Estructura, composición y diversidad del matorral de duna costera en el litoral yucateco

in order to provide elements to make decisions in future management programs, the scrub vegetation of coastal sand dune was characterized in yucatan, mexico. this ecosystem has been deteriorated and fragmented due to anthropogenic activities. we recorded the height, coverage and taxonomic identity of individuals > 50 cm in height, in ten locations. a total of 71 species of vascular plants in 36 families were recorded. two types of communities, one with a shrub dominance and individuals lees than 3 m and other one with larger individuals > 3 m. values of alpha diversity (26.6), gamma (71) and beta (2.66) were determined. classification and ordenation analyzes distinguished three groups of vegetation: g1) in the western part of the coast was characterized by species such as pithecellobium keyense and sideroxylon americanum, g2) in the central part by coccothrinax readii, bravaisia berlandieriana and metopium brownei, g3) in the east, was characterized by coccothrinax readii, thrinax radiata and pseudophoenix sargentii. this study provides ecological elements to take decisions on future programs of restoration and management of the coastal dune in yucatan, mexico.