Sand topography influences the distribution of xerohalophytic vegetation on a southern Adriatic beach in Montenegro

Abstract

Totally, 26 xerohalophytic species belonging to the associations Cakilo-Xanthietum italici and Echinophoro-Elymetum farcti were registered at the Velika plaza beach (Montenegro); they were distributed following the spatial succession common in this type of habitat. Three transects of different terrain morphology (positioned perpendicularly to the shoreline) were surveyed to establish if there were any differences in the ftoristic composition and species distribution due to the configuration discrepancy. Moreover, each transect was divided into zones: The first zone from 0 to 30 m inland, the second zone from 30 m to 60 m inland, and the third zone from 60 m to the end of beach (75-115 m, depending on transect length). The ftoristic composition was relatively uniform in the different transects. However, the number of individuals per species differed significantly among these transects. An analysis of the qualitative composition of transects/zones showed high differences between zones within transects I and 11, whereas species composition of zones within transect III was mostly similar. When analyzing the quantitative composition of species, a positive correlation between the distance from the shoreline and the number of individuals per species in transects I and 11was registered for most analyzed species (Spearman correlation, p < 0.001). This indicates that terrain configuration affected the ability of present species to become established and propagate.