Duach beach is an example of machair. This is a maritime sand plain, usually calcareous. It is one of the rarest habitats in Europe, found only on the west coasts of Britain and Ireland. Machair develops under conditions of extreme exposure, where Atlantic gales drive the sand inland to create low plains. It contains great floristic diversity and provides a habitat for many greasland species that are restricted elsewhere.
Dune systems are under increasing threat from developments such as golf courses, campsites and hotels. They also suffer from recreational pressures such as horse riding, motorbikes and from large numbers of people walking through them to access beaches in high summer.
Wha can you do to help?
The dunes and marram grass can be damaged by walking through them:
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints