| Wind processes
that shape dunes are influenced by factors that speed up or slow down
the wind, change wind direction, or determine whether sand is available
to be moved by the wind. Some environments have relatively few factors
to affect wind processes. On a flat sandy desert surface, for example,
the important variables are wind speed, wind direction, and sand size.
In comparison, midlatitude coastal dunes have many factors that can
affect wind processes. This makes Lake Michigan coastal dunes particularly
interesting to observe and study—even if it does complicate
research. |
