Characterization and Ecophysiological Observations on Coastal Sand Dune Vegetation from Goa, Central West Coast, India

Abstract

Coastal Sand Dune flora (CSD) forms a specialized group of plants commonly referred as psammophytes. Goa has limited natural resources including beaches and sand dunes. The state is globally known for its tourism activities, which pressurize the coastal stretches particularly sand dune habitats, which are of great ecological significance. Considering the importance of sand dune flora in the stabilization of dunes and beach ecosystems, it is imperative to know the status of community structure and influence of various environmental and edaphic parameters on it. Most of the ecological studies pertaining to the CSD flora have been carried out in temperate and sub-tropical regions (Olff et al., 1993; Sykora et al., 2004; Houle 2008). Limited information exists on the ecology of CSDs from the tropics and particularly from India (Moreno-Casasola, 1986; Castillo et al., 1991; Untawale, 1980; Desai, 1995; Shridhar 2009; Padmavathy et al., 2010). In view of the above, the detailed ecological investigations on sand dune vegetation from Goa were carried out. The data generated during the present investigations would be of a great help in the conservation and management of CSD habitats. The outcome of the studies are presented and discussed under the various chapters mentioned below.