The classification of coastal dune vegetation in Central Black Sea Region of Turkey by numerical methods and EU habitat types

Abstract

Coastal sand dune vegetation in Central Black Sea Region of Turkey was investigated by numerical methods. Eight plant associations were determined according to two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). Plant associations were also classified according to NATURA 2000 and European Nature Information System. Coastal dune ecosystems in the Central Black Sea Region include eight habitat types. Eight plant associations belonging to four classes, order and alliances are described and five of them are new associations. TWINSPAN revealed the existence of a gradient from drift line to the inner parts. These have been separated into shifting dunes and fixed dunes. DCA allowed determining the plant associations in shifting dunes along the shoreline as well as the annual vegetation of drift line and embryonic shifting dunes and of fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation. The syntaxonomical classification is given in the following: CAKILETEA MARITIMAE R. Tx. & Preising in Br. -Bl. & R. Tx. 1952 Cakiletalia integrifoliae R. Tx. Oberd. 1949 corr. Rivas-Martinez, Costa & Loidi 1992 Cakilion maritimae Pignatti 1953 Salsolo ruthenico-Cakiletum maritimae Costa & Mansanet 1981 Rivas-Martinez et al. 1992 Euphorbio paralias-Eryngietum maritimi ass nova AMMOPHILETEA Br. -Bl. Et R. Tx ex Westhoff et al. 1946 Ammophietalia arundinaceae Br. -Bl. 1933 Ammophilion australis Br.-Bl. 1921 corr. Rivas-Martinez, Costa & Izco in Rivas-Martinez, Lous, T.E. Diaz, Fernandez-Gonzalez & J.C. Costa 1990 Medicagini marinae-Ammophiletum arundinaceae Br.-Bl. 1921 corr. Fernandez Prieto & T. E. Diaz 1991 Verbasco thapsus-Eleagnetum rhamnoidi Korkmaz et al. 2012 (KA +/- lA +/- nc and Ozkanca 1991) nom. novum Achilleo maritimo-Elymetum farcti ass. Nova JUNCETEA MARITIMI Br.-Bl. 1956 Juncetalia maritimi Br.-Bl. 1931 Sophoro alopecurioides-Elymetum elongati ass nova Sileno thymifoliae-Jurinion kileae G,hu et al. 1989 Sileno otitis-Vulpietum fasciculatae ass nova TUBERARIETEA GUTTATAE (Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl., Roussine & NSgre 1952) Rivas-Goday & Rivas-Martinez 1963 nom. mut. propos. in Rivas-Martinez, T.E. Diaz, Fernandez Gonzalez, Izco, Loidi, Lous & Penas 2002 Malcolmietalia Rivas Goday, 1958 Alkanno-Maresion nanae Rivas Goday ex Rivas Goday & Rivas-Martinez 1963 corr. Diez-Garretas, Asensi & Rivas-Martinez 2001 Euphorbio terracinae-Laguretum ovati ass nova.