Beaches have different vegetation zones. These zones are categorized in terms of how close to the water the plants grow. Some plants like to live on the beach where they have easy access to water. Other plants like to live as deep in the water as they can without missing sunlight.  

Additional diversity is brought by animals that flourish in the different vegetation zones. Animals are attracted to vegetation as it provides food and protection. If an area is plant-free, it is likely that fewer animals will live there.

Vegetation zones can be distinguished on all beaches. On shallow beaches, the vegetation zones can be broad. On steep beaches, the vegetation zones take very narrow forms, and some vegetation zones can be completely absent. Different zones are not distinguished by clear boundaries. Instead, one vegetation zone changes to the next one gradually. The shape of the beach and the quality of its soil also dictate what kinds of plants are found in a certain vegetation zone.

• Beach plants are land plants that like wet conditions. For example, alder is a beach plant.
• Moving deeper towards the water, the beach plant zone transforms into the zone of aerial shoot plants. For example, reed is an aerial shoot plant.
• When we move deeper into the water, the zone of floating-leaf plants begins. For example, the water lily is a floating-leaf plant.
• The deepest zone is comprised of submerged plants. They grow completely under the water. For example, the perfoliate pondweed is a submerged plant.