Sand forest

Sand forests are found in Maputaland in South Africa, as well as parts of the Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, along with Malaysia and Indonesia in Asia.

However, it is thought that the sand forests are the fragments of coastal dunes which were separated from the ocean over millions of years as the shoreline and water level slowly shifted.

[3] Because sandy soils can result from a number of different processes (nutrient leaching, tectonic activity, river dynamics, etc.

Distinct sclerophylly, or vegetation with thickened, hardened foliage that slows moisture loss, is a characteristic of a vast number of the plants found in this region.

In no presence of herbivores however, the clay soil vegetation survived just as well as white sand specialists, but grew much taller and produced more leaf area.

[4] Sand forests have a thick humus layer due to the extremely low decomposition rates.

"[9] Due to nutrient deficiencies in campina soils, "shrubs and small trees typically have a dwarfed and rachitic aspect with reduced quantities of foliage" with many of the species being perennials and evergreens[9] Sand forests have vegetation gradients that closely coincide with saturation gradients.

[10] Blackwater rivers (e.g. the Rio Negro) commonly begin in these sand forests due to their accumulation of humic matter that is easily washed downstream, particularly after heavy rainfall.

They often forage in the underbrush to find food because of the thick organic layers found in the sand forests.

Sand forests are extremely sensitive to destruction due to the harsh growth and survival conditions.

Although they are not immediately threatened, sand forests are still in danger from ever-increasing deforestation, hydroelectric projects, and mineral extractions.