wydmach

Wydma is a dune formed by wind-blown sand. The form wydmach is the locative plural in Polish, used in phrases such as "na wydmach" to mean "on the dunes." Dunes occur where loose sand is available and wind is strong enough to move it, typically in deserts and along coastlines. They consist of ridges and mounds that can drift or migrate over time under persistent wind.

Dune formation involves wind-driven sand transport (saltation) and deposition. Vegetation, moisture, and human activity influence stabilization. Dunes are classified by shape: barchan (crescent-shaped with horns downwind), transverse (ridges perpendicular to wind), linear, parabolic, and star dunes formed by variable winds. Dune fields can be dynamic, with sands migrating several meters per year in active areas.

Poland's Baltic coast hosts extensive dune systems, including the Łeba Sand Dunes in Słowiński National Park, one of Europe’s dynamic coastal dune complexes. These landscapes support specialized ecosystems and are popular for recreation and study. Conservation and management seek to balance access with stabilization measures to preserve the ecological and scenic value of wydmy.