TITLE:
Sand Dune Species Distribution and Size Variations in Two Areas Inside a Natural Protected Area Subjected to Different Human Disturbance
AUTHORS:
Loretta Gratani, Maria Fiore Crescente, Laura Varone, Emanuela Gini, Carlo Ricotta, Andrea Bonito
KEYWORDS:
Dune Vegetation; Human Disturbance; Plant Density; Organic Soil Matter
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.4 No.9,
September
13,
2013
ABSTRACT: Sand dune species were analyzed
across two areas included in the “Roman Coastal State Nature Reserve” (Italy):
Ostia (O) and Marina di Palidoro (P). Significant variations in species distribution,
dry mass and size over the gradient from
the water-edge toward the inland between O and P were
observed. Species colonize O, on an average, at 79 m from the
water-edge extended along the gradient toward the inland over a length of 26 m. PD is 40.8 ± 9.9 plants.m-2. Ononis variegata and Elymus farctus have the highest PD (15.4 ± 1.3 plants.m-2),
followed by Silene colorata and Sporobulus pungens (4.3 ± 3.9 plants.m-2), by Cakile maritima, Echinophora
spinosa, Eryngium maritimum, Ammophila arenaria, Anthemis maritima, Cyperus
capitatus, Medicago marina and Calystegia soldanella (.m-2), with C. soldanella having the lowest PD (0.02
plants.m-2). On an average, in P, the species colonize the
dune at 17 m from the water-edge for a length of 46 m toward the inland, PD
is on an average 21.5 ± 16.1 plants.m-2. S. pungens, E. farctus and O. variegata have the highest PD (6.0 ±