Floristic composition and vegetation ecology of the Malindi bay coastal dune field, Kenya |
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Authors: | J O Z Abuodha W M Musila H van der Hagen |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental Studies, Maseno University, P.O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya;(2) Plant Conservation Program, National Museums of Kenya, P.O. Box 45166, Nairobi, Kenya;(3) Dumwaterbedrijf Zuid-Holland, Cantineweg 19A, 2224 XP Katwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | A short outline is given of the floristic composition, structure and distribution of coastal dune vegetation found at Malindi
Bay, Kenya. The area was studied by air photo interpretation and field sampling to determine the relationship of plants to
aeolian features. TWINSPAN classification was used to distinguish geomorphological units on the basis of their species composition.
In this paper, an inventory and first quantitative analysis of vegetation distribution is presented. We identified 174 plant
species from 62 families in the sand dunes and several plant communities are distinguished based on the species content and
the connection with morphological units.Papilionaceae with 18 species andPoaceae with 17 species were the most represented families. A distinct zonal distribution of the plant communities was found.
The most important plant species are the pioneer vegetation consisting ofHalopyrum mucronatum, Ipomoea pescaprae andScaevola plumieri. The woody shrub species which have colonized the established primary dunes and hummock dunes areCordia somaliensis, Pluchea discoridis, Tephrosia purpurea (dunensis). Succulent herbs were identified in the dune slacks and salt marsh that are moist and damp environments. |
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Keywords: | Classification Coastal dune Ecosystem Geomorphological unit Geomorphology Monsoon Structure Tropical |
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