New Zealand is home to 15,000 km of coastline and we love it! Batches by the beach, weekend fishing and picnics on the sand. But there is vitally important, often unnoticed species that is the reason we can enjoy the dunes and the protection they offer on the other side.
Our dunes are the number one defence in storm surges and rising sea levels, helping to prevent coastal flooding and protecting coastal communities. They store and supply sand to eroding shorelines and provide important habitat for our coastal fauna.
The 5 best native plants that protect our sand dunes.
1.Spenifex sericeus
Spinifex is one of the most iconic sand dune plants in New Zealand. Its long, tough leaves or 'runners' that grow into long rhizomes, forming dense mats that trap windblown sand. The extensive root system of spinifex helps to bind the sand together, building up and stabilizing the dunes against wind and water erosion.
2.Ficinia spiralis
Also known as Pingao or Golden sand sedge. Pingao also has a deep root system that helps to anchor the dunes in place. This sand sedge works in a similar way to Spinifex in the way it traps sand.
3. Disphyma australe
Disphyma australe known as New Zealand ice plant or horokaka, is a crucial part of
coastal sand dune ecosystems in New Zealand. The thick, succulent leaves
provide shade and protection for the sand surface, reducing evaporation and
helping to retain moisture in the dune ecosystem. It has a slower growing
nature and as a result it creates more dense mats to protect and trap the sand.
It is also a vibrant looking plant that produce bright flowers.
4.Muehlenbeckia complexa.
Also known as Pohuehue or coastal Muehlenbeckia or creeping wire vine. This is a coastal plant with wiry stems that form dense mats on the sand dunes. These mats help to stabilize the dunes by trapping sand and preventing wind erosion.
5.Coprosma acerosa
Sand coprosma is a low-growing shrub that is well-adapted to the harsh conditions of sand dunes. Its dense foliage helps to stabilize sand dunes by reducing wind erosion and creating microhabitats for other dune organisms. The extensive root system of sand coprosma also helps to bind sand together, preventing erosion.
The native sand dune plants of New Zealand, form an essential ecological fabric that safeguards the coastal landscape against erosion. Their unique adaptations, such as dense mat formation, succulent leaves, and extensive root systems, collectively contribute to stabilizing the sand dunes, conserving moisture, and protecting against wind and water erosion. Understanding and preserving these native plant species is crucial for maintaining the resilience and sustainability of New Zealand's coastal ecosystems in the face of modern-day environmental challenges.