The sandy soils have high conductivities, experience rapid drainage and may result in very dry conditions. While the water table is rarely more than 1.5 to 2 meters below the surface, local argiculture is irrigation based. Unlike crops the natural vegetation have root systems that easily find groundwater. Climatic Factors Affecting Flora and Fauna VCR is one of the most dynamic of all the LTER sites. Sea level change of a few centimeters ov er a several years can alter tree species dominance in the estuarine upland.
Storms are particularly important.
A major storm can convert vegetated dunes to unvegetated open beach in a single event. They play a continual role in shaping and reshaping the landscape of the islands. Low temperatures are not usually a constraint upon plant growth. Growing season can exceed 250 days. Literature Cited Bryson, R. A. and F. K. Hare.