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

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The effects of erosion and accretion on plant communities

in coastal dunes in north of Turkey

Senay Ulu Agır

1•

_{Hamdi Guray Kutbay}

1•

_{Burak Surmen}

2•

_{Emire Elmas}

3

Received: 19 August 2016 / Accepted: 13 January 2017 / Published online: 31 January 2017 Ó Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei 2017

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

rep-resented by Achilleo maritimo–Elymetum farcti (EU Habitat

2110) and shifting dunes along the shoreline with

Am-mophila 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.

Keywords

Central Black Sea region

Coastal dynamics

Similarity percentage

Zonation

1 Introduction

Coastal dunes are particularly dynamic environments

because of interactions among geology, climate, and

veg-etation and they are particularly sensitive to sea-level rise

(Miller et al.

2010

; Miller

2015

). It has been stated that an

environmental gradient formed in coastal dunes from

sea-shore to inland as a result of stress factors like salt spray,

sand burial, substrate instability, and nutrient limitations in

coastal dunes resulting in a characteristic zonation patterns

of plant communities (Isermann

2011

; Lane et al.

2008

;

Maun

2009

; Ruocco et al.

2014

). These zones are named as

upper beach or drift line, embryonic dune, mobile dune,

transitional (semi-fixed) dune, coastal dunes with

herba-ceous vegetation (gray dunes) and fixed dune, and they

have an important role on vegetation succession, resource

availability and disturbance exposure to the sea and

coastline dynamics (Ciccarelli et al.

2012

).

Physical alterations happening to the shoreline will

impact coastal processes such as waves, changes in sea

level, and sediment supply, and caused to the loss of

bio-logical diversity, erosion of beaches and loss of coastal

dune habitats and all of these changes can impact

ecosys-tem function, particularly shoreline stabilization (Sealey

et al.

2014

). Erosion and shoreline retreat often result in

man-made coastal defense structures that cover part of the

intertidal and upper-shore zones causing coastal squeeze

and habitat loss for coastal dune plants. Increasing coastal

erosion, due to sea-level rise, results in the restriction of

coastal plant communities to a narrow upper-shore habitat

& Burak Surmen

[email protected] Senay Ulu Agır [email protected] Hamdi Guray Kutbay [email protected] Emire Elmas

[email protected]

1 _{Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology,}

University of Ondokuz Mayıs, 55139 Kurupelit-Samsun, Turkey

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by the natural dynamism of the shoreline under the effects

of coastal erosion and accretion (Miller

2015

; Rodil et al.

2015

; Prisco et al.

2016a

).

Coastal dunes in Central Black Sea Region of Turkey

(north of Turkey) cover a relatively wide area (149 km).

Coastal sand dune vegetation have a typical plant zonation

starting from the seashore and the following zones are

formed: drift line (A), embryonic shifting or primary zone

(B), mobile dune zone (C), transitional (semi-fixed) dune

zone (D), coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (gray

dunes) (E) and fixed dune zone (F). However, these zones

may be lost due to human activities like sand extraction,

road construction, etc. (Monserrat et al.

2012

; Agır et al.

2014

). However, coastal dunes are threatened by several

factors mainly erosion, rice and hazelnut cultivation,

tourism activities, dams, house and road construction,

waste disposal, and plantation of trees and shrubs (Agır

et al.

2014

). The most striking of these factors are coastal

erosion because coastal erosion causes the loss of coastal

vegetation and mixing of characteristic dune zones (Alpar

2009

; Agır et al.

2016a

; Ozturk and Sesli

2015

). The aim of

this study is to determine the effects of coastal erosion and

accretion on plant communities and to find which coastal

dune zone or plant species are resistant or susceptible to

erosion.

2 Materials and methods

The study area includes coastal line between Alac¸am and

Terme provinces (41°29

0

₂₇

00

_{N and 36°33}

0

₁₂

00

_{E) in western}

and eastern part of Central Black Sea Region of Turkey.

Alac¸am and Terme are the boundary point in central Black

Sea region of Turkey and coastal dunes in central Black

Sea region (Fig.

1 ). The Kizilirmak delta is located in the

western part, and the Yesilirmak delta is located in the

eastern part of the study area. However, at present coastal

erosion is evident as an environmental threat leading to

land loss. As a matter of fact, coastal retreat is seen in the

study area (Uzun

2006

; Agır et al.

2014

). The annual

vegetation of drift line (A zone) is represented by Salsolo

ruthenicae–Cakiletum maritimae and Euphorbio paralias–

Eryngietum maritimi (EU Habitat 1210). The most

char-acteristic species were Salsola ruthenica Iljin, Cakile

maritima Scop., Tournefortia sibirica L. var. sibirica and

Xanthium strumarium L. subsp. cavanillesii (Schouw) D.

Lo¨ve et P. Dansereau, while the most characteristic species

of Euphorbio paralias–Eryngietum maritimi were

Eryn-gium maritimum L., Euphorbia paralias L., Digitaria

ischaemum (Schreb ex Schweigger) Mu¨hlenb., and

Para-pholis incurva (L.) C. E. Hubbard. Embryonic shifting

dunes (B zone) are represented by Achilleo maritimo–

Elymetum farcti (EU Habitat 2110). The most

character-istic species were Achillea maritima subsp. maritima,

Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis subsp.

bessarabicus (Savul. et Rayss) Glaucium flavum, and

Crepis foetida L. subsp. rhoaedifolia (Bieb.) Celak. A

sedge species (Juncus littoralis C. A. Meyer) was also

found as expected due to habitat inundation. Mobile dunes

along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (white

dunes) (C zone) are represented by Medicagini marinae–

Ammophiletum arundinacea (EU Habitat 2120). The most

characteristic species were Ammophila arenaria (L) Link

subsp. arundinacea H. Lindb. fil., Medicago marina L.,

Gundelia tournefortii L., Scolymus hispanicus L.,

Cy-nanchum acutum L. subsp. acutum, Pancratium maritimum

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L., and Hypochoeris radicata L. Transitional (semi-fixed)

dunes (D zone) are represented by Sophoro

alopecuri-oides–Elymetum elongati and Euphorbio terracinae–

Laguretum ovati. (EU Habitat 2210 and EU Habitat 2230).

