Mediterranean Coastal Sand Dune Vegetation: Influence of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors

摘要: The aim of the present work was to assess conservation status coastal dune systems in Tuscany (Italy). Emphasis given presence and abundance plant communities identified as habitat accordance with Directive 92/43/EEC. Twenty transects perpendicular shoreline were randomly positioned on whole area (30 km length) order sample full spectrum communities. Vegetation zonation relationships most frequent disturbance factors study area—beach cleaning, coastline erosion, paths roads, bathing settlements trampling—were investigated through principal coordinate analysis canonical correspondence analysis. Natural factors, such distance from sea total length, also considered. Differences sites found, ranging disappearance foredune habitats complete psammophilous (sand-loving) Erosion, trampling, found be closely correlated degradation loss. Furthermore, overall species diversity dunes measured NHDune, a modified version Shannon index; while incidence invasive taxa calculated using N, naturalness index. However, these indices proved weaker bioindicator ecosystem integrity than composition along transects. A possible strategy for management areas could protect foredunes erosion limit trampling installation footbridges or use appropriate fences.