1. Water Availability: Dunes are incredibly dry environments. Sand doesn't hold water well, and the wind constantly dries out any moisture present. This makes water scarcity a major challenge for dune plants. Forest environments, on the other hand, have much better water retention due to the presence of soil and decaying organic matter, as well as a more stable and sheltered environment.
2. Nutrient Availability: Dunes often have poor soil that lacks essential nutrients. The sand itself is largely devoid of nutrients, and the strong winds can quickly blow away any organic matter that does accumulate. Forest soils, in contrast, are typically richer in nutrients due to the decomposition of leaves and other organic matter. This leads to a different set of plants adapted to these different nutrient levels.
