Coastal Strand, Beaches, and Dunes
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Decreased protection
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Transition T1B
Decreased protection
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Transition T1C
Major disturbance event
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Transition T1D
Urban development
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Transition T2A
Increase protection
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Transition T2B
Decreased protection
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Transition T2C
Major disturbance event
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Transition T2D
Urban development
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Transition T3A
Increased protection
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Transition T3B
Major disturbance event
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Transition T3C
Urban development
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Transition T4A
Increased protection
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Transition T4B
Urban development
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
Maritime woodlands typically occur on the backside of relatively stable dunes that are not immediately adjacent to the shoreline. They tend to be relatively protected from wind driven sand and salt spray, but they may still display salt spray pruning and maritime wind shaping.
(FNAI, 2010; Schafale and Weakley, 1990)
Description
Maritime scrub occurs on relatively stable dunes exposed to the pruning impacts of salt spray. It typically occurs on foredune positions and often occurs between maritime grassland and maritime woodland across a gradient of protection from wind driven sand and salt spray. The canopy height of maritime scrub is specifically less than 5 m. Taller canopy height classifies as maritime woodland.
The maritime scrub community can either be a developmental stage as woody vegetation establishes and grows on a site as it ultimately develops into a maritime woodland, or salt and sand spray can maintain this community and prevent it from ever developing to a maritime woodland.
(FNAI, 2010; Schafale and Weakley, 1990)
Description
Maritime grasslands typically occupy environments where aeolian processes are most active including active dune settings. They tend to form in two ways. As barrier islands build seaward, they develop new dune ridges along the shore which protect inland ridges. Alternatively, as a beach recovers from an over wash event, it will develop a new foredune which will protect the over wash area behind it. The vegetation community of maritime grasslands is very similar to the vegetation community on coastal sands, but with the addition of some species more characteristic of more stable soils.
Description
This community occupies the most stressful environments on this site most exposed to wind driven sands, salt spray, and over wash. This community tends to be located on the upper beach or first fore dune of a coastal strand, beach, dune complex. Vegetation cover tends to be relatively sparse.
Mechanism
Decreased protection from wind driven sand and salt spray or storm damage.
Mechanism
Decreased protection from wind driven sand and salt spray or storm damage.
Mechanism
Major disturbance event including hurricane and/or storm surge washover.
Mechanism
Decreased protection from wind driven sand and salt spray or storm damage.
Mechanism
Major disturbance event including hurricane and/or storm surge washover.
Mechanism
Major disturbance event including hurricane and/or storm surge washover.
Model keys
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.