Distribution of xerohalophytic vegetation along the seaward and landward zone in south-adriatic sandy beach (Montenegro)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the distribution of two typical widespread xerohalophytic associations in sandy and sandy-shingle beaches of Montenegrin foreland: Cakilo-Xanthietum italici (Beg. 1941) Pign.1953 and Echinophoro-Elymetum farcti GÉHU 1988. Intense human activity generally affects the processes of vegetation degradation in this habitat type. The Velika plaža beach near Ulcinj is one of the few relatively undamaged sand beaches, in floristic and vegetational sense. Major environmental gradient in this habitat is the decrease in moisture and salinity from seaward to landward zone. This site’s conditions model the prominent zonation of coastal plant species and distribution patterns of plants and plant communities.