Quantifying landscape-ecological succession in a coastal dune system using sequential aerial photography and GIS |
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Authors: | S Shanmugam M Barnsley |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Geo-science and Engineering, Auna University, 600 025 Madras, India;(2) Department of Geography, University of Wales, Swansea, Singleton Park, SA2 8PP Swansea, Wales, UK |
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Abstract: | Summary This contribution presents an attempt to measure the path of habitat and vegetation succession in a coastal dune system (Kenfig
Burrows, South Wales) using remote sensing and GIS. The loss of slack habitats associated with the continuing stabilization
of this dune system is a major cause for concern. These habitats support a range of plant species, including the rare fen
orchid,Liparis loeselii, as well as other hydrophytes. A decrease in their areal extent implies a reduction in biodiversity. To quantify the overall
rate and spatial dimension of these changes, a series of aerial photographs dating from 1962 to 1994 were digitized and analysed
in an image processing system. The resultant maps. transferred to a vector-based GIS, were used to derive a transition matrix
for the dune system over this period of time. The results indicate that there has been a marked reduction in the total area
of bare sand (19.6% of the dune system in 1962, but only 1.5% in 1994) and a decline in both the areal extent and the number
of dune slacks. Over the same period of time, there has been an increase inSalix repens dominated habitats, at the expense of pioneer species. Analysis of the habitat maps, together with hydrological data, within
the GIS suggests that even the dry slacks have the potential for further greening and to support invasive species. In terms
of habitat management however, there is still scope to restore many of the slacks to their original state. It is estimated
that at least 24% of the area occupied by partially and moderately vegetated slacks could be rehabilitated. |
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Keywords: | Biodiversity Dune slack Dune stabilization Dynamical landscape Kenfig Burrows Liparis loeselii Multispectral image |
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