Sophoro

alopecurioides–Elymetum

elongati

include

Sophora alopecurioides L. var. alopecurioides, Elymus

elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp. elongatus, Medicago

littoralis Rohde ex Lois. var. littoralis, Anagallis arvensis

L. var. arvensis, and Plantago scabra Moench. The number

of species in Euphorbio terracinae–Laguretum ovati was

higher than those other associations and msot widespread

species were Lagurus ovatus L., Euphorbia terracina L.,

Galium spurium L. subsp. spurium, Kickxia commutata

(Bernh. ex Reich.) Fritsch subp. commutata, Anchusa

undulata L. subsp. hybrida (Ten.) Coutinho, Satureja

hortensis L., Bromus racemosus L., Echium plantagineum

L., and Trifolium resupinatum L. Coastal dunes with

herbaceous vegetation (gray dunes) (E zone) are

repre-sented by Sileno otitis–Vulpietum fasciculatae (EU 2130).

Silene otites (L.) Wibel, Vulpia fasciculata (Forsskal)

Fritsch, and Cenchrus incertus M. A. Curtis, T (L.) Griseb.

were the most widespread species and Cyperus capitatus

Vandelli was found on most places due to inundation.

Dunes with Eleagnus (F zone) are characterized by

Ver-basco thapsus–Eleagnetum rhamnoidi (EU Habitat 2160).

This is the most distant dunes from the seashore and

characterizes the climax stage of psammosere and includes

a few shrub species like Eleagnus rhamnoides (L.) A.

Nelson subsp. rhamnoides L. and Crataegus monogyna

Jacq. subsp. monogyna (Agır et al.

2014

).

There were evident climatic differences between the

western and eastern part of the study area. Mediterranean

climate is seen in the western part of the study area, while

oceanic climate is seen in the eastern part. As a result of

this a climatic gradient is formed from western to the

eastern part of the study area. The climatic properties of the

study area were presented in Agır et al. (

2016b

).

2.1 Sampling

The study area was divided into six groups regarding

coastal dynamics according to dune erosion and

accre-tion (Kuleli et al.

2011

; Ozturk et al.

2015

). During the

formation of six groups the severity of erosion was taken

into account. These groups include low ((-)1.15–

(-)3.13 m/y), moderate ((-)8.31–(-)11.88 m/y), severe

((-)17.2 m/y) erosion and ((?)2.56 m/y) accretion

classes. Coastal erosion in Kizilirmak delta is higher

than Yesilirmak delta. In addition this, erosion is

stron-ger in the western part of Kızılırmak as compared to the

eastern part. However, coastal erosion is gradually

decreased form western and eastern part of Yesilirmak.

Accretion

only

occurred

in

Cobanyatagı

locality

(Table

1 ).

Generally, coastal dunes include six zones. But some

of these zones may be lost due to natural and

anthro-pogenic activities. Especially fixed dune zone is absent

in studied coastal dunes because this zone is subjected

to human activities (settlement, road construction, etc.).

In this study, each coastal dune is considered as a

quadrat. So, five and six quadrants were selected in each

coastal dynamics considering dune zones regarding all

characteristic dune zones are present or some zones are

lost. So Sindel, Hu¨rriyet and Costal have five dune

zones because fixed dune zone are lost. However,

Doyran, Sahilkent, Cernek and Cobanyatagı include all

characteristic dune zones. Thus, total of 39 quadrants

were selected. Each quadrant was then subdivided into

five parcels as parallel to the sea, and each of them

100 m long. Three parcels were randomly selected in

each quadrant. Three 2 m x 2 m plots located randomly

within each parcel. Relative plant coverage was

esti-mated visually in each plot.Total of 351 plots sampled

within 117 parcels, nested within 39 quadrants (Cakan

et al.

2011

; Ciccarelli et al.

2012

).

Table 1 Coastal dynamic classes in the study area

Coastal dynamics (CD) Localities Erosion (-) or accretion (?) (m/y) The number of quadrants The number of plots

CD 1 Doyran and Sahilkent (-)17.2 12 108

CD 2 Sindel and Hu¨rriyet (-)8.31 to (-)11.88 10 90

CD 3 Cernek and costal (-)1.15 to (-)3.13 11 99

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2.2 Statistical analysis

SIMPER (Similarity Percentage) Analysis was used to

analyze the percentage contribution of each variable to the

Bray-Curtis dissimilarity among levels of the factor

(Fra-schetti et al.

2011

). The contribution of each plant species

to the characterization of coastal dynamics (CD) classes

was quantified using similarity percentages analysis

(Cic-carelli et al.

2012

). One-way analysis of similarity

(ANOSIM) on the basis of Bray-Curtis similarity matrices

allowed the identification of the species that contributed

most to the average between-group dissimilarity for pairs

Fig. 2 Average similarity values in drift line and percent of species

contributing in each coastal dynamic habitat. Radar chart at center shows that change of the community similarity between four coastal dynamic habitats. Radar charts at periphery show that contributing species and their ratios to community similarities for each coastal dynamic habitat. Species: Ach mar: Achilleamaritima (L.) Ehrend.et Y., Cak mar: CakilemaritimaScop., Cal sol: Calystegiasoldanella (L.) R.R., Cyp cap: CyperuscapitatusVandelli, Dicisc:

Digitariaischaemum (Schreber exSchweigger) Mu¨hlenb., Ely far: Elymusfarctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis subsp. bessarabi-cus(Savul. etRayss) Melderis var. bessarabicus, Ery mar: Eryngium-maritimum L., Eup par: Euphorbia paralias L., Eup pep: Euphorbiapeplis L., Pan mar: Pancratiummaritimum L., Pol mar: Polygonummaritimum L., Sal rut: SalsolaruthenicaIljin, Xan str: Xanthium strumariumL. subsp. cavanillesii (Schouw) d. Lo¨ve et P. Dansereau

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of plots. Multivariate data analyses were performed with

PRIMER 6.0 version (Clarke and Warwick

2001

; Anderson

et al.

2008

; Ciccarelli et al.

2012

).

The data also were subjected to PCAco analysis to

show the interactions between coastal dune species and

coastal dynamics. PCAco analysis were used to

investi-gate the effect of coastline dynamic on plant

communi-ties on the basis of plot species composition and average

plant community dissimilarity occurring among CD

groups. The dissimilarity matrices calculated for PCOs

were calculated using the Bray-Curtis measure on the

square-root transformation of species cover abundance.

