

The youngest dune and first stage in sand dune succession.

The second stage of the sand dune succession. This is where marram grass starts to grow. Yellow as there is little organic material in the sand. Also known as fore dunes and semi fixed dunes.

These are fixed, stable sand dunes located 50-100m from the sea. They have grasses, heather and gorse growing. The decomposing vegetation gives this stage of the sand dunes a grey colour.

These are depressions in the landscape where the water table has come to the surface and has formed small ponds of freshwater. Semi aquatic plants and animals such as newts may be found here.

The last dune in the sand dune sequence. It has a deep soil, is less salty and more water in the soils so trees such as ash, birch and pine grow here. No fresh sand can be blown to supply the dune so it wastes away.

A pioneer plant that grows in the fore dune stage of sand dunes. It is xerophytic and rolls its leaves to reduce water loss from its pores (small holes).

This refers to the sequence of vegetation species growing in an environment over time. At each stage the vegetation changes the characteristics of the environment to allow new species to develop.

The first plant species to grow in an area that is well adapted to living in a harsh environment e.g. sea couch grass.

Adaptations in plants that allow them to survive in salty conditions. Simply this means they are salt tolerant.

Adaptations in plants that allow them to survive in a dry climate.

Plant changes (succession) on sand dunes

A thorny yellow flowered plant found in heathland on grey dunes

High up on the beach where the high tide has washed up seaweed, driftwood, flotsam and jetsam.

The final group of plants in a succession. For the UK this would be oak and ash forest.

A depression in the sand dunes formed where trampling and strong winds have removed the vegetation.