Assessing land take and its effects on dune carbon pools. An insight into the Mediterranean coastline

摘要: Abstract In the Mediterranean sandy coasts urban growth largely occurs to sustain sea-side tourism, causing a severe loss of natural coastal dune habitats and related ecosystem services. During last half-century dunes integrity has been widely altered by land use change; however, procedures study cases assessing how in particular their carbon storage sequestration capacity are affected take over this period still scarse. To fill such knowledge gap, we investigated which extent soil sink representative sector system, from 1954 2006. Specifically, propose procedure that combining experimental data stocks multi-temporal cover maps allows C stock variation time. Based on field quantified provided main habitat types Adriatic coast (Beach with Pioneer annual Vegetation, Herbaceous Dune Vegetation Macchia). Using detailed (1954, 1986 2006) fraction replaced areas time, means transition matrices. Then, values results matrices, estimated for due take. Results show have an important role as sinks depleted them different rates, total net 117 t first time step 70 t second (∼40% 53 years). Our work underlines fragility dunes, during decades become privileged destination touristic recreational activities, thus progressively artificial areas, direct impact other precious services they provide. By measurements mapping techniques, enhanced our understanding transformation processes offering well new insights management.