Abstract

PAIXăO, Raquel. Morpho-ecological characterization of the Peniche-Baleal dune system (portuguese west coast). Finisterra [online]. 2013, n.95, pp.41-60. ISSN 0430-5027.

Morpho-ecological characterization of the Peniche-Baleal dune system (portuguese west coast). the Peniche-Baleal coastal dune system has a strategic importance on regional development, marked by considerable investment in tourism and recreational sectors. the increasing human impact on this coastal dune system caused by human trampling tends to modify its geomorphological and ecological degradation, namely sand dune vegetation reduction. the morpho-ecological characterization of the coastal dune system was accomplished by six morpho-ecological profiles as well as data from field surveys that allowed the (i) characterisation of foredune morphology and coastal dune system morphology; (ii) identification of different morpho-ecological coastal dunes types; (iii) identification of sand dune vegetation diversity and main spatial mosaics; (iv) identification of sand dune species of the different morpho-ecological costal dunes types. As a result, sand dune vegetation shows high biodiversity and good conservation conditions especially landward. It is possible to identify two important Portuguese endemic sand dune species - Armeria welwitschii and Verbascum litigiosum - with legal protection status.

Keywords : Coast; dune system; sand dune vegetation; anthropogenic degradation; ecological degradation.

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