Abstract
Abstract Coastal beaches often harbor a relatively small number of specialized herbaceous species that are locally abundant, providing stabilization of sediments regularly subjected to wind and sand movement. However, rare storm events can cause water surges that completely wash over the beach and cause a major disturbance to the plant community. This study examines frequencies and densities of key herbaceous species on Miller Field Beach, Staten Island, New York, before and after major storm surges caused by Hurricane Irene (August 2011) and Superstorm Sandy (October 2012). Changes in vegetation were documented by surveys of the same 45–75-m section of beach, using quadrats (33 cm diameter) placed at 3-m intervals along transects, in mid-September of 2007, 2009, 2011 (2 wk after Irene), 2012 (1 mo before Sandy), and 2013. Native annual species, including Cenchrus tribuloides L. (dune sandbur), Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britton & Rusby (camphorweed), and Triplasis purpurea (Walter) Chapm. (purple sa...
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