A methodology for longitudinal monitoring of vegetation colonising coastal dunes : a case study on dune communities of beaches to the southeast of Foce d’Ombrone, Maremma Regional Park, Tuscany, Italy

Abstract

Comparative studies of the vegetation of coastal dune systems frequently require rapid, cost-effective surveys of vegetation along a time scale that varies according to the nature of the studies being carried out. Restrictive time schedules may necessitate qualitative surveys that would potentially produce results that are significantly variable according to the experience and competence of the observers concerned. Minimisation of the influence of subjectivity in data collection may be achieved by quantifying observation, an approach that would however reduce cost-effectiveness by increasing the time required to carry out the relevant studies.