Effects of artificial light on flowering of foredune vegetation

Abstract

The impact of ecological light pollution involves alteration of periods of natural light, a fact that has proven effects on ecosystems. Few studies have focused on the impact of this pollution on wild plant species, and none on coastal dune plants. Many coastal dunes and their plants are adjacent to tourist areas, and these might be affected by light pollution. Such is the case of the Natural Reserve Dunas de Maspalomas (Gran Canaria), where some individuals of the plant species Traganum moquinii, located in the El Inglés beach foredune zone, are affected by light pollution. This study examines the effect of light pollution on the flowering process and, by extension, the reproductive cycle of these plants. Plants located closer to high artificial illumination sources receive ~2,120 h/yr of intense light more than plants located furthest from those artificial lighting sources. Parts of the plants of Traganum moquinii exposed directly to the artificial light show a significant decrease in the production of flowers, compared to the parts in plants in shade, and to the plants more distant from artificial lights. In consequence, plants exposed more directly to artificial light have a lower potential for seed reproduction. The spectrum of artificial light also affects the plants, and light between 600 and 700 nm primarily affects the reproductive cycle of the Traganum moquinii species. The implications for the ecological and geomorphological functioning of the dune system are discussed, because this species plays a decisive role in the formation of foredune zones and nebkhas in arid dune systems.

A DIY Low-Cost Wireless Wind Data Acquisition System Used to Study an Arid Coastal Foredune

“…However, they can also be found in arid regions, where continuous foredunes do not build up [38][39][40]. Such is the case in the Canary Islands, where the dry climate conditions present at coastal level only allow the formation of nebkhas, mainly associated with the nanerophytic bush Traganum moquinii [41][42][43][44]. The habitat of this species is basically the coastal dunes, from the backshore to around 200 meters inside the dune field.…”

“…The habitat of this species is basically the coastal dunes, from the backshore to around 200 meters inside the dune field. Its worldwide distribution is constrained to the NW coast of Africa, from Morocco to Mauritania, and it is also found in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde archipelagos [43].…”

“…The selected plot covered 1782.8 square meters and was chosen for the following reasons. First, given what has happened in the central sector, the northern and southern dunes have been severely affected by tourism development [43,47]. Second, the plot is located sufficiently far from the tourist areas and the zones used for sunbeds and parasols to minimize the risk of interaction with anthropic activities during the experiments.…”

Artificial Light at Night: A Global Threat to Plant Biological Rhythms and Eco-Physiological Processes

“…Thus, flowering behaviour of the plant species varies with ALAN (timing, duration, intensity, and spectrum etc.). Similarly, a study conducted on foredune vegetation such as Traganum moquinii receiving various light intensities during the year and author suggested that vegetation which face direct light or close to light source affected more and their flower and seed production is reduced drastically compared to species which located far from light source [50]. Also the flowering period can vary (reduced or increased) under ALAN, depend upon the type of plant species with their genetic constituents.…”

Response of Vegetation Photosynthetic Phenology to Urbanization in Dongting Lake Basin, China

“…They also found that urbanization advanced the SOS by an average of 11.9 days and delayed the EOS by an average of 5.4 days when compared with those in surrounding rural areas. In addition, accumulating evidence has revealed that urbanization could influence vegetation physiology and phenology by altering the nightlight conditions [20,21]. For example, artificial light pollution affects the flowering phenology by altering the photoperiod [22].…”