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Rosser1954 (talk | contribs) A section on dune structure added |
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[[File:Rosa_rugosa_buds.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Rosa rugosa'' buds on [[Grape Island, Massachusetts]]]]
The dunes have suffered from non-native or inappropriate plantings such as alder, privet, and in particular the Rugosa rose (''[[Rosa rugosa]]''). It is a suckering [[shrub]] which develops new plants from the roots and forms dense thickets 1–1.50 m tall. In late summer and early autumn the plants unusually often bear fruit and flowers at the same time. Planted nearby at the car park as an [[ornamental plant]] it has spread to the reserve and is now widespread and expanding. It is extremely tolerant of seaside [[sodium chloride|salt]] spray and [[storm]]s and is considered an [[invasive species]]. At Stevenston it is out-compete native flora, thereby threatening the biological diversity of this Local Nature Reserve.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nobanis.org/files/factsheets/Rosa_rugosa.pdf |title=NOBANIS — Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet — ''Rosa rugosa'' |author=Weidema, I. |date=2006 |work=Online Database of the European Network on Invasive Alien Species — NOBANIS [http://www.nobanis.org www.nobanis.org] |publisher= |accessdate=29 August 2012}}</ref> It is hoped that volunteers will be able to prevent its further spread by digging it out and removing it.
==Sand dune structure==
The area has various types of habitat starting from the mean high water springs where low growing plants form the first barrier to wind blow and start the process of sand deposition. Above this level and out of reach of all but the highest tides, dune grasses trap sand and cause a 'pioneer zone' of mobile fore-dunes to develop. At this stage the dunes are known as 'yellow dunes' due to the lack of vegetation. Other plants colonise the areas between the grasses and as soil, water and nutrients increase and the supply of fresh sand decreases, a more diverse flora becomes established in this area, referred to as 'grey dunes'. Behind these dunes an area of dune slack exists, protected from the winds, periodically drying out. a biodiverse dune grassland with an area of wetland and scrub extends from this zone.
==Management==
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