For non-Euclidean dissimilarities, principal coordinate

analysis can be used to place the plots into a Euclidean

space

that

preserves

the

original

dissimilarities

Table 2 Results of similarity of percentages analysis (SIMPER) showing the contribution of each plant species in drift line

Species Average abundance Average similarity Contribution % Cumulative

contribution % Coastal dynamic 1 Eryngium maritimum 6.00 18.89 37.24 37.24 Achillea maritima 4.62 13.87 27.35 64.59 Calystegia soldanella 3.47 7.81 15.39 79.99 Euphorbia paralias 3.28 6.46 12.73 92.73 Coastal dynamic 2 Eryngium maritimum 5.82 16.11 33.50 33.50 Pancratium maritimum 3.11 6.39 13.30 46.81 Salsola ruthenica 3.70 6.09 12.67 59.49 Euphorbia peplis 2.29 5.13 10.68 70.17 Polygonum maritimum 2.58 5.00 10.39 80.57 Euphorbia paralias 2.41 3.79 7.88 88.46 Achillea maritima 1.82 2.04 4.25 92.71 Coastal dynamic 3 Eryngium maritimum 5.63 11.86 26.94 26.94 Pancratium maritimum 5.26 10.18 23.13 50.07 Euphorbia paralias 3.21 4.86 11.05 61.12 Salsola ruthenica 3.15 4.49 10.19 71.32 Polygonum maritimum. 1.78 2.53 5.76 77.08

Elymus farctus subsp. bessarabicus var. bessarabicus 1.68 1.86 4.23 81.32

Cakile maritima 1.68 1.68 3.83 85.15

Xanthium strumarium subsp. cavanillesii 1.21 1.32 3.00 88.16

Digitaria ischaemum 1.21 1.24 2.82 90.99

Coastal dynamic 4

Pancratium maritimum 5.50 11.66 18.68 38.20 Eryngium maritimum. 5.00 10.53 16.87 55.08 Salsola ruthenica 5.40 9.36 15.00 70.08 Digitaria ischaemum 3.90 6.29 10.08 80.17 Cyperus capitatus 2.20 3.90 6.26 86.43 Euphorbia peplis 2.40 3.65 5.84 92.28

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calculated among them (Ricotta and Bacaro

2010

).

Radar chart graphs were drawn using Microsoft Excel

2010.

3 Results

In A (Drift line) zone the communities were 50% similar in

CD1 group where the highest erosion occurred, while the

communities were 44% similar in CD3 where the lowest

erosion occurred. The communities were 62% similar in

CD4 where accretion occurred. The highest contributed

species to similarity were Eryngium maritimum, and

Achillea maritima in CD1. Eryngium maritimum had the

highest contribution to similarity in CD2. The highest

contributed species to similarity in CD3 were Eryngium

maritimum and Pancratium maritimum. The highest

con-tributed species to similarity in CD4 were Xanthium

stru-marium

subsp.cavanillesii,

Pancratium

maritimum,

Eryngium maritimum and Salsola ruthenica (Fig.

2 ;

Table

2 ).

According to PCAco analysis Euphorbia paralias,

Ca-lystegia soldanella, Achillea maritima and Eryngium

maritimum were found to be associated with CD1 and CD

2, while Salsola ruthenica and Pancratium maritimum are

associated with CD3 and CD4. Xanthium strumarium

subsp. cavanillesii was the most significant species in CD4

where accretion occurred (Fig.

3 ).

In B (Embryonic shifting/primary dune) zone the

simi-larity among communities was 36.26% in CD1 where the

strongest erosion occurred. In CD2 and CD3, the

similar-ities among communsimilar-ities were 56 and 43.39%,

respec-tively. The similarities among communities were 64.27%

in CD4. The highest contributed species to similarity were

Achillea maritima, Eryngium maritimum, Medicago

mar-ina and Elymus farctus subsp. bessarabicus var.

bessara-bicus in CD1, while Eryngium maritimum, Euphorbia

paralias and Xanthium strumarium subsp. cavanillesii were

the highest contributed species to similarity in CD2. In

CD3 the highest contributed species to similarity were

Pancratium

maritimum,

Eryngium

maritimum

and

Euphorbia

paralias.

Xanthium

strumarium

subsp.

Fig. 3 The distribution of coastal dune species among the sample

plots by PCAco analysis. Eigenvalues of species for axis 1 and 2: Ach mar, axis 1:-0.43 and axis 2:-0.03, Cal sol: axis 1:-0.36 and axis 2:-0.02, Ery mar:axis 1:-0.07 and axis 2:-0.52, Eup par: axis

1:-0.24 and axis 2:-0.31, Pan mar: axis 1:-0.51 and axis 2:-0.44, Sal rut: axis 1:-0.43 and axis 2:-0.60, Xan str: axis 1:-0.29 and axis 2:-0.02 (Species abbreviations are given Fig.2)

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Fig. 4 Average similarity values among embryonic shifting/primary dune zone and percent of species contributing in each coastal dynamic habitat. Radar chart at center shows that change of the community similarity between four coastal dynamic habitats. Radar charts at periphery show that contributing species and their ratios to commu-nity similarities for each coastal dynamic habitat. Species: Ach mar: Achillea maritima (L.) Ehrend.et Y., Cak mar: Cakile maritime Scop., Cio ere:Cionura erecta (L.) Griseb., Cre foe: Crepis foetida L. subsp. rhoeadifolia (Bieb.) Celak., Cyn dac: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon, Dau bro: Daucus broteri Ten., Dic isc: Digitaria ischaemum (Schreber ex Schweigger) Mu¨hlenb., Ely elo: Elymus

elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp. elongatus, Ely far: Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis subsp. bessarabicus (Savul. etRayss) Melderis var. bessarabicus, Ery mar: Eryngium maritimum L., Eup par: Euphorbia paralias L., Eup pep: Euphorbia peplis L., Hyp rad: Hypochoeris radicata L., Jun lit: Juncus littoralis C. A. Meyer, Med mar: Medicago marina L., Pan mar: Pancratium maritimum L., Par inc: Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E. Hubbard, Pol mar: Polygonum maritimum L., Sal rut: Salsola ruthenica Iljin, Sil dic: Silene dichotoma Ehrh. var. dichotoma, Sil oti: Silene otites (L.) Wibel, Sta ann: Stachys annua L. (L.)subsp. annua var. annua, Xan str: Xanthium strumarium L. subsp. cavanillesii

