This dune area belongs to the younger dunes, formed between 1200 and 1700. From the seaboard, where marram grass grows abundantly, the vegetation gradually changes to gorse scrubs. Further inland, species like hawthorn, eglantine and blackberries thrive. Even further inland the vegetation of dune grass, scrubs and woodland changes to natural deciduous forest. A pine forest grows in the middle of the reserve.
Because the dunes have been planted to prevent wind erosion and because of the collection of drinking water, they are liable to colonization by common species like wood small-reed and American hackberry. This invasion of the landscape is prevented by grazing of the dune grassland. The grazing animals make sure the original dune vegetation has enough space to thrive. Over the past years, a number of dune valleys have been restored.
The diverse landscape of the dunes, where dense shrubbery alternates with grassland, water and woodlands, is tremendously favourable for a rich diversity of plants and animals. A special point of interest is the large population of fallow deer in Oranjezon, sharing the area with the roe deer. In the autumn, Oranjezon is the domain of thousands of migratory birds, foraging on the abundance of berries.

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