How do salt-laden coastal winds contribute to scrubland vegetation?

Salt-laden coastal winds act as a natural stressor that contributes to the development of scrubland vegetation on coastal promontories. In these environments, the harsh conditions created by the salt spray inhibit the growth of trees, allowing shrubs to become the dominant plant species.1

While moisture shortage is the primary driver for most scrublands, these coastal winds are among the specific environmental factors—alongside seasonal or yearlong cold—that naturally produce scrubland ecosystems in areas where trees cannot thrive.1