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Table 3 Results of similarity percentages analysis (SIMPER), showing the contribution of each plant species in embryonic shifting/primary dune zone Species Average abundance Average similarity

Contribution % Cumulative contribution %

Coastal dynamic 1

Achillea maritima 4.08 6.33 17.45 17.45

Eryngium maritimum 4.08 4.51 12.44 29.89

Medicago marina 3.00 3.38 9.33 39.22

Elymus elongatus subsp. elongatus 1.50 2.75 7.58 55.26

Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon 2.92 2.38 6.58 61.84

Hypochoeris radicata 2.00 2.24 6.17 68.01

Silene dichotoma var. dichotoma 2.08 1.99 5.50 73.50

Euphorbia paralias 2.08 1.66 4.57 78.07 Juncus littoralis 2.33 1.50 4.13 82.20 Parapholis incurva 1.42 1.35 3.73 85.93 Polygonum maritimum 1.25 0.79 2.18 88.11 Digitaria ischaemum 0.92 0.78 2.15 90.25 Coastal dynamic 2 Eryngium maritimum 7.31 20.19 36.05 36.05 Euphorbia paralias 4.23 8.68 15.50 51.55

Polygonum maritimum 2.00 3.78 6.74 70.47

Euphorbia peplis 1.62 3.32 5.92 76.40

Salsola ruthenica 1.23 2.26 4.03 85.91

Juncus littoralis 2.46 2.23 3.98 89.89

Coastal dynamic 3

Pancratium maritimum 6.88 13.50 31.10 31.10

Euphorbia paralias. 3.63 4.33 9.97 61.07

Crepis foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia 2.75 2.46 5.68 81.42

Daucus broteri 1.88 2.05 4.72 86.14

Cakile maritima 1.13 0.82 1.88 88.02

Cionura erecta 1.50 0.73 1.69 89.71

Coastal dynamic 4

Stachys annua subsp. annua var. annua 2.67 5.09 7.92 86.63

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cavanillesii, Pancratium maritimum, Crepis foetida subsp.

rhoeadifolia, Eryngium maritimum, and Digitaria

ischae-mum were the highest contributed species to similarity in

accretion group (Fig.

4 ; Table

3 ).

PCAco analysis showed that Achillea maritima,

Med-icago marina and Hypochoeris radicata, Silene otitis,

Juncus littoralis were associated with strong erosion, while

Crepis foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia and Pancratium

mar-itimum were associated with low erosion (Fig.

5 ).

In C (Mobile dune) zone, the similarity among

com-munities were 36.87% in CD1 where the strongest erosion

occurred. In CD2 and CD3, the similarities among

com-munities were 52.69 and 47.76%, respectively. The

simi-larities among communities were 58.34% in CD4. The

highest contributed species to similarity were Ammophila

arenaria subsp. arundinacea, Achillea maritima, Eryngium

maritimum,

Elymus

farctus

subsp.bessarabicus

var.

bessarabicus and Medicago marina in CD1, while

Eryn-gium maritimum, Euphorbia paralias and Xanthium

stru-marium subsp. cavanillesii were the highest contributed

species to similarity in CD2. In CD3 the highest

con-tributed species to similarity were Pancratium maritimum,

Euphorbia paralias, Eryngium maritimum and. Pancratium

maritimum, Xanthium strumarium subsp. cavanillesii,

Eryngium maritimum, Digitaria ischaemum and Crepis

foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia were the highest contributed

species to similarity in accretion group (Fig.

6 ; Table

4 ).

PCAco analysis showed that Achillea maritima,

Am-mophila arenaria subsp. arundinacea, Medicago marina

and Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon were associated with

strong

erosion,

while

Xanthium

strumarium

subsp.

cavanillesii and Pancratium maritimum were associated

with low erosion (Fig.

7 ).

In D (Transitional (semi-fixed) dune) zone, the

com-munities in CD1 (36.50%) had the lowest similarity, while

the highest similarity was found in CD4 (49%).

Commu-nity similarity was found to be 45 and 49% in CD2 and

CD3, respectively. The highest contributed species to

similarity were Medicago marina, Elymus elongatus subsp.

elongatus, and Hypochoeris radicata in CD1. Eryngium

maritimum and Digitaria ischaemum were the highest

conributed species to similarity in CD2, while Pancratium

maritimum and Eryngium maritimum were the highest

contributed species to similarity in CD3. Pancratium

maritimum, Daucus broteri, Eryngium maritimum, Silene

dichotoma var. dichotoma and Crepis foetida subsp.

plots by PCAco analysis. Eigenvalues of species for axis 1 and 2: Ach mar: axis 1:-0.02 and axis 2:-0.05, Cre foe: axis 1:0.40 and axis 2:-0.08, Cyn dac: axis 1:-0.15 and axis 2:0.14, Dic isc: axis 1:0.16 and axis 2:0.09, Ery mar: axis 1:-0.05 and axis 2:0.44, Eup par: axis 1:-0.26 and axis 2:0.29, Hyp rad: axis 1:-0.12 and axis

2:-0.27, Jun lit: axis 1:-0.30 and axis 2:0.21, Med mar: axis 1:-0.13 and axis 2:-0.40, Pan mar: axis 1:0.55 and axis 2:-0.06, Pol mar: axis 1:-0.07 and axis 2:0.19, Sil oti: axis 1:-0.10 and axis 2:-0.28, Xan str: axis 1:0.38 and axis 2:0.34 (Species abbreviations are given Fig.4)

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rhoeadifolia were the highest contributed species to

simi-larity in CD4 (Fig.

8 ; Table

5 ).

PCAco showed that Silene dichotoma var. dichotoma,

Jurinea kilaea and Medicago marina were associated with

strong erosion, while Pancratium maritimum and Daucus

broteri were associated with low erosion. Xanthium

stru-marium subsp. cavanillesii, and Digitaria ischaemum were

associated with comparatively high erosion (Fig.

