Coastal erosion, in combination with sea-level rise and extreme meteorological events, is globally threatening the biodiversity and functioning of dune ecosystems, along with the essential ecosystem services they provide. In this study, by quantifying the intensity of erosion and accretion processes occurred over two decades in a wide Mediterranean dune system, we explore the influence of sand processes on dune plant communities focusing on a large portion of the sea-inland gradient. In particular, using different regression techniques, we assess how erosion and accretion processes affect richness, cover and diversity of Mediterranean coastal dune plant communities. Results show that the influence of coastal erosion and accretion varies along the sea-inland gradient, with foreseeable consequences on the integrity of dune systems. The negative effect of erosion seems to be particularly marked on foredunes, which play a key role in dune formation, while decreasing in landward communities. On the other hand, accretion features an opposite trend, unexpectedly influencing only Mediterranean shrubs. