Sandy Beach Ecosystem
Objective(s)
◦Locate on a map the likely location of sandy seashores
◦b. Make an annotated outline drawing showing the profile of
a sandy beach.
◦ c. Describe Five abiotic factors that affect life on a sandy sea
shore
Where are sandy beaches located on the island?
◦ SANDY SEA SHORES Sandy seashores are typically located on
the sheltered side of islands, often with a reef off shore.
◦ In the Bahamas the best recreational beaches are found on the
north – north east coast.
Features of a sandy beach
◦T
ž he sheltered side of the island is protected by other
islands and cays.
◦T
ž he coral reef also protects the island by breaking the
waves and providing the sand for the sandy beach
ecosystem.
◦C
ž oral reef break down wave action and help to deposit
sand for the beach, hence, the colour of beaches are
based on the coral reefs.
Zones of the Sandy Beach Ecosystem
◦ Low Tide Zone
◦ High Tide Zone
◦ Spray Zone
◦ Pioneer Zone
◦ Fixed Dune Zone
◦ Seagrape Zone
◦ Scrub Woodland
Zone
Zones of the Sandy Beach Ecosystem
◦ LOW INTERTIDAL ZONE : This area is mainly submerged , becomes dry
only in the lowest tide. The greatest variety of organisms are found here.
◦ MID INTERTIDAL ZONE : Between high and low tide. Submerged by water
and dry out twice per day.
◦ HIGH INTERTIDAL ZONE : The limit of water during extremely high tide
.
◦ PIONEER ZONE : This area is outside the high tide zone. Usually infertile.
Vines may be found with stem buried under the sand . Examples: Sea
Purslane and Goat’s foot. Burrowing animals can also be found in this area.
Zones of ecosystem
◦ FIXED DUNE ZONE: The sand become more stable as it is piled into heaps
as a result of the wind . Sea oats grass, Spider lily, and Bay Geranium are
found here.
◦ SEA GRAPE ZONE: Area behind the fixed sand dunes mostly dominated
by salt tolerant plants. Examples: sea grapes, coco plum, and other native
trees
◦ SCRUB WOOD LAND ZONE: Hard wood trees are found in this area.
Other plant life include the Button wood , Silver top palms and invasive
species such as Casaurina and Brazilian pepper.
Environmental Conditions
◦ Shifting sand. Difficult for animals to find home as the sand is
constantly moving by the wave action and wind.
◦ Exposure to predator: Since most of the sandy beach lacks
cover the organisms have very little place to hide.
◦ Lack of water : Water availability is dependent primarily on the
ebb and flow of the tides . Water retention capacity of the sand
is also very low.
Environmental Conditions
◦ High temperature : The lack of water, constant wind , and the lack of cover make
the sandy sea shore a hot and inhospitable environment.
◦ Lack off food : The basic support for the food chain—microscopic plants are usually
absent . Much of the food planktons or detritus—are what is washed up from other
areas.
◦ Strong wind & crashing waves : The wind generated by air current is blowing almost
constantly on the sandy beach. Safety lies only in borrowing in the sand. The waves
makes the maintenance of a burrow very difficult.
◦ Saline: Sand dries very quickly because the water drains away fast thus it is very
salty.
Adaptation of organisms to the sandy beach
ecosystem.
◦ One example of an adaptation to their environment that many marine
organisms possess is camouflage that makes them virtually undetectable to
predators and prey alike.
Adaptation
◦ Many organisms found in this environment are streamlined and/or possess shells to
protect them from pounding waves.
◦ Because the sand is in constant motion, organisms that live here have nothing to
attach to and may burrow in the sand to seek shelter from the elements.
◦ These animals usually possess specialized structures that enable them to dig quickly
and obtain oxygen and food beneath the surface.
◦ Some examples of sandy beach animals are mole crabs, razor clams, and sand
dollars.
Beach Animal Adaptations
The beach habitat is quite inhospitable, and due to the regular changes it goes
through, animals need to be flexibly adapted to survive.
Some adaptations include:
◦ Burrowing into the sand to avoid being washed away by waves (e.g. crabs), or
attaching to rocks (e.g. barnacles)
◦ Colours which blend with the colour of the sand, to camouflage
◦ Feet and legs which are designed to walk on sand wet surfaces
Plant Adaptation to the Sandy Beach Ecosystem
◦ Plants at the beach need to adapt to strong wind, changing water levels
and salty, sandy soil without many nutrients.
Some examples of adaptations are:
◦ Thick, waxy cuticle, waterproof leaves to protect from wind damage and salt
spray
◦ Sturdy long roots to hold the plant in place in the loose, sandy soil
◦ Growing low to the ground to prevent being damaged by wind
Importance of Sandy Beach Ecosystem
◦ Native beach vegetation prevents beach erosion by holding the sand in place.
◦ They also act as a natural wind break.
◦ The seashore provides habitat for many unique creatures.
◦ The Bahamas is signatory to the Biodiversity Convention. This means that
we have pledged to the world to preserve the biodiversity of The Bahamas.
◦ The seashore is a fine example of a unique ecosystem with a great variety of
flora and fauna.