9 ).

In CD 1 and CD4, the similarity among communities

were found to be [50% in E (Coastal dunes with

Fig. 6 Average similarity values among embryonic shifting/primary

dune zone and percent of species contributing in each coastal dynamic habitat. Radar chart at center shows that change of the community similarity between four coastal dynamic habitats. Radar charts at periphery show that contributing species and their ratios to commu-nity similarities for each coastal dynamic habitat. Species: Ach mar: Achillea maritima (L.) Ehrend.et Y., Amm are: Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link subsp. arundinacea H. Lindb. Fil., Cre foe: Crepis foetida L. subsp. rhoeadifolia (Bieb.) Celak., Cyn acu: Cynanchum acutum L. subsp. acutum L., Cyn dac: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon, Cyp cap: Cyperus capitatus Vandelli, Dau bro: Daucus

broteri Ten., Dic isc: Digitaria ischaemum (Schreber ex Schweigger) Mu¨hlenb., Ely elo: Elymus elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp. elongatus, Ely far: Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis subsp. bessarabicus (Savul. et Rayss) Melderis var. bessarabicus, Ery mar: Eryngium maritimum L., Eup par: Euphorbia paralias L., Eup pep: Euphorbia peplis L., Jun lit: Juncus littoralis C. A. Meyer, Med mar: Medicago marina L., Pan mar: Pancratium maritimum L., Pol mar: Polygonum maritimum L., Sal rut: Salsola ruthenica Iljin, Sta ann: Stachys annua L. (L.) subsp. annua var. annua, Xan str: Xanthium strumarium L. subsp. cavanillesii

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Table 4 Results of similarity percentages analysis (SIMPER) showing the contribution of each plant species in mobile dune zone

Species Average abundance Average similarity Contribution % Cumulative

contribution % Coastal dynamic 1

Ammophila arenaria subsp. arundinacea 4.40 6.49 17.61 17.61

Medicago marina 2.47 2.47 6.69 53.09

Hypochoeris radicata 1.80 1.91 5.17 75.86

Cynanchum acutum subsp. acutum 1.60 1.89 5.13 81.00

Euphorbia paralias 1.60 1.35 3.67 84.66

Coastal dynamic 2

Polygonum maritimum 1.57 3.93 7.46 79.23 Digitaria ischaemum 2.50 2.86 5.42 84.65 Pancratium maritimum 2.43 2.72 5.16 89.81 Euphorbia peplis 1.21 2.23 4.23 94.05 Coastal dynamic 3 Pancratium maritimum 7.50 21.42 44.85 44.85 Euphorbia paralias. 4.06 7.11 14.88 59.73 Eryngium maritimum 3.44 6.92 14.50 74.22

Medicago marina 1.50 1.74 3.63 82.23

Daucus broteri 1.00 1.12 2.34 87.62

Coastal dynamic 4

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herbaceous vegetation; gray dune) zone. In CD3 and CD2,

the similarity among communities were found to be 37 and

42%, respectively. The most significant species in CD1

were Euphorbia palustris, Daucus broteri, Elaeagnus

rhamnoides, and Jurinea kilaea. Eryngium maritimum,

Elymus elongatus subsp. elongatus, Xanthium strumarium

subsp. cavanillesii, Crepis foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia,

Digitaria ischaemum were found to be most significant

species in CD2 (Fig.

10 ; Table

6 ). In all erosion classes

were associated with similar species according to PCAco

analysis in E zone (Fig.

11 ).

The similarity among communities were found to be

high in CD4 (54%) and Pancratium maritimum,

Eryn-gium maritimum, Daucus broteri, Elymus elongatus

subsp. elongatus and Cyperus capitatus were the most

contributed species to similarity in F (fixed dune) zone.

In CD1, percentage of similarity was found to be 47%,

and Daucus broteri, Euphorbia palustris, Elymus

elon-gatus subsp. elonelon-gatus, Cota tinctoria var. tinctoria and

Hordeum vulgare were the most contributed species to

similarity. Euphorbia platyphyllos, Elymus elongatus

subsp.elongatus, and Anagallis arvensis var. arvensis

were the most contributed species to similarity in CD2

and percentage of similarity was found to be 42%

(Fig.

12 ; Table

7 ).

Daucus broteri, Euphorbia palustris, Juncus pygmaeus

and Euphorbia platyphyllos were associated with strong

erosion (CD1 and 2), while Eryngium maritimum was

associated with accretion (CD4) (Fig.

13 ).

Coastal dynamics in B and C zones were different from

A, D, E and F zones. It has been found that the similarity

among communities where severe erosion occurred were

lower than the similarity among communities where

accretion occurred. In A, D and E zones, the similarity

among communities were decreased with severity of

ero-sion. However, the opposite trend was found in B and C

zones. In the first coastal dynamic (CD1) where the most

severe erosion occurred, it has been found that the lowest

similarity percentage was found in the first three zones

along sea–inland gradient.

4 Discussion

In the study area, 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

mari-nae–Ammophiletum arundinacea (EU Habitat 2120) were

more prone to coastal dynamics. Coastal erosion either

plots by PCAco analysis. Eigenvalues of species for axis 1 and 2:Ach mar: axis 1:-0.27 and axis 2:-0.22, Amm are: axis 1:-0.40 and axis 2:-0.38, Cyn dac: axis 1:-0.17 and axis 2:0.18, Ery mar: axis

1:0.15 and axis 2:0.42, Eup par: axis 1:-0.02 and axis 2:0.40, Jun lit: axis 1:-0.15 and axis 2:0.27, Med mar: axis 1:-0.13 and axis 2:-0.24, Pan mar: axis 1:0.62 and axis 2:-0.26, Xan str: axis 1:0.43 and axis 2:-0.11 (Species abbreviations are given Fig.4)

(13)

entirely eliminates or drastically reduces the first plant

communities especially in drift line and embryonic dunes

and erosion leads to structural modifications which take

the form of patches of denudation and erosional gullies on

the fixed dunes (Acosta et al.

2006

). Fenu et al. (

2013

)

profile from the sea to the inland. Several authors reported

that vegetation the first three zones may be more affected

by environmental effects, i.e., climate changes than

veg-etation in the backdunes (Del Vecchio et al.

