On the Marine Mollusca of Studland Bay, Dorset, and the Supply of Lime to the Sand Dunes

Abstract

Analysis is made as to how the topography of the area originated. Sand dunes have been accumulating from the 17th century to the present day. The sand is deficient in lime due to lack of fragmentation of molluscan shells by the weak wave action on the beach so that the wind can carry them up into the dunes. 56 spp. of shells were identified on the beach. Among Gastropods, Littorina littoralis was predominant; among Lamellibranchs, Cardium edule, Mytilus edulis, Spisula spp., and Ensis siliqua were most abundant.