It absorbs the moisture it needs from the air and gets its nutrients from rainwater, dust, and perhaps from insects and spiders that live in the base of the plants. Sand is the soil of Florida scrub. Sometimes it's sugary white, sometimes yellow. Living in sand can be tough. Compared to particles in other soil types, sand grains are large and hold virtually no nutrients or water.
Rain drains through sand rapidly and the upper layers of sand dry out quickly.
The surface can also become dangerously hot and dry. Sand is also very abrasive. Yet many species of plants and animals have adapted to these conditions and some species can live nowhere else. The Advantages of Burrowing When you walk along a sandy path in scrub, you may see a rich diversity of plants and animals. However, many animals may be in burrows and tunnels beneath your feet.