2015

).

Foredunes are created on the more exposed to seaside

Fig. 8 Average similarity values among main dune zone and percent

of species contributing in each coastal dynamic habitat. Radar chart at center shows that change of the community similarity between four coastal dynamic habitats. Radar charts at periphery show that contributing species and their ratios to community similarities for each coastal dynamic habitat. Species: Cre foe: Crepis foetida L. subsp. rhoeadifolia (Bieb.) Celak., Cyn acu: Cynanchum acutum L. subsp. acutum L., Cyn dac: Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon, Cyp cap: Cyperus capitatus Vandelli, Dau bro: Daucus broteri Ten., Dic isc: Digitaria ischaemum (Schreber ex Schweigger) Mu¨hlenb., Ely elo: Elymus elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp.

elongatus, Ely far: Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis subsp. bessarabicus (Savul. et Rayss) Melderis var. bessarabicus, Ery mar: Eryngium maritimum L., Eup par: Euphorbia paralias L., Hyp rad: Hypochoeris radicata L., Jun lit: Juncus littoralis C. A. Meyer, Jur kil: Jurinea kilaeaAzn., Med mar: Medicago marina L., Pan mar: Pancratium maritimum L., Pol mar: Polygonum maritimum L., Sal rut: Salsola ruthenica Iljin, Sil dic: Silene dichotoma Ehrh. var. dichotoma, Sop alo: Sophora alopecuroides L. var. alopecuroides, Sta ann: Stachys annua L. (L.) subsp. annua var. annua, Xan str: Xanthium strumarium L. subsp. cavanillesii (Schouw) d. Lo¨ve et P. Dansereau

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Table 5 Results of similarity percentages analysis (SIMPER) showing the contribution of each plant species in transitional (semi-fixed) dune zone Species Average abundance Average similarity Contribution % Cumulative contribution % Coastal dynamic 1 Medicago marina 3.60 5.32 14.55 14.55

Elymus elongates subsp. elongatus 2.27 3.99 10.90 25.45

Hypochoeris radicata 2.60 3.30 9.02 34.47 Silene dichotoma 2.53 2.54 6.95 41.42 Jurinea kilaea 3.20 2.46 6.73 48.15 Daucus broteri 2.60 2.44 6.69 54.84 Euphorbia paralias 2.53 2.34 6.41 61.24 Eryngium maritimum 3.20 2.19 6.00 67.24 Cyperus capitatus 2.20 2.12 5.80 73.04

Cynanchum acutum subsp. acutum 1.93 1.86 5.09 83.43

Coastal dynamic 2

Sophora alopecuroides var. alopecuroides 1.96 1.60 3.48 89.34

Elymus farctu ssubsp. Bessarabicus var. bessarabicus 0.96 0.99 2.16 91.50

Coastal dynamic 3

Medicago marina 1.43 2.52 5.07 71.43

Cyperus capitatus 1.57 2.46 4.94 76.38

Digitaria ischaemum 1.43 2.06 4.13 84.81 Salsola ruthenica 1.24 1.53 3.07 87.89 Hypochoeris radicata 0.95 0.92 1.85 89.74 Euphorbia paralias 1.00 0.78 1.58 91.31 Coastal dynamic 4 Pancratium maritimum 6.92 15.76 23.69 23.69 Daucus broteri 6.25 14.69 22.08 45.77 Eryngium maritimum 3.92 7.41 11.14 56.91

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(D, E and F zones) are less disturbed areas, while

fore-dunes tend to be more subject to both dune building and

erosion than the other dune habitats (Miller et al.

2010

;

Miller

2015

).

Embryonic shifting dunes are subjected to some

rearrangement by wind erosion (Ciccarelli et al.

2012

).

Garcı´a-Mora et al. (

1999

) and Ciccarelli et al. (

2012

)

stated that Ammophila arenaria is linked to

unsta-ble coastal systems dominated by erosion/progradation

alternation. However, A. arenaria is also been classified

a typical species of mobile dunes growing in sites with

heavy sand deposition. This is probably due to the loss

of annual vegetation of drift line which is represented by

Salsolo ruthenicae–Cakiletum maritimae and Euphorbio

paralias–Eryngietum maritimi (EU Habitat 1210) as a

result of strong coastal erosion near the sea (Lubke and

Hertling

2001

; Ciccarelli et al.

2012

).

Elymus elongatus subsp. elongatus was the most

significant species in CD2 and it has also been found

that Elymus elongatus subsp. elongatus was the most

contributed species to similarity in CD2. Attorre et al.

(

2013

) found that erosion has a negative relationship

with the Elymus community. Disturbed habitats are

fre-quently substituted by the Elymus communities and this

shows that embryonic dunes characterized by Elymus

species are sensible to harsh conditions. Finally, it has

been found that the severity of erosion caused to

increase the differences among coastal dune

communi-ties because severe erosion occurred in CD1 and CD2

and the most significant differences among communities

were found in CD1 and CD2.

It has been found that A.arenaria, A. maritima, E.

palustris, E. farctus and M. marina were associated with

strong erosion in most zones in the study area. A.

are-naria was associated with strong erosion in mobile dune

zone. Ciccarelli et al. (

2012

) found that A. arenaria,

E. farctus and A. maritima showed a high correlation

with the coastal dynamics. E. farctus is generally

abundant in upper beach and embryonic dunes and these

dune zones are most affected by the erosional processes.

Garcı´a-Mora et al. (

1999

), also emphasized that A.

arenaria and E. farctus are associated with

unsta-ble coastal systems dominated by erosion/progradation

alternation. Fenu et al. (

2013

) found that A. arenaria

plots by PCAco analysis. Eigenvalues of species for axis 1 and 2:Dau bro: axis 1:-0.42 and axis 2:0.10, Dic isc: axis 1:0.32 and axis 2:-0.08, Ery mar: axis 1:0.53 and axis 2:0.29, Jur kil: axis 1:-0.12

and axis 2:-0.24, Med mar: axis 1:-0.03 and axis 2:-0.34., Pan mar: axis 1:-0.34 and axis 2:0.66, Sil dic: axis 1:-0.28 and axis 2:-0.17, Xan str: axis 1:0.25 and axis 2:0.30(Species abbreviations are given Fig.6)

(16)

increased its abundance where the erosion of the

coast-line was extremely high. Floristic changes in foredunes

where strong erosion occurred were dominated by

rhi-zomatous grasses such as Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link

and Elymus farctus (Viv.) Runemark ex Melderis. They

are the most important habitats on sandy coasts due to

their role in preventing coastal erosion (Del Vecchio

et al.

