Mediterranean coastal dunes are affected by high levels of human disturbance, particularly in the last years. Disturbance not only promotes a physical alteration that increases the invasibility of coastal dunes, but also allows the arrival of new alien plant propagules. This study examined the current distribution of the native and alien species growing on coastal dunes in central Italy, considering alien origin, invasive status and growth form strategies. The floristic sampling was carried out following the European Cartographic Project protocol. Major trends in wild plant distribution in coastal dunes were identified through Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA). High floristic diversity was found with consistent numbers of alien species and clear differences between the Tyrrhenian and the Adriatic coast. There was also a negative relationship between the total number of alien species and the species richness of the plot, probably related to disturbance. Results showed that the percentage of the total alien flora was related to species richness of the plot. Finally, invasive aliens appeared to be related to either annual or perennial evergreen strategies.

Patterns of native and alien plant species occurrence on coastal dunes in Central Italy

FRATTAROLI, Anna Rita;
2008-01-01

Abstract

Mediterranean coastal dunes are affected by high levels of human disturbance, particularly in the last years. Disturbance not only promotes a physical alteration that increases the invasibility of coastal dunes, but also allows the arrival of new alien plant propagules. This study examined the current distribution of the native and alien species growing on coastal dunes in central Italy, considering alien origin, invasive status and growth form strategies. The floristic sampling was carried out following the European Cartographic Project protocol. Major trends in wild plant distribution in coastal dunes were identified through Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA). High floristic diversity was found with consistent numbers of alien species and clear differences between the Tyrrhenian and the Adriatic coast. There was also a negative relationship between the total number of alien species and the species richness of the plot, probably related to disturbance. Results showed that the percentage of the total alien flora was related to species richness of the plot. Finally, invasive aliens appeared to be related to either annual or perennial evergreen strategies.
2008
978-3-8236-1528-6
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11697/27010
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