INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF GEOMORPHOLOGICAL AND VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN A COMPLEX DUNEFIELD. CAPO COMINO CASE STUDY (NE SARDINIA, ITALY).
Tesi di Dottorato
Data di Pubblicazione:
2012
Citazione:
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF GEOMORPHOLOGICAL AND VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN A COMPLEX DUNEFIELD. CAPO COMINO CASE STUDY (NE SARDINIA, ITALY) / I. Balduzzi ; tutor: I. Vagge ; co-tutor: N. Corradi ; coordinatore: G. Zocchi. Universita' degli Studi di Milano, 2012 Feb 10. 24. ciclo, Anno Accademico 2011. [10.13130/balduzzi-ileana_phd2012-02-10].
Abstract:
The coastal environment is increasingly subject to utilization and anthropogenic disturbance. Currently a large proportion of the worldwide human population lives close to the coastline and this has led to the modification – and often the deterioration – of many previously intact coasts and ecosystems. In particular, the marketing of coastal recreation has increased drastically during the last century obliterating many natural systems. As a result, many coastal systems of the world are in advanced stages of degradation (e.g. with the elimination of native and endemic species and the introduction of the exotics, or the erosive processes induced by human modification of the natural environment, in addition to the natural erosion to which coasts are exposed (Pranzini and Rossi, 2000). In the worst cases, coastal ecosystems have been completely removed in the process of providing living space for the encroaching human population.
Dunes, beaches, coastal wetlands and salt marshes are generally considered as ecosystems at risk of loss as they are of high potential economic value or sources of biodiversity for coastal management schemes (e.g. biodiversity protection, ICZM protocols following the Barcelona protocol, 1978). The scientific investigation and understanding of natural processes in coastal ecosystems forms the basis of appropriate conservation and protection activities.
The present study investigates the development of an integrated methodology for the characterization of costal dune systems. It aims to produce a general overview of the Capo Comino landscape and its evolution to aid strategic planning decisions for enhancing the environmental sustainability of this natural system.
Focus has been given to the most relevant elements of the dunefield, such as its morphological aspect, the influence of the climate on its evolution and the distribution of vegetation.
A preliminary study of the general setting of the dunefield area allowed the development of a novel procedure for monitoring the dunes, integrating remote sensing strategies, in-situ measurements and data organization using geographical information systems (GIS).
The phases of this project may be summarized thus:
- Review of the existing literature
Coastal dunes have a worldwide distribution and they are characterized by a variety of forms exhibiting successional changes in geomorphology and ecological associations. The central topic for this phase of the research was the analysis of the studies focused on spatial and temporal variation in morphology, the sequences of biological succession in dune types and their adaptation to environmental stresses.
From the morphological point of view, coastal dunes are highly variable in form and dimensions and their current aspect is the consequence of stabilization and destabilization processes (Nordstrom et al., 1991; Psuty, 1997, 1999; Hesp, 2004, 2006; Martinez and Psuty, 2004). The main morphological constraints for their development are related to sediment supply, wind conditions, stabilizing vegetation and human interaction. Furthermore, in coastal environments the dichotomy between the dunes and the beach is a very significant factor.
With regard to vegetation, succession on coastal dunes has been the focus of many researches starting around a century ago (initial studies were carried out by Steinheil in 1832 and Cowles in 1899). In the present study vegetation associations and their distribution form the main topic, using the phytosociological method.
- Identification of the available information for the study area
The state of knowledge for the local study area was determined from published sources. Further data such as aerial and satellite images were evaluated and the vegetation analysis was carried ou
Tipologia IRIS:
Tesi di dottorato
Keywords:
integrated study ; coastal dunes ; monitoring ; phytosociology ; geomorphology ; capo comino ; sardinia
Elenco autori:
I. Balduzzi
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