2015

). Prisco et al. (

2016b

) also found that

A.arenaria was resistant to strong erosion and without

coastal erosion and low anthropic disturbance, mobile

dunes communities can grow and develop. They also

stated that different trends in erosion/accretion processes

seem to be responsible for explaining the patterns both at

community and species level. A. arenaria is a harsh

Fig. 10 Average similarity values among transitional dune zone and

percent of species contributing in each coastal dynamic habitat. Radar chart at center shows that change of the community similarity between four coastal dynamic habitats. Radar charts at periphery show that contributing species and their ratios to community similarities for each coastal dynamic habitat. Species: Ana arv: Anagallis arvensis L. var. arvensis, Cot tin: Cota tinctoria var. tinctoria L., Cre foe: Crepisfoetida L. subsp. rhoeadifolia (Bieb.) Celak., Cyp cap: Cyperus capitatus Vandelli, Dau bro: Daucus broteri Ten., Dic isc: Digitaria ischaemum (Schreber ex Schweigger) Mu¨hlenb., Ela rha: Eleagnus rhamnoides (L.) A., Ely elo: Elymus

elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp. elongatus, Ery mar: Eryngium maritimum L., Eup pal: Euphorbia palustris L., Eup par: Euphorbia paralias L., Eup pla: Euphorbia platyphyllos L., Hor vul: Hordeum vulgare L., Hyp rad: Hypochoeris radicata L., Jur kil: Jurinea kilaeaAzn., Med mar: Medicago marina L., Pan mar: Pancratium maritimum L., Par inc: Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E. Hubbard, Pol mar: Polygonum maritimum L., Sildic: Silene dichotomaEhrh. var. dichotoma, Sop alo: Sophora alopecuroides L. var. alopecuroides, Tou sib: Tournefortia sibirica L. var. sibirica, Ver sin: Verbascum sinuatum L. var. sinuatum, Xan str: Xanthium strumarium L. subsp. cavanillesii (Schouw) d. Love et P. Dansereau

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Table 6 Results of similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER), showing the contribution of each plant species in coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (gray dune) zone

Species Average abundance Average similarity Contribution % Cumulative contribution %

Coastal dynamic 1 Euphorbia palustris 6.80 10.62 19.57 19.57 Daucus broteri 6.50 10.53 19.42 38.99 Eleagnus rhamnoides 5.50 7.47 13.77 52.76 Jurinea kilaea 5.35 6.68 12.31 65.07 Pancratium maritimum 3.85 3.50 6.45 71.52

Elymus elongates subsp. elongates 2.25 3.17 5.84 77.36

Hordeum vulgare 1.45 1.45 2.67 89.93

Medicago marina 1.40 0.86 1.59 91.51

Coastal dynamic 2

Digitaria ischaemum 2.68 3.65 8.69 73.93 Eleagnus rhamnoides 1.96 1.60 3.80 77.73 Hypochoeris radicata 2.24 1.52 3.63 81.36 Euphorbia paralias 1.72 1.37 3.26 84.62 Polygonum maritimum 0.96 1.15 2.74 87.36 Parapholis incurva 1.52 0.99 2.35 89.70

Tournefortia sibirica var. sibirica 1.44 0.81 1.92 91.63

Coastal dynamic 3

Euphorbia platyphyllos 4.63 6.25 16.82 16.82

Daucus broteri 2.68 3.93 10.57 55.54

Elymus elongates subsp. elongatus, 2.00 3.14 8.45 63.99

Eleagnus rhamnoides 2.37 1.68 4.52 76.90

Verbascum sinuatum var. sinuatum 1.63 1.07 2.89 84.02

Parapholis incurva 1.53 1.03 2.76 86.78

Anagallis arvensis var. arvensis, 0.95 0.94 2.54 91.93

Coastal dynamic 4 Pancratium maritimum 7.45 14.26 24.65 24.65 Daucus broteri 6.18 10.64 18.39 43.05 Eleagnus rhamnoides 5.55 8.31 14.36 57.41 Eryngium maritimum 3.73 5.30 9.16 66.56 Cyperus capitatus 3.27 3.80 6.57 73.13

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perennial that spreads locally and mainly reproduces by

vegetative rhizome fragments (Martins et al.

2016

).

Achillea maritima (syn O. maritimus) was found to be

associated with strong erosion. The sporadic A. maritima

dominated communities are found along the littoral

affected by erosion represent the remnants of the

Ely-metum vegetation type, as a result of the erosional

pro-cesses (Ciccarelli et al.

2012

).

X. strumarium, P. maritimum, E. maritimum and E.

paralias were associated with accretion. Honrado et al.

(

2010

) also found that P. maritimum is an indicator species

of accretion processes. Isermann and Rooney (

2014

) found

that coastal dunes were retreated as a result of strong

erosion and the seeds of E. maritimum were blown inland

along paths in gray dunes. New foredunes intercept a large

proportion of the wind-blown sand, preventing the further

growth of yellow or gray dunes. This situation occurs on

prograding coasts, and may result in the formation of many

dune ridges over the years. P. maritimum can be used a

bioindicator species in a displaced position in the interior

where dune formation is taking place (Scottish Natural

Heritage

2010

; Martins et al.

2016

; Moore et al.

2016

).

The numbers of species contributing to the total

simi-larity were changed according to coastal dune zones. For

example, the number of species contributing to the total

similarity in CD1 and CD2 where the highest erosion

occurred was the highest in embryonic and main dune

zones. This indicates that instability due to erosional

pro-cesses in these zones results in an unstable equilibrium

(Ciccarelli et al.

2012

). However, such a relationship was

not found in other zones. Coastal plants can be critical

indicators of the ability for a locality to recover from

vegetation removal or coastal alterations and they can

improve coastal condition over time, but native plant

re-vegetation alone cannot restore or rehabilitate severely

impacted coastlines (Sealey et al.

