Evaluation of the phytosociological data as a tool for indicating coastal dune degradation

Abstract

The flora of the sand dunes on the coast of Çukurova in Turkey is summarized and conclusions are based on field observations from the last decade. Vegetation characteristics were utilized as bio-indicators to determine the degradation of coastal dune. The vegetation was classified into two groups--natural dune vegetation and synanthropic vegetation. During the phytosociological investigations 111 taxa were identified in the area between the estuary of Berdan River and Yumurtalik. Fifty-one percent of the taxa represent natural dune vegetation. The other species were synanthropic species that occur in man-made habitats. The impacts of the major land use types have been determined using species richness and vegetation cover (as a percentage of the vascular plant species). Detrended Correspondence Analysis was used to obtain an effective description of vegetation change on the sand dunes and its relation along the land use gradient from undisturbed to disturbed dunes. The results of the ordination suggest that dune vegetation has been degraded by agriculture, recreation, and afforestation.