Vegetative physiographic analysis of a U.S. northern barrier system

Vegetative physiographic analysis of a U.S. northern barrier system Article

Zaremba, RE, Leatherman, SP. (1986). Vegetative physiographic analysis of a U.S. northern barrier system . 8(4), 193-207. 10.1007/BF02524947

A quantitative analysis of historical aerial photographs and maps coupled with detailed field surveys provided the data necessary to assess the importance of overwash processes and vegetative recovery on Nauset Spit, Cape Cod, Massachusetts Development of all plant communities and physiographic features is extremely rapid on the spit. Dunes are evident from aerial photographic analysis in as little as three years after overwash; salt marshes are apparent in only ten years. Classical ecological succession does not appear to occur on Nauset Spit, since environments are periodically altered by overwash processes. Most dominant species on the barrier can grow in bare sandy substrate. Migration of the Nauset Spit, system proceeds by a cyclic series of events, involving inlet dynamics, overwash processes, and dune building © 1986 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.