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The sand dune system along Florida beaches helps protect the mainland and buildings from the force of tropical storms and hurricanes. The dune system absorbs the energy of storm waves.
Pensacola Beach:
Dunes
Pensacola Beach: Dunes
Pensacola, FL
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The dunes form undulating ridges along the north side of the beach road. This area is across the road from Parking Lot 10 at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. -
Sparse vegetation holds the dunes in place. -
Some of dune formations on the north side of the beach road rise to a height of about 30 feet. -
The Gulf can be seen on the far right of the photograph. -
Beach grasses have long roots that form a subsurface net, keeping the dunes from disintegrating. -
Beach elder accumulates sand rapidly and produces low rounded dunes. -
Beach elder (Iva imbricata) has sparse, woody, upright stems and fleshy narrow bright green leaves. Small lavender flowers occur in late summer. -
Coastal dunes are formed when sand is trapped around the stems, leaves and roots of plants in the vegetated areas of the beach.
