The effects of erosion and accretion on plant communities in coastal dunes in north of Turkey

Abstract

Coastal erosion resulted in dramatic changes in the structure of coastal dune communities for example many characteristic species may be removed from dune zones. The effects of coastal erosion on coastal dune communities in north of Turkey were investigated along seashore-inland gradient. It has been found that the severity of erosion caused to increase the differences among coastal dune communities. Our results also implied that embryonic shifting dunes represented by Achilleo maritimo-Elymetum farcti (EU Habitat 2110) and shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white dunes) represented by Medicagini marinae-Ammophiletum arundinacea (EU Habitat 2120) were more prone to coastal dynamics. It has been found that the severity of erosion caused to increase the differences among coastal dune communities.