Mediterranean Coastal Landscape Research Articles

A complex interplay between natural and anthropogenic factors shapes plant diversity patterns in Mediterranean coastal dunes

ContextA long history of human colonisation has profoundly altered Mediterranean coastal dunes, as well as their capacity of providing ecosystem services important for human well-being. The provisioning of these services depends on the integrity of the dune system, which is formed and maintained by coastal plant communities. Analysing the drivers of plant diversity is thus crucial for preserving Mediterranean coastal ecosystems.ObjectivesWe investigated the influence of natural factors, anthropogenic activities and shoreline dynamism on different facets of plant diversity, i.e. species richness and the proportion of typical and ruderal species. Moreover, we examined whether natural and anthropogenic factors act as direct or rather indirect drivers of the loss of dune plant diversity.MethodsUsing 20 cm resolution orthophotos, we mapped a wide Mediterranean coastal landscape and obtained a set of variables describing the distribution, abundance and size of natural (coastal dune habitats) and anthropogenic (urban areas and tourism facilities) patches. From the orthophotos, we also quantified the shoreline dynamism (coastal erosion and accretion) occurred in the area over a 10-year period. We then analysed how dune plant species richness, as well as the proportion of typical and ruderal species, related to the landscape variables and shoreline dynamism. Also, using piecewise structural equation modelling, we investigated the complex interplay between landscape variables and shoreline dynamism in shaping coastal plant diversity patterns.ResultsWhen focusing on plant species richness, we found no evidence of a negative effect of anthropogenic activities (urbanisation and tourism) on the diversity of coastal vegetation. However, analysing typical and ruderal plant species revealed that the latter were favoured under human-related disturbance, while typical species of the foredune decreased in areas subject to high anthropogenic pressure. Results of the structural equation models highlighted that shoreline dynamism indirectly affected dune plant diversity through its influence on the landscape configuration.ConclusionsOur results indicate that (i) looking only at plant species richness can lead to underestimating the impact of anthropogenic activities on coastal dune vegetation; and (ii) that human-related activities change the composition of dune vegetation, eventually promoting the establishment of ruderal species. Finally, results show that coastal erosion acts as an indirect driver of plant diversity loss.

How landscape and biotic interactions shape a Mediterranean reptile community

ContextDisentangling the effect of environment and biological interaction on community composition with observational data, within the environmental filtering framework, is challenging because the two processes produce non independent results.ObjectivesAdopting community N-mixture models with symmetric interactions, we aimed at estimating differential effects of landscape structure and biotic interactions on the local abundance of a Mediterranean reptile community including four lizards (Lacerta bilineata; Podarcis siculus; P. muralis; Chalcides chalcides) and two snakes (Hierophis viridiflavus; Natrix Helvetica).MethodsWe sampled reptiles for three consecutive years (2019–2021; 4 surveys/year) on 52 linear transects on a Mediterranean coastal landscape. We analyzed count data by means of a multi-species N-mixture model with symmetric interactions. Interactions within pair of species were estimated from the residual correlation of their realized abundances, after accounting for four landscape features: landscape heterogeneity calculated from land cover data, edge density of woody vegetation patches, tree cover density, net primary productivity.ResultsMost species displayed very low detection probability (p ~ 0.10). All species responded with different intensity and sensitivity to landscape predictors. Two biological interactions resulted significant: L. bilineata and P. siculus showed a positive interaction, while P. muralis and C. chalcides displayed a negative interaction.ConclusionsUsing community N-mixture models we demonstrated that, also with observational data obtained from a realized community, partitioning the filtering process of the landscape from the one of biotic interactions is possible.

