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Call for Papers for open call N° 71, July 2026, semi-thematic
Global changes and their effects on the earth system: climate and the cryosphere
Deadline for paper submissions: April 15, 2026
Vegetation analysis in dune chronosecuences Santo Domingo-El Yali Dune Field
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Abstract
This work analyse the similarity of plant community structure between dunes of different kinds and ages in the dune field of Santo Domingo-El Yali, in coastal central Chile, all of which belong to different phases of a dune chronosequence. The general pattern for species richness and cover values increase with the chronosequence. The cluster analysis based on the community structure
coefficient of similarity results in two main groups of plant communities. The first group lumps together the microdunes and the present foredune with a 50% of similarity, and the modern and middle parallel dune ridges with a 90% of similarity. The second group lumps communities with similarity coefficients lower than 40%. This group has three subgroups including medium and
ancient parabolic dunes, upsiloidal dunes, and ancient gravel ridge. In general, values of similarity decrease with the chronosequence. According to the results, it is possible to conclude that there are specific plant communities to each phase of the chronosequence, especially to the parabolic an upsiloidal dune phases. Primary successions occurrs in primary dunes with pioneer species like
Ambrossia chamissonis and Carpobrotus aequilaterus, which would allow the establishment of later species. Secondary succession on secondary dunes reflects the influence of morphogenesis on the course of the succession.
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