Lake Michigan coastal dunes are products of their coastal, midlatitude, temperate environment. These freshwater dunes are populated by flora and fauna adapted to living close to a large, midlatitude lake.The climate includes a distinct summer and winter, a variety of weather patterns, and precipitation throughout the year. Dune processes are affected by seasonal wind patterns, moist dune surfaces, snow and ice. Changing lake levels affect the growth and destruction of the dunes closest to the lake.

For descriptions of the environmental conditions that influence Lake Michigan coastal dunes, see the section on Environment. The section on Processes includes seasonal activity on the dunes.