Sand Movement and Dune Formation
What happens to dry sand on a beach when it is windy?
Dry sand is blown along the beach by the wind.
What type of grass first grows on sand dunes?
Marram grass.
What is a blow-out?
A blow-out is a large hollow where wind has removed sand.
Name two human uses of sand dunes once they stop growing.
Grazing sheep and building golf courses.
Why are sand dunes important to people?
They are homes to plants and animals and help stop sea water from flooding inland.
Why does sand collect behind objects like stones or old shoes?
Sand collects behind objects because they act as shelters and slow down the wind.
How do plants help turn dunes into new land?
Plant roots hold the sand together, allowing shrubs and trees to grow and turn dunes into stable land.
Why do blow-outs often start where people walk or play?
People damage plant cover, creating gaps where wind can blow sand away.
Why are sand dunes described as fragile?
They are easily damaged because the plant layer is thin and fragile.
How do dunes help protect inland areas?
Dunes act as natural barriers between the sea and land.
How might a strong wind blowing inland change the shape of a beach over time?
It can move sand inland and start forming small dunes.
How could the direction of wind affect farmland located behind dunes?
Strong winds may push dunes inland, burying farmland.
If a blow-out forms, what needs to happen for the sand dune to recover?
Marram grass and other plants must grow back to fix the dune.
How could tourism increase the risk of dune damage?
More people walking, playing, or creating paths can damage vegetation and cause blow-outs.
If a coastal town had no dunes, what problems might occur during storms?
Storm waves could reach homes, roads, and farmland, causing flooding.
Compare the early stage of sand piling up to the later formation of a full sand dune. What changes?
Early stages: small piles behind shelters. Later stages: larger dunes shaped by more sand and plant growth.
Why do dunes continue to move inland over hundreds of years?
Wind pushes sand in one main direction for many years, slowly shifting the dunes.
Explain how one small path created by people can lead to large damage in the dune system.
One path removes plant cover, allowing strong wind to enter and erode more sand until a blow-out forms.
Compare positive and negative ways people interact with dunes.
Positive—golf courses, grazing, planting marram grass. Negative—walking through dunes, digging, creating shortcuts.
Explain the relationship between dune plants and the dune's ability to protect the coast.
Plants like marram grass bind the sand, making the dunes stronger and more resistant to wind and waves.
If you were to design a model showing how a dune forms, what materials would you choose and why?
A tray of loose sand, small stones to act as shelters, and a fan to represent wind—because they show the process clearly.
Suggest ways to protect farmland from moving dunes and explain which method might work best.
Planting more vegetation, building fences, or creating windbreaks; planting vegetation may work best because roots stabilize the sand.
You are in charge of protecting a dune area. What rules would you make to prevent blow-outs?
Keep to marked paths, no digging, build boardwalks, and put signs to protect dune plants.
Propose a plan that allows people to enjoy dunes without harming them.
Create fenced paths, set viewing decks, limit visitor numbers, plant protective vegetation.
Do sand dunes have any negative effects? If yes, what problems can they cause for people or the environment?
Yes, sand dunes can have negative effects. They can slowly move inland and bury farmland, buildings, or roads. They can also block access to beaches and make it difficult for people to use the land.