The Winds and the Waves That Carved Out Today’s Coastal Landscape of Sines (Portugal)

The Atlantic maritime winds and waves, as natural forces, shaped the physiography of Sines, a peculiar rocky cliff cape at the western Portuguese coast, as well as cultural processes have shaped its spatial arrangement since ancient times. Despite its small size, Sines port has always been an important maritime trade corner. In the 1970s, winds and waves of modernity reached the Sines coast with an imposing industrial-port complex. We present the history of Sines cape focusing on its landscape dynamics. The patch-corridor-matrix model allowed us to describe the mosaic transformation of such a unique landscape. Spatial information was gathered mostly from historical maps processed with digital tools. A time series of thematic maps (landscape mosaic pattern) was obtained, covering more than 120 years. Current results emphasize that this landscape underwent relevant transformations related to human activities since former times, although disturbance and fragmentation of the landscape were strongly intensified after the arrival of the post-modern wave of the industrial culture. The present study provides a contribution to the history of the Portuguese and Mediterranean coastal landscapes; and results could be used to support decision making in sustainable management of this territory.

Modeling plant invasion on Mediterranean coastal landscapes: An integrative approach using remotely sensed data

Although many hypotheses explaining invasion success have been formulated, invasion drivers are usually tested in isolation. This work aims to analyze the combined influence of propagule pressure (P), abiotic (A) and biotic (B) factors (PAB) on determining the invasion process of an exotic plant taxon (Carpobrotus sp.) in Mediterranean coastal landscapes. Specifically, we used a binomial Generalized Additive Model for exploring the relation between the occurrence of the invasive species and a set of PAB proxy variables derived from high-resolution remote sensed imagery (LiDAR – Light Detection and Ranging – and orthophotos). We evaluated the predictive power of the model by computing the mean of the AUC scores obtained through a 5-fold cross-validation and visual inspection of the Hosmer-Lemeshow plot. The integrated PAB approach efficiently captured the different roles played by the drivers of invasion in affecting the presence of the species. Invasion does not proceed homogeneously across the coastal landscape, but is promoted wherever the combined action of the PAB factors is favorable for establishment of the invader. Moreover, the use of remotely sensed data allowed us to model the invader-landscape relationship on a large geographic extent and to highlight the coastal sectors that are most likely to be invaded in the future.

Analysis of landscape changes as an indicator for environmental monitoring.

Mediterranean coastal landscapes are complex systems that are subject to rapid and extensive changes due to unprecedented human interference. Changes in these landscapes are strong indications of anthropogenic disturbances that should be monitored carefully in order to make effective management decisions. Landscape changes can be analyzed using many qualitative and quantitative techniques. In this respect, the importance of land cover information arises from the fact that any change in the composition and/or configuration of land cover can be used as a landscape-level environmental indicator. Therefore, proper understanding of spatial and temporal characteristics of this environmental attribute is of vital importance as it enables decision-makers to reveal causes of environmental issues and to cope with consequences of mismanagement. The aims of this paper are to analyze landscape-level changes using the largest patch index (LPI) as a simple pattern indicator and provide guidelines for studying change phenomena that take place in the Mediterranean coastal areas. In this respect, changes in the LPI values for agricultural and built-up areas in three different sites were analyzed using georeferenced Ikonos and Quickbird images. The concepts of pattern and process were highlighted as important indicators for studying landscapes and understanding their change.

Studying the historical evolution of ecosystem services to inform management policies for developed shorelines

Coastal areas of developed countries have been altered by human activities, especially since the mid-20th century. This has notably affected the flow of ecosystem services that these environments provide. In this context, this paper’s research has focused on the historical evolution of socio-ecological dynamics and ecosystem services in a Mediterranean coastal landscape, characterized by the intense development of recent decades and the high biodiversity value. Qualitative and quantitative data were gathered and analyzed through different methods (document and spatial analysis, statistical treatment). Results show the long history of many ecosystem services (increase/decrease in food provisioning, stabilization/decline of regulating services and no use/intense use of cultural services) and their decline in recent decades due to industrial and residential development (which expanded from 1.7 to 47.5%). To overcome this situation, this paper discusses the current state of ecosystem services and conservation tasks carried out and how the results of the research can be included in the different elements of the governance of shoreline areas.

