No vegetation can withstand these powerful forces, but ghost crabs, gulls, and migrating shorebirds are common here. Sand dunes form a line of defense, protecting marsh and woodlands from high tides and storms. Like the beach, the dunes are exposed to the powerful forces of nature. However, dunes are able to support vegetation which helps to stabilize the sandy soil. Wax myrtle, highbush blueberry, bayberry, wild black cherry, and persimmon dominate Refuge shrublands.
Woodlands consist mostly of live oak and loblolly pines.
Shrubland and woodland habitats are found in areas of higher elevation, where the soil is well drained and the harsh effects of the ocean are not as dramatic. Raptors, rabbits, squirrels, and deer are commonly found here. Edges between major habitats, such as between land and sea, are places where wildlife is most active. In fact, coastal barrier habitats are thought to harbor a greater variety of bird species than any other ecosystem in the continental United States. In many cases, this diversity occurs within an extremely narrow area.