 Example: sand dune community  Temperature & Water  Foredune—very hot in summer, little water ▪ Grass adapted to conditions ▪ Long roots find water; leaves can curl to save water and resist heat  Mature dune—much cooler, more moist ▪ More species diversity ▪ Example –“forest” floor--ferns (low light, moist conditions)

 Light  Grasses in high light ▪ Thin leaves reduce water loss, withstand heat  Ferns – low light ▪ Wide leaves capture the small amt light / shade  Soil pH  pH varies among dune regions  Yellow dune- soil pH 7.5 (grass here too, pH)  Grey dune-decomposition of lots grasses, soil more rich, more acidic (acid-loving heathers here)

 Salinity  Foredunes get salt spray ▪ Grasses can tolerate it  Grey dune less salty ▪ Small shrubs, mosses, lichen  Mineral nutrients  Grey dune – diversity of plants, older region, has mineral content to support shrubs, etc.  Mature dune – way inland, lots of nutrient-rich soil, oldest region (soil building up 100s yrs), can support large trees (ash, birch, oak)

 Example: Indiana Dunes, Lake Michigan  Temperature  Animals adapted for hot/cold temps  Sand wolf spider: foredune dweller, extreme high temps—lives in deep burrow (behavioral adaptation)  Woodland spider: live in trees (shade, cooler)-mature dune  Water  Water for eggs, aquatic animals for food  Heron-catches fish/frogs, lives near water  Woodpecker-eats insects in trees, lives in mature dune

 Breeding sites  Nesting sites  Protection from sun, wind; mature dune, wetlands  Habitat loss!   Food supply  Generalists, specialists  Raccoons, skunks, foxes-move to where food is located; nocturnal  Rabbits-burrows in foredune, near grass (food)  Territory  Packs of coyotes, scent to mark space  May or may not overlap