
NPS Photo
Equally important as these cliffs in scientific significance are the Grand Sable Dunes, sand dunes with unique plant communities perched atop five square miles of high sand/rock bluffs at the eastern end of the park. Miles of unspoiled beaches are a third prominent feature of the park.
The scientific features of the national lakeshore reach far beyond the visually spectacular. Because of its location within the transition zone between the boreal and eastern deciduous forest biomes, Pictured Rocks has elements of both forest types. Hardwood forests of maple and beech are prevalent, but conifers dominate some sites. Soils range from well drained sandy soils to hydric soils. Streams, ponds, marshes, bogs, and other aquatic habitats are abundant. Lake Superior wields a powerful climatic force over the region; by keeping adjacent lands warmer in winter and cooler in summer, it greatly influences physical conditions that impact the park's plant and animal communities.