Sand Dune Species Distribution and Size Variations in Two Areas Inside a Natural Protected Area Subjected to Different Human Disturbance

Loretta Gratani, Maria Fiore Crescente, Laura Varone, Emanuela Gini, Carlo Ricotta, Andrea Bonito

Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy..

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2013.49233                

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 (<0.5 plants^.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 ±

Keywords

Dune Vegetation; Human Disturbance; Plant Density; Organic Soil Matter

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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