Beach grasses, such as American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata), dominate the beaches of the U.S. East Coast, stabilizing sand dunes and preventing erosion.

Beach grasses are well-adapted to the harsh coastal environment of the U.S. East Coast. Their deep root systems help bind sand, which stabilizes dunes and protects the shoreline from wind and water erosion. Sand dunes, while present, are a landform and not vegetation. Coastal pines are more common in upland coastal forests, and mangroves are found in warmer, subtropical regions like Florida, not along the East Coast’s temperate beaches. Beach grasses are vital for maintaining the integrity of these coastal ecosystems.