Now native species have the opportunity to flourish. Volunteers planted native coastal strand and dune species such as beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) and sea oats (Uniola paniculata) in place of the removed non-native vegetation. These species are are the closest to the water, which means they have to be hardy species! The plant communities here need to withstand the high-energy shoreline with events such as wave and tide action, sand burial, and salt spray. In addition to providing habitat for native species, natural vegetation provides terrain stability by creating a buffer against waves, wind and tidal fluxes during storms.