What has happened to coastal dunes in the last half century? A multitemporal coastal landscape analysis in Central Italy

The current degradation of the Mediterranean coastal landscape highlights the necessity of, performing long term multitemporal analysis to guide land managers seeking to improve coastal, conservation, planning and management. This work sets out to quantify landscape changes for the last, 50 years in one sector of the Italian coast, with emphasis on natural dune cover types, and to analyze, their spatial configuration in relation to the anthropogenic cover types to investigate the processes, underlying these changes. On the basis of detailed land-cover maps (dated 1954, 1986 and 2006), we, assessed landscape changes by transition matrices. The spatial pattern of natural dune cover types, (Beaches with Pioneer annual Vegetation, Herbaceous Dune Vegetation and Woody Dune Vegetation), for the three dates was described by patch-based (Patch Size and Shape Index) and edge-based metrics, (patch shared boundaries with manmade cover types) and compared using the non-parametric, Kruskal–Wallis median test. Multitemporal analyses provided a description of the coastal changes, occurred in the last half century. Particularly notable are consistent intensification of agricultural and, afforestation activities in the inner sectors of the dunes and a widespread urbanization. The natural, dune cover types, originally distributed in few large and elongated patches, have undergone a, substantial reduction of extent and an alteration in their spatial pattern, being now reduced to many, small and regular patches. A significant rise of contacts between natural dune cover types and, urbanized areas and infrastructures was observed. Such landscape analysis could be useful to develop, management strategies for coastal dune areas.

Implementing GIS regression trees for generating the spatial distribution of copper in Mediterranean environments: the case study of Lebanon

Soil contamination by heavy metals has become a widespread dangerous problem in many parts of the world, including the Mediterranean environments. This is closely related to the increase irrigation by waste waters, to the uncontrolled application of sewage sludge, industrial effluents, pesticides and fertilizers, to the rapid urbanization, to the atmospheric deposition of dust and aerosols, to the vehicular emissions and to many other negative human activities. In this context, this paper predicts the spatial distribution and concentration level of copper (Cu) in the 195 km2 of Nahr el-Jawz watershed coastal area situated in northern Lebanon using a geographic information system (GIS) and regression-tree analysis. The chosen area represents a typical case study of Mediterranean coastal landscape with deteriorating environment. Fifteen environmental parameters (parent material, soil type, pH, hydraulical conductivity, organic matter, stoniness ratio, soil depth, slope gradient, slope aspect, slope curvature, land cover/use, distance to drainage line, proximity to roads, nearness to cities, and surroundings to waste areas) were generated from satellite imageries, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), ancillary data and/or field observations to statistically explain Cu laboratory measurements. A large number of tree-based regression models (214) were developed using (1) all parameters, (2) all soil parameters only, and (3) selected pairs of parameters. The best regression tree model (with the lowest number of terminal nodes) combined soil pH and surroundings to waste areas, and explained 77% of the variability in Cu laboratory measurements. The overall accuracy of the predictive quantitative copper map produced using this model (at 1 : 50,000 cartographic scale) was estimated to be ca. 80%. Applying the proposed tree model is relatively simple, and may be used in other coastal areas. It is certainly of significant interest to local governments and municipalities. It will serve several development projects concerned with improving the environmental conditions and the quality of living in coastal areas.

Analyzing Landscape Change and Urban Sprawl in a Mediterranean Coastal Landscape: A Case Study from Izmir, Turkey

Hepcan, S.; Coskun Hepcan, C.; Kilicaslan, C.; Ozkan, M.B., and Kocan, N. 2013. Analyzing landscape change and urban sprawl in a Mediterranean coastal landscape: a case study from Izmir, Turkey. The aim of this study was to analyze and interpret landscape change and urban sprawl in a coastal landscape of Turkey, in the province of Izmir, by remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems technologies with data spanning a 42-year period (1963–2005). Landscape change was analyzed from CORONA and ASTER images taken in 1963 and 2005, respectively. A postclassification algorithm for change detection was applied using ERDAS software. The results revealed significant changes in land cover and urban fabric during the period from 1963 to 2005. The built-up area increased from 8.18% to 28.88%, primarily at the expense of agricultural land. Agricultural land declined from 13.65% to 5.19% of the total area and was mostly isolated on the peripheries of the study area, which had a very patchy and scattered configuration. The urban fabric evolved on a linear path from a rural, low-density settlement character to an urban, high-density development. The compact urban form in 1963 transformed into urban sprawl by 2005, primarily along the area's transportation network and the coastline around Izmir Bay, Turkey. To minimize further urban sprawl and to maintain natural habitats, an ecologically sustainable growth strategy is required. For this purpose, landscape planning with special emphasis on developing spatially connected landscapes would be useful because the current urban master-planning process lacks a sustainable ecological vision.

