European Beachgrass (IMAGE) Washington University in St. Louis Caption European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria), seen encroaching in the background, was introduced in the mid-1800s to stabilize sand dune. (Ammophila means sand lover. And in fact the grass requires regular inputs of fresh sand to stay healthy, apparently because the sand lets it escape from soil pathogens.) In western North America, the grass completely alters the profile of the first rise of sand on the beach, turning a low, hummocky foredune into a steep, continuous ridge, a change that has severe repercussions for the entire native dune community. Credit Eleanor Pardini/WUSTL Usage Restrictions please credit as shown License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.