1. Succession
Psammosere

2. Definitions
Succession- directional change in vegetation in an area over time
Psammosere- a seral community, an ecological succession that began life on newly exposed coastal sand. Most common is the sand dune systems
Plagioclimax- an area or habitat in which the influences of the humans have prevented the ecosystem from developing further. E.g. Heather moorland
Seral stage- a point within a plant succession characterised by a dominant species
Climatic climax- final stage of succession where the vegetation is in equilibrium with the environmental conditions
Pioneer species- first group of species to colonise and have specific adaption e.g. halophytes

3. Succession
Primary succession (priseres)- growth on previously un- colonised land
Xeroseres (dry land)
Lithoseres (bare rock)
Psammoseres (sand dune)
Hydroseres (water)
Haloseres (salt water)
Hydroseres (fresh water)
Secondary succession (subseres)- growth on previously colonised land due to destruction or modification of an existing plant community
Natural e.g. landslide/fire
Human Activity e.g. deforestation

4. Open system
Inputs: wind, precipitation, sunlight for photosynthesis, weathered rock
Outputs: evapotranspiration, through-flow, groundwater flow, leaching, runoff
Flows: decomposition of litter to form humus, wake uptake my capillary action, biomass decreases when organisms die
Stores: vegetation, plant litter, soils

5. General High water mark- point at which succession begins
Pioneer community form a ground layer – xerophytes and halophytes
Onshore wind (15km/h) blow sand around the base of the pioneer plant
Plants bind the sand and help stabilise it
Pioneer plants decompose and forms humus
Organic matter is colonised by new species and the process continues
The humus is very alkaline from shell fragments and salt and becomes increasingly acidic from addition of biomass

6. Development of a psammosere
Strandline
Sea Rocket
Embryo dune
Couch Grass
Foredune
Marram grass
Yellow Dune
Sedge grass
Fixed dune
Red fescue
Scrub
Bramble
Woodland
Oak
Development of a psammosere
Dune Heath (Heather) and Dune Slacks (creeping Willow)

7. Sea Rocket Strandline Line at the high water mark on the beach
Long tap root to help stabilise the sand
Thick waxy cuticle to help retain moisture
Grow low to the ground so less affected by abrasive sand
When buried by sand it responds by rapid growth and seed production
Line at the high water mark on the beach
Wind and sand prevent permanent communities
Distance from sea (m)
0-20 pH
8.5
Humus (%)
<1
Colour
Yellow

8. Couch Grass Embryo Dunes
An object such as a plant or rock causes sand to build on the lee side
Small dunes build up
Couch Grass
Fine leaves to reduce water loss by evapotranspiration
Adapted to well drained soils
Spreads by rhizomes
Distance from sea (m)
20-80 pH
8.0
Humus (%)
<1
Colour
Yellow

9. Fore Dunes and Yellow Dunes
Marram Grass
Humus results from decomposition of marram grass
Species diversity begins
Rolled leaves to trap a layer of air to maintain moisture
Thick waxy cuticle
Hairs on the leaves also trap a moisture layer
Stomata on the lower surface to reduce water loss by transpiration
Underground stems (rhizomes) tolerate high wind and it’s flexible
Distance from sea (m)
80-300 pH
Humus (%)
<2.5
Colour
Yellow

10. Fixed dunes Mosses cover the bare ground between marram grass colonies
Fixed indicates no bare ground
Humus creates a brown surface layer of up to 10cm deep allowing moisture to be maintained
Legumes may contain nitrogogen fixing bacteria in their root nodules which allow for increased species diversity
Distance from sea (m) pH
6.5
Humus (%) 5
Colour
Yellow/Grey

11. Dune Slack
Overgrazing leaves bare substrate susceptible to erosion and forms depressions called blow- outs
Forms a dune slack if it reaches the water table
Distance from sea (m) pH
6.5
Humus (%) 10
Colour
Grey
Slacks vary according to season and water table level:
Dry slack – sea holly
Wet slack- creeping willow

12. Bramble Dune scrub Small tress and shrubs colonise
Community becomes species poor
Distance from sea (m)
500 pH
6.0
Humus (%) 20
Colour
Grey

13. Climax vegetation- Woodland
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Risk from human activity
Ecosystem- dynamic equilibrium
Deep tap roots in search of water
Broad leafed trees to maximise absorption of sunlight for photosynthesis
Lose leaves in winter to conserve water
Distance from sea (m)
2500 + pH
4.5
Humus (%)
>40
Colour
Brown
Oak Tree

14. From sea to woodland
Increase in height of dune from addition of humus and trapping of sediment around taller plants
pH becomes increasingly more acidic as organic matter is added and less salt or shell (alkaline)
Dune colour begins yellow and becomes grey/brown due to addition of organic matter
Species increase in biomass and less adapted to saline conditions
Affect of wind decreases due to protection
Less leaching as soil becomes increasingly capable of retaining moisture

15. Threats to sand dunes Solutions: Cordoning off sensitive areas
Human threats
- Golf/ sport
- Trampling
Recreation:
Development
- Industry
-Housing
-forestry
- Farmland
Agriculture
- Sewage
- Nitrates
Pollution
Interference
Groynes
- Extraction
Threats to sand dunes
Solutions:
Cordoning off sensitive areas
Nature reserves - education
Boardwalks
Planting successful species to stabilise dunes

16. Studland
Studland Bay forms the eastern seaward side of the South Haven Peninsula
Onshore easterly winds, especially during storms can blow the sand inland. The source of the sand is the sand bottom of Poole Bay
Studland's 5km of sandy beach is a popular tourist destination with all 6 of Britains reptiles, Little Sea, and a heathlands environment
Can experience 25,000 people on its beaches per day in summer

17. Studland’s sustainable management
Owned and managed by the National Trust since 1982 – no large scale developments
Signed footpaths and boardwalks to reduce trampling
Visitor centre to educate the need for conservation
Blowouts fences off and stabilised by marram grass
Provision of car parks- no driving onto the beach
Fire beaters
Honeypot site with café, toilets, bins to concentrate tourists
Dog/ recycling binds
Extensive ridged dune system