Sand Dunes And Its Characteristics Quiz Questions With Answers

Salt spray provides the main source of nutrients on frontal dunes. Salt spray contains various minerals and nutrients that are essential for the growth and survival of plants in this harsh environment. The salt spray is carried by the wind from the nearby ocean and deposited on the dunes, providing a source of nutrients for the plants that are adapted to tolerate the high levels of salt. These plants are able to extract the necessary nutrients from the salt spray, allowing them to thrive in this unique ecosystem.

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The reason why nitrogen is scarce on the dunes is that there is little or no decaying plant and animal material to enrich the dunes. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants, and it is usually obtained from the decomposition of organic matter. However, in the dune habitat, there is a lack of decaying material, which results in a limited supply of nitrogen. As a result, plants and organisms in the dunes struggle to obtain enough nitrogen for their growth and survival.

Saltation is the process by which sand particles are transported by wind in a bouncing motion. During saltation, only the finest sand particles are lifted and carried, while the larger, coarser particles tend to stay closer to the ground. This selective transport of finer sand particles by saltation explains why dunes are made of finer sand than the beaches.

As the sand dune gets higher, it provides a greater amount of protection from wind and salt spray for the vegetation behind it. This allows larger and more diverse plant species to grow, resulting in larger vegetation.

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The back dune habitat retains more soil moisture compared to the frontal dune habitat due to the presence of vegetation. The canopy of shrubs and trees in the back dune habitat provides shade, which lowers the soil surface temperatures and reduces evaporation. This helps to retain moisture in the soil. In contrast, the frontal dunes dry out because of the exposure to wind and salt spray, which leads to increased evaporation and less moisture retention in the soil.

A low frontal dune does not provide protection to the dunes behind it. The ocean side of the back dunes is fully exposed to the strong ocean winds, salt spray, and whipping sands. This lack of protection makes the back dunes vulnerable to the forces of the ocean, especially during storms.

Beach sand is composed of loose sediment made up of broken-down rock and shell particles. This loose structure allows water and nutrients to easily pass through the sand, causing them to leach out or filter out quickly. The wind and waves on the beach also contribute to the movement of water and nutrients through the sand. As a result, the sand lacks the ability to retain nutrients and water, leading to low fertility in the soil.

Trees and shrubs on the back rows of dunes moderate the effects of wind and sun. The presence of these plants helps to break the force of the wind, reducing erosion and providing a barrier against sand movement. Additionally, the foliage of the trees and shrubs provides shade, which helps to regulate temperature and reduce the drying effects of the sun. Overall, the trees and shrubs play a crucial role in protecting the dunes and maintaining their stability in the face of wind and sun exposure.

Dune animals move back and forth between the dunes and the maritime forest to access fresh water from ponds in the maritime forest and to scavenge and forage for food at night in the dunes. This behavior allows them to meet their basic needs for hydration and sustenance.

The beach flea is an irritating supratidal insect that scavenges among the remains of seaweed and dead animal organisms in the detritus along the strandline.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that the sand's light and bright color allows it to reflect sunlight, resulting in a higher albedo. In contrast, the ocean appears blue and is a darker color, causing it to absorb sunlight rather than reflect it. Therefore, the ocean has a lower albedo compared to the sand.

American beach grass and sea oats have flexible, long, narrow leaves that curl inward and blades that turn to a vertical position. This structural adaptation allows them to withstand whipping winds in their habitat.

Ocean breezes provide a steady flow of wind, which helps to circulate and disperse oxygen in the dune habitat. The movement of air from the ocean brings fresh oxygen to the dunes, ensuring that there is a plentiful supply of oxygen for the dune plants and other organisms. This constant flow of oxygen is essential for the survival and thriving of the dune ecosystem.