Observations of succession: the relationships between abiotic factors and vegetation on sand dunes at Sturgeon Bay.

Abstract

Plant communities on the sand dunes at Sturgeon Bay, Michigan, change significantly over time. The mechanisms behind these changes, however, are only partially understood. In this study we set out to find correlations between patterns in plant distributions on the dunes and such abiotic factors as soil nutrient levels, moisture, pH, wind, and light. Data was gathered from six different plots located on the first six dunes from the shoreline. Several significant correlations were found. To our surprise, however, soil nutrients did not seem to be as influential a factor in these communities as we had expected. According to our data, soil moisture, wind, and light, have a greater influence on the abundance and distribution of dune flora. These results suggest that wind disturbance, competition for light, and desiccation, are among the most important limiting factors for plants in the dune ecosystem.