A methodological approach for assessing the effects of disturbance factors on the conservation status of Mediterranean coastal dune systems

摘要: Questions How can the conservation status of Mediterranean coastal dunes be assessed? What is effect disturbance factors on it? Location Tyrrhenian coast Central Italy. Methods Vegetation releves along 164 transects lying perpendicular to shoreline Tyrrhenian Italy were used identify presence dune habitats by means TWINSPAN classification and detrended correspondence analysis. Multiple analysis was analyse relationship between factors. The resulting Burt's table build an index (habitat-disturbance, HDi) for analysing this relationship. Based HDi values, a (CA) presence/absence disturbances performed. overall plant species diversity measured with NHDUNE, modified version Shannon index. Multi-way ANOVA procedure investigate single their interactive NHDUNE. Results Classification ordination procedures identified four sequential moving from inland: annual vegetation drift lines characterized Cakile maritima; embryonic shifting dominated Elymus farctus; Ammophila arenaria subsp. australis; back grasslands Ononis variegata. CA showed that influence differently. In particular, community had negative beach tourism mechanical cleaning; positive cleaning erosion bathing establishments; establishments cross-trampling; establishment. According multi-way ANOVA, have different effects as NHDUNE. However, negative, factor combination significantly lowering systems. Conclusions The proposed method allows fast replicable evaluation dunes, providing information necessary development strategies focusing habitat or system.