Temporal development of vegetation and geomorphology in a man‐made beach‐dune system by natural processes

Abstract

Vestergaard, P. 2006. Temporal development of vegetation and geomorphology in a man-made beach-dune system by natural processes. -Nord. J. Bot. 24: 309-326. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107-055X.Twenty-four yrs of primary succession in a man-made beach-dune system at the Baltic coast of Denmark, built of calcareous, marine sand and the dune planted with Ammophila arenaria, was studied by qualitative observations, quantitative records in permanent plots, levelling and soil analysis within a selected area of 0.75 ha. The aim of the study was to discuss whether human initiated and influenced beach and dune dynamics mimick natural beach and dune processes, and to discuss the relationship between succession and zonation. During the study period, which started in 1979, the man-made dune stabilized rather fast. In the stabilized dune, a sand-pararendzina with a thin A-horizon developed. The beach expanded by accretion of less calcareous, marine sand. On the beach new dunes, 3 m high, successively developed. The number of species in the study area increased from 16 to 55, accompanied by species and life form dynamics, characteristic for primary succession on sandy coasts. A gradual change in species composition of the permanent plots, which appeared by a DCA analysis, could by using TWMSPAN be structured into four groups or plant communities, which reflect succession as well as zonation. Two groups represent the vegetation of sandy beaches with annual dicotyledon species, and mobile dunes dominated by rhizomatous geophytes, especially A. arenaria. The two other groups represent stabilized, calcareous dune, dominated by hemicryptophytes, specially Festuca rubra, and less stabilized dune with R rubra and the invasive alien Rosa rugosa. It was concluded, that the main trends in the geomorphological and vegetational development of the man-made beach-dune system is similar to the development in natural dunes. In the future, fiuther accretion and seaward dune formation may be expected, but is it also expected, that larger parts of the area gradually will be covered by low scrubs of R. rugosa.

Using functional traits and species diversity to evaluate restoration success of coastal dunes

“…As previously demonstrated elsewhere, we found that marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) plantation combined with trampling protection is a very efficient method allowing sand accretion and dune building (Lillis et al, 2004;Vestergaard, 2004;Grafals-Soto, 2012). Although This positive effect of restoration on sand accumulation was followed by an increase in gamma species richness and by an increase in vegetation conservation status at the alpha (i.e.…”

“…As previously demonstrated elsewhere, we found that marram grass ( Ammophila arenaria ) plantation combined with trampling protection is a very efficient method allowing sand accretion and dune building (Lillis et al, 2004; Vestergaard, 2004; Grafals‐Soto, 2012). Although the global outcome was positive, we found that sand accumulation mainly occurred in the first 10 years following restoration, with discrepancies among sites during the last decade.…”

Biodiversity conservation in cities: Defining habitat analogs for plant species of conservation interest

“…In the last decade, researchers have combined life form and floristic vegetation description methods to overcome difficulties in analyzing data in disturbed habitats. For example, Vestergaard [93] generated quadrat groups based on floristic data through TWINSPAN and then described the life-form spectra in each to investigate the relationship between plant diversity and artificial dune development processes. Although similar to our methodology, Vestergaard did not use this combined methodology to define habitat analogs for target plant species.…”

Ecological Impacts of Coastal Protection on the Vegetation of Sandy Coasts at the German Baltic Sea Coast

“…Festuca sp. and Senecio vulgaris dominate stabilized dunes under low-nutrient conditions [69][70][71]. Other species rely on already-developed soil to establish a population, which is only provided at the groyne and control sites, e.g., Hypochaeris radicata [72], or developed dune landscapes with depressions and increased soil moisture, e.g., Juncus sp.…”