The beach and dune community is found along the shoreline, and is formed by rigorous wave activity and wind depositing sand, which forms a mound called a dune. Dunes provide habitat for a number of plants specially adapted to the salty environment and nutrient poor “soil.” These plants help create dunes through the anchoring characteristics of their root systems. Commonly found species are sea oats (Uniola paniculata), beach cordgrass (Spartina patens), railroad vine (Cucurbita foetidissima), and dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis).

Dunes act as natural barriers to wind and sea erosion making them important assets in shoreline defense against severe storms and even hurricanes. Dunes absorb the impact of the storm surge, helping to protect coastal cities and towns.

This environment is a particularly harsh one. Vegetation here must be tolerant of unstable, nutrient-poor soil, extreme exposure to sun, wind and salt spray and of course storms. Even after surviving the rigors of nature, ironically this community is very vulnerable to human impact. Human tread or off-road vehicles can damage this vegetation, starting a process of dune erosion. This is why boardwalks and footpaths are often erected to protect this dynamic environment.