2014

). A well-developed

and diverse dune plant community acts as an ecosystem

engineer that provides unique ecosystem function,

includ-ing bufferinclud-ing intertidal habitats and protectinclud-ing sensitive

inland ecosystems from the negative effects of erosion.

Coastal sands filter seawater salt and leak underground

from the sea itself and in addition to this coastal vegetation

is helpful in preventing coastal erosion (Ozturk et al.

2015

;

Rodil et al.

2015

). A. arenaria, A. maritima, E. palustris, E.

plots by PCAco analysis. Eigenvalues of species for axis 1 and 2: Dau bro: axis 1:-0.38 and axis 2:0.20, Ela rha: axis 1:-0.31 and axis 2:-0.27, Ely elo: axis 1:0.13 and axis 2:0.16, Ery mar: axis 1:0.36 and axis 2:0.24, Eup pal: axis 1:-0.38 and axis 2:0.08, Eup pla: axis

1:0.04 and axis 2:-0.48, Hyp rad: axis 1:0.11 and axis 2:0.27, Jurkil: axis 1:-0.29 and axis 2:0.14, Pan mar: axis 1:-0.28 and axis 2:0.43, Sop alo: axis 1:0.05 and axis 2:-0.40, Xan str: axis 1:0.31 and axis 2:0.19(Species abbreviations are given Fig.8)

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farctus and M. marina are safely used for the restoration,

management and stabilization of coastal dunes which

exposed to erosion due to their resistance to erosion

(Hewett

1970

; Gallego-Ferna´ndez et al.

2011

).

5 Conclusions

The effect of coastal erosion and accretion on coastal

dune communities was investigated in north of Turkey.

The similarity among communities in frontal dune

zones (A, B and C zones) were higher than that of the

back dune zones (D, E and F zones). Xanthium

stru-marium subsp. cavanillesii, Eryngium maritimum and

Pancratium maritimum were found to be associated

with accretion in the study area. The determination of

the negative effects of erosion and accretion on coastal

dune communities can be very effective for revealing

ecological patterns and processes in coastal dunes along

sea–inland gradient. For an integrated coastal

manage-ment strategy, a sustainable developmanage-ment plan is

urgently needed to reduce the negative effects of

Fig. 12 Average similarity values among fixed dune zone and

percent of species contributing in each coastal dynamic habitat. Radar chart at center shows that change of the community similarity between four coastal dynamic habitats. Radar charts at periphery show that contributing species and their ratios to community similarities for each coastal dynamic habitat. Species: Ana arv: Anagallis arvensis L. var. arvensis, Art sco: Artemisia scoparia Waldst. et Kit., Bla per: Blackstonia perfoliata (L.) Hudson. subsp. serotine (W. Koch ex Reichb.) Vollmann, Cen pul: Centaurium pulchellum (Swartz) Druce, Cot tin: Cota tinctoria var. tinctoria L., Cre foe: Crepis foetida L. subsp. rhoeadifolia (Bieb.) Celak., Cyp cap: Cyperus capitatus Vandelli, Dau bro: Daucus broteri Ten., Ela

rha: Eleagnus rhamnoides (L.) A., Ely elo: Elymus elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp. elongatus, Ery mar: Eryngium maritimum L., Eup pal: Euphorbia palustris L., Eup pla: Euphorbia platyphyllos L., Hor vul: Hordeum vulgare L., Jun pym: Juncus pygmaeusL. C. M. Richard, Jur kil: Jurine akilaea Azn., Pan mar: Pancratium maritimum L., Pet sax: Petrorhagia saxifraga (L.) Link., Phl exa: Phleum exaratum Hochst. ex Griseb. subsp. exaratum, Sat hor: Satureja hortensis L., Sil dic: Silene dichotoma Ehrh. var. dichotoma, Sop alo: Sophora alopecuroides L. var. alopecuroides, Teu cha: Teucrium chamaedrys L. subsp. chamaedrys, Tri cam: Trifolium campestre Schreber, Ver sin: Verbascum sinuatum L. var. sinuatum

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Table 7 Results of similarity percentages analysis (SIMPER), showing th contribution of each plant species in fixed dune zone

Species Average abundance Average similarity Contribution % Cumulative contribution %

Coastal dynamic 1

Daucus broteri 6.21 11.70 24.52 24.52

Euphorbia platyphyllos 5.32 9.22 19.32 43.84

Cota tinctoria var. tinctoria 3.26 4.42 9.26 62.46

Hordeum vulgare 3.11 4.33 9.07 71.53

Phleum exaratum subsp. exaratum 1.89 2.35 4.92 81.39

Eleagnus rhamnoides 1.95 1.32 2.77 88.00 Jurinea kilaea 2.16 1.28 2.69 90.68 Daucus broteri 6.50 10.53 19.42 38.99 Eleagnus rhamnoides 5.50 7.47 13.77 52.76 Coastal dynamic 2 Euphorbia platyphyllos 7.18 12.04 28.28 28.28

Anagallis arvensis var. arvensis 3.00 4.04 9.48 48.83

Trifolium campestre 2.91 2.59 6.09 54.92

Juncus pygmaeus 3.36 2.40 5.64 60.56

Centaurium pulchellum 2.36 1.98 4.66 70.46

Petrorhagia saxifraga 1.45 1.66 3.89 74.35

Blackstonia perfoliata subsp. serotine 1.73 1.45 3.40 81.27

Daucus broteri 1.82 0.93 2.19 88.30 Satureja hortensis 1.45 0.90 2.13 90.43 Coastal dynamic 4 Pancratium maritimum 5.67 10.06 18.44 18.44 Eryngium maritimum 4.78 7.91 14.49 32.93 Daucus broteri 4.22 6.87 12.59 45.52

Elymus elongates subsp. elongatus, 2.56 4.83 8.84 54.36

Eleagnus rhamnoides 2.89 3.25 5.95 67.89

Artemisia scoparia 2.78 3.04 5.56 73.45

Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys 1.78 1.60 2.93 89.53

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erosion (Fraschetti 2011; Fenu et al.

2013

; Atorre et al.

2013).

Acknowledgements We are grateful to University of Ondokuz Mayıs Research Fund (PYO.FEN.1904.10.010) for supporting this study financially.

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