Changes in plant species composition of coastal dune habitats over a 20-year period

Abstract

Coastal sandy ecosystems are increasingly being threatened by human pressure, causing loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation. Using phytosociological relevés we conducted a re-visitation study in order to analyse changes in floristic composition during the last twenty years along the central Adriatic coast. We observed a significant increase in cover of fore dune and thermophilic species. Even though human activities are major driving forces of change in coastal dune vegetation, the species' cover increase may also be due to a moderate increment in average yearly temperature over the last two decades.

Can Vegetation Removal Successfully Restore Coastal Dune Biodiversity?

“…This is due to dramatic population expansion and urban development along coastal plains, coupled with changes in land-use practices and climate-related changes in aeolian processes. [1,[8][9][10]. Globally this has led to substantial increases in dune fixation (stabilization) and a significant loss of naturally mobile (shifting) dunes [11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

The role of Italian coastal dunes as carbon sinks and diversity sources. A multi-service perspective

“…Even supposing an increase in soil carbon storage for Mediterranean coastal dunes due to enhanced vegetation cover as an effect of climate change (Del Vecchio et al 2015), their irreplaceable value as biodiversity sources goes beyond their carbon sink potential, since coastal dune diversity is unique, while other ecosystems can act as soil carbon pools. Although carbon storage and sequestration are significant for climate change mitigation, exclusive focus on carbon benefits could concentrate land use pressures to non-forest ecosystems, with potentially deleterious impacts on coastal dune biodiversity and functionality (Campbell et al, 2009).…”

“…Central Adriatic coast(Del Vecchio et al, 2013;Del Vecchio et al, 2015). The focal taxa checklist is reported in the Appendix.…”

Not just a sandy beach. The multi-service value of Mediterranean coastal dunes

“…Italian Adriatic coast (Géhù and Biondi, 1996;Del Vecchio et al, 2016;Prisco et al, 2012;Stanisci et al, 2014). The number of focal species and the conservation status per habitat for each N2K site are reported in Appendix F.…”