Relationship between the spatial distribution of coastal sand dune plants and edaphic factors in a coastal sand dune system in Korea

Jeong Sook Hwang, Deok Gyun Choi, Sung Chul Choi, Han San Park, Yong Mok Park, Jeong Jin Bae, Yeon Sik Choo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

We conducted the study on the relationship between the distribution of coastal sand dune plants and edaphic factors from the shoreline to inland in sand dune ecosystem. The application of TWINSPAN classification based on 10 species, led to the recognition of three vegetative groups (A-C), which associated with their habitats (foredune, hummuck in semi-stable zone and stable zone). The associations were separated along soil gradient far from the seashore. The relationships between species composition and environmental gradients were explained by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Distance from the shoreline was an important indicator to determine soil properties (pH, total ion contents, sand particle sizes, organic matters and nitrogen contents) from the seaward area to inland area and distribution pattern of coastal sand dune plants. Group A is foredune zone, characterized by Calystegia soldanella; group included typical foredune spe­cies such as Elymus mollis, Carex kobomugi, Ixeris repens, C. soldanella and Glehnia littoralis. Group B on semi-stabilized zone was characterized by Vitex rotundifolia, a perennial woody shrub. This group was associated the proportion of fine sand size (100 to 250 μm). The results on the proportion of soil particle size showed a transition in sand composition, particularly with respect to the proportion of fine sand size that occurred from the foredune ridge at 32.5 m to the Vitex rotundifolia community at 57.5 m from the shoreline. Group C on stabilized zone was characterized by Zoysia macro­stachya, Lathyrus japonicus and Cynodon dactylon and were associated soil organic matter and nitrogen contents. The spatial distribution of plants in the Goraebul coastal sand dune system may result from the interactions between the plant species and environmental heterogeneity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17-29
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Ecology and Environment
Volume39
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2016

Keywords

  • CCA ordination
  • Coastal sand dune plant
  • Relationship between vegetation and environmental factors
  • Zonal distribution

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