The piles of sand that build up along the coast, dividing the flat beach from the inland areas, are called Sand Dunes. Sand Dunes play an important role to both the beaches that front them and the land behind them.  Dune systems act as a sand reserve and provide a barrier to salt intrusion from high tides and storm surges which protects the land behind the dunes from erosion.  Sand dunes are born when wind and waves from the ocean deposit organic matter onto the sand. The matter washed to the shore gets embedded in the sand and begins to grow. As the growing process continues, larger plants trap more sand, more sand grows larger plants, and year after year the cycle continues.

Sea oats, palmetto plants, sea grapes, and cabbage palms are among the many plant varieties that inhabit sand dunes.  Some of the older sand dunes support trees, like pine and live oak. Of all the plants found on Florida's beaches, sea oats are the most popular. 

Sea oats not only beautify the beaches, but also preserve and stabilize the sand dunes with deep root systems. Sea oats are "protected" under regulations of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).  Sea oats seeds can not be collected without a permit and the plants can not be cut back or removed.   For more information on Sand Dune Management and Vegetation Protection, click on the links below:

Guidelines for Beach & Dune Management 

Delray Beach Dune Revegetation