Warren Dunes State Park
Mapping Dune Grass Compared to Open Sand on Dunes— Blowouts
ASK: Does Marram grass stabilize the dune?
IMAGINE: Students brainstorm ideas about wind, water, and plants with backdunes and blowouts. Students write a claim for percentage needed for sand dunes to stabilize
PLAN: Materials could include—-> Sand tubs, protractors; ropes (measuring square meter field plots); trundle wheels
-Methods:
a. Large plastic tubs used to determine the slope or angel of sand stability
b. Students take actual field measurements; map out percent of open sand to percent of grass and plant covering sand; use copy of map to determine percent open blowouts to percent plant cover on the dune area
This activity is great for any park with dunes, such as Ludington SP, Hoffmaster SP, or Saugatuck Dunes SP!
Related Links:
Hoffmaster State Park aerial view of dunes
Dynamic Dunescapes - Information About Dunes
