Ecosystem of a Beach

Dunes

• A main part of many beach ecosystems is the dune area. Dunes consist of small sandy hills and mounds and usually occur above the high tide mark with beach grasses holding them together. Dunes support an array of marine and bird life. Sea birds often use the sheltered dunes as nesting areas and lay their eggs in them. Other creatures such as turtles may visit dunes seeking shelter and safe places to lay their eggs. Dunes support a variety of sea grasses, which help fight erosion and are also home to a variety of coastal dwelling insects.

Birds

• Birds almost always inhabit a beach ecosystem as beaches and inshore coastal waters offer a variety of life that can sustain them. Scavenging birds such as gulls and terns occur in many beach ecosystems. Large oceangoing migratory seabirds such as albatrosses can have their nesting and breeding grounds near beaches. Other seabirds such as penguins make beach ecosystems their home. Pelicans and plovers are also common to many beach areas, and many other bird varieties feed off the inshore fish in the shallow waters.

Sand

• The beaches themselves support a lot of organisms as well. From the low water to the high tide mark and in the inshore shallow waters and rocky outcrops, you can find a variety of crabs, molluscs, lice, parasites and crustaceans. Ponds formed by the retreating tides can support starfish, shrimp, barnacles, algae, marine insects and small fish.

Marine Life

• The warm shallow offshore waters of beach ecosystems teem with life. From plankton to large predatory shallow water sharks there is usually a vast array of plants and animals. Many beach ecosystems also have offshore coral reef systems which, along with being living organisms themselves, support numerous fish species and marine plants. Seaweed and kelp often occur near beaches, stingrays seek sunlight in the shallow waters, and the tides often wash jellyfish into the enclosed beach spaces.

People

• The final part of a beach ecosystem -- and often the most destructive -- is people. Humans are drawn to beach ecosystems for recreation and economic activity and can often, either willfully or ignorantly, do a lot of damage to a fragile ecosystem. For example, sometimes people ride motorcycles or off-road vehicles in dune areas and destroy the nests of turtles and sea birds. The excessive gathering of shellfish can deplete beach areas of a vital part of the food chain. Dogs people allow to roam free can kill nesting chicks or other beach inhabitants like penguins. Litter and pollution are problems as well. Often people are unaware of the effects their actions have on the environment, so signage, education and foreknowledge can be effective ways to reduce negative human impact.