Local scale Ecosystem - SAND DUNES

The changes that occur over time as a community reaches seral climax.

Occurs on a new land surface.

Orderly sequence of events where one community is replaced by anolther.

Colonisation of surface by pioneer community.

Conditions become more favourable as humus grows due to decompostion of other species, leading to increased diversity.

Develops on land that has previously been vegetated. 

Prevent community from reaching the seral climax.

Grazing 

Fire

Mudflow

Disease

Climate Change

Volcanic eruption

A subclimax community as a result of arresting factors preventing succession leading to a climax community.

Human activity that causes plagioclimax:

Deforestation

Afforestation

Animal grazing

Trampling

Fire clearance

1. Fencing, pathways and signs to prevent trampling.

2. Sand traps and marram grass planting.

3. Protected status such as at Oxwich Dunes

4. No afforestation to let dunes develop naturally

5. No tipping of waste

6. Dune reconstruction after use by thr military such as in East Lothian.

A well managed dune system is Studland Bay.