Source: wikibot/barrier-islands
= Barrier islands
{wiki=Barrier_islands}
Barrier islands are coastal landforms that provide protection to the mainland from the effects of waves, storms, and erosion. They are typically long, narrow islands that run parallel to the coast and are separated from the mainland by a lagoon, bay, or estuary. These islands are often composed of sand and are characterized by dynamic environments, including beaches, dunes, salt marshes, and sometimes coastal forests.