There are many subtle differences in strand vegetation produced on windward versus leeward sides of dunes. A particular plant species may create a microhabitat that either favors or discourages other species from growing nearby. General Characteristics and Adaptations. Most strand species are perennials. Typical perennial dicotyledons have a deep taproot, generally reaching several meters to wet sand at the water table.
Annuals tend to have more shallow, fibrous roots.
The most salt-tolerant species tend to be those on the leading edge of vegetation. For example, Cakile maritima can tolerate being wetted by relatively high concentrations of seawater, and Abronia maritima is also extremely tolerate of salinity. Nonetheless, Ambrosia chamissonis occurs on the leading edge but is relatively salt-sensitive. On strand of temperate shorelines, nearly all species are C3 plants, the commonest exception being Atriplex , whereas in subtropical and tropical latitudes, C4 grasses generally comprise a large portion of the biomass. There appears to be no local zonation of these two types of plants.