Mediterranean dune vegetation: conservation of a threatened ecosystem in southern Spain

Abstract This paper investigates the plant diversity and current state of the vegetation of a little-known threatened dune complex located in Estepona (southern Spain). This littoral fringe has in the past 60 years experienced a continuous process of intensive occupation derived primarily from tourism and agriculture, which has led to the degradation of the fragile and dynamic coastal systems. Its diminished size and lack of legal protection make it vulnerable to a variety of anthropogenic stresses that threaten the survival of the system. Fieldwork has been the primary methodological procedure to conduct research, given the scarcity of previous studies. The results first of all provide a biogeographical and phytosociological view that elucidates the remarkable plant diversity of the area studied and the complete zonal structure of the communities that comprise the ecosystem. Secondly, a vegetal cartography was created (detail of 1: 2500) to characterize the distribution of flora. This exploration and mapping of vegetation are effective tools in forming a conservation proposal to combat anthropogenic conflicts that destabilize the system. In this sense, harmful human activities threatening the plant phytodiversity of the various strips of vegetation forming the dunes have also been identified.