Phytocenosis of sand dunes on Guanabo beach, Havana, Cuba. II. Frontal face of the dune

Abstract

Phytocenosis is described, from the front face of the coastal sand dunes in Guanabo beach, in areas strongly affected by meteorological events and anthropic actions. It is offered a synthetic phytocenological table that includes publications about this kind of ecosystem in Cuba, analyzing the composition and ecological problems. The strong synanthropism provided the establishment of synanthropic phytocenosis, with the persistence of synanthropic autochthonous floristic elements that are dune colonizing species.  The most frequent species on the beaches of the country are discussed. The Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature was applied, using the approved method of Zürich-Montpellier. The identification and knowledge of the plant associations during the high impact period constitutes an important strength. With their knowledge, it is possible to monitor their successional evolution, which will facilitate the ecological restoration of the ecosystem.