Stuck to the shore? Investigating prehistoric hunter-gatherer subsistence, mobility and territoriality in a Mediterranean coastal landscape through isotope analyses on marine mollusc shell carbonates and human bone collagen

Subsistence and mobility strategies of hunter-gatherers in the Mediterranean Basin during the transition from the late Pleistocene to the early Holocene have been the object of few studies, even though its karst coastal regions have high densities of prehistoric sites. One such area is the territory of the Conca d’Oro in NW Sicily, which has numerous sites with faunal remains testifying to economies mainly based on hunting of terrestrial ungulates and on the regular consumption of molluscs. This paper presents results from the study of faunal remains from cave sites occupied by hunter-gatherers in the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, and of isotope analyses on shells of marine molluscs collected for food and on collagen from the bones of the hunter-gatherers buried in these caves. The mollusc assemblages are dominated by inter-tidal rocky shore species of the genera Patella and Osilinus, which from 16 to 9 kyrs cal BP were the principal marine resources exploited by the hunter-gatherers of the Conca d’Oro. Oxygen isotope analyses on shells of Osilinus turbinatus show that in the late Pleistocene the exploitation of marine molluscs at the Addaura caves, relatively close to the shoreline, was restricted to late autumn and winter, while at Grotta Niscemi, which is further inland, these resources were exploited less intensively but for longer in the year, from autumn to the early spring. The data from the shells (both isotope and biometrical) suggest that late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers spent the coldest months of the year close to the coast, moving inland in late spring and for the summer. In the early Holocene, by contrast, marine molluscs were exploited longer during the year, attesting to a change in mobility strategies and, probably, frequent moves within more restricted territories. Carbon and nitrogen isotopes in human bone collagen from Grotta Addaura Caprara and Grotta della Molara show that marine foods were marginal in the diets of both late Pleistocene and early Holocene hunter-gatherers. Overall, the data indicate that the territory of the Conca d’Oro hunter-gatherers probably extended from the coastal plain to the upland areas during the late Pleistocene, but became more restricted in the early Holocene. This model might have broader application to hunter-gatherer settlement systems in other karst coastal areas of the Mediterranean.

Monitoring Environmental Changes in the Mediterranean Coastal Landscape: The Case of Cukurova, Turkey

This paper describes a remote sensing approach used to monitor temporal land use/cover (LULC) changes in Cukurova, an extensive coastal plain in the southeast Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The area has varied terrain ranging from low-lying alluvial deposits to rocky hills and mountains characterized by limestone outcrops. The ecological and economic importance of the area can be attributed to the existence of important coastal ecosystems (e.g., wetlands and sand dunes) and a wide range of industries located along the eastern coast. Temporal changes in the coastal landscape between 1984 and 2000 were evaluated using digital interpretation of remotely sensed satellite data. Pairwise comparison methods were used to quantify changes from 1984 to 1993 and 1993 to 2000 using multitemporal Landsat TM and ETM+ images, acquired in 1984, 1993, and 2000, respectively. Total change area was 2448 ha from 1984 to 1993 and increased more than twofold, to 6072 ha from 1993 to 2000. Change trends were determined using the information provided from individual change detection outputs of different periods. The most prominent changes were estimated to have occurred in agriculture, urban, and natural vegetation cover. Agriculture has increasingly grown over marginal areas, whereas urban development occurred at the expense of prime croplands across both time steps.