Phytocenosis of sand dunes on Guanabo beach, Havana, Cuba. I. Incipient dune

Abstract

The heavy damage and destruction of the vegetation of the incipient coastal dunes, caused by anthropization, facilitate the establishment of new synanthropic phytocenoses. These plant communities, on the Guanabo beach, are mainly composed of herbaceous plants, lianas and stoloniferous. The Zürich-Montpellier phytocenological method and the Phytosociological Nomenclature Code were used. The synanthropic phytocenoses described in Guanabo beach were the product of strong anthropization, due to the increase and intensity of human action in the area. The vegetation that was established on the dune remains was enriched with synanthropic species, mainly with native ones, which increased their number and facilitated the stabilization and/or recovery of the composition, structure and functioning of the incipient dune ecosystem.