Foredune vegetation patterns and alongshore environmental gradients : Moçambique Beach, Santa Catarina Island, Brazil

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

MIOT DA SILVA, G.

Dept. of Physical Sciences, Nicholls State Univ., Thibodaux, Etats-Unis

Centro de Estudos de Geologia Costeira e Oceânica (CECO), Inst. de Geociências, Univ. Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Bresil

HESP, P.

Dept. of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, Etats-Unis

PEIXOTO, J.

Dept. de Geociências, Univ. Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Bresil

DILLENBURG, S.R.

Centro de Estudos de Geologia Costeira e Oceânica (CECO), Inst. de Geociências, Univ. Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Bresil

Description :
In this paper, the foredune vegetation along Moçambique Beach, southern Brazil, is examined in an attempt to relate the variations in vegetation percent cover and diversity on the foredune with alongshore variations in exposure and therefore environmental variables, since the presence/absence of the species can also change with gradients in beach/surfzone type and exposure to wind and wave energy. The results show that the vegetation cover decreases from south to north. A cluster analysis demonstrated 2 associations : the first one is represented by the profiles located in the lower energy zone of the beach, and the second association is represented by the profiles more exposed to wind and wave energy, sediment deposition and salt spray. The diversity of species decreases northwards, possibly influenced by the surfzone type, number of breaking waves and degree of aeolian transport.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2008, vol. 33, n°. 10, p. 1557-1573, nombre de pages : 17, Références bibliographiques : 51 ref.

Date :
2008

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais