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Aerial view of the road with beautiful view by the sea in Antalya Finike. Turkey

Colorful sunset viewed from the pink sea beach with soft waves

Bay of Water

Ponquogue Beach is a stretch of sand accessed by a bridge across Shinnecock Bay.

The marsh resembling a seahorse in Bank’s Channel, just outside of Wrightsville Beach

Part of the beautiful Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Bodie Island Lighthouse is an Iconic Lighthouse of Nags Head Outer Banks North Carolina. This incredible stretch of coastal barrier islands along the east coast of NC is known for its amazing beaches and abundant wildlife.

Aerial view of Soda Spring Creek on Big Sur coast in California, USA.

Aerial view of tidal dunes and water inlet Shark Bay Western Australia taken from a small plane

Nauset Beach with Nauset Light, aerial view

Aerial view of Aqua marine ocean with waves breaking on white sand beach with palm tree shadows, Florida.

Aerial drone view of rocky coast with palms and blue ocean with waves, Maui island, Hawaii

Scenic town and beaches of Primosten aerial panoramic view, turquoise archipelago and historic architecture of Croatia

Maldives Tropical Island

Aerial drone view of Ilıca Beach, Cesme, Izmir

Coastal sand dunes are dynamic but fragile buffer zones of sand and vegetation that form where the following three characteristics can be found: large quantities of sand persistent wind capable of moving the sand suitable locations for sand to accumulate The process of dune formation begins with a steady on-shore wind capable of moving sand. The wind moves the sand into piles. Eventually the sand pile becomes so steep that the leeward side of the sand pile collapses under its own weight and spills down at an angle that serves to stabilize the dune. Over time, the dune migrates in the direction of the wind, as the wind moves sand up the dune's slope and over the edge. Sand dunes often form around obstructions such as rocks, drift wood, decaying plant matter, and detritus that is washed up during high-tide. This decaying plant matter forms a perfect substrate for plants to set root. Plants the first set root in sand dunes are referred to as pioneer plants and are often grasses that have special adaptations for the harsh environment of the dune (high salt tolerance, waxy leaves that retain water, rolled leaves to reduce surface area and exposure to evaporation). These pioneer plants stabilize the dune. Their roots bind the sand and their leaves decrease wind speed and reduce erosion. After pioneer plants stabilize the dune, it becomes more habitable for other plants to move in. A progression of vegetation types set hold onto the dune, each changing the substrate's characteristics and structure, gradually making the dune suitable for the next vegetation type. Sand dunes, though dynamic, are fragile habitats. The mat of vegetation covering a dune is vital to reducing dune erosion and if this vegetation is disturbed or uprooted, the dune is destroyed.

Couple walking on wooden pathway by the ocean. Summer mountain coastal landscape. Garrapata State Park, View from highway 1. Big Sur, California, USA.

Coronado Bridge in San Diego California during golden hour with cars crossing the bridge and boats in San Diego Bay. United States of America famous city skyline

Sunset and palm trees on the beach against the soft pink tropical sky over the blue pacific ocean water

574 free coastal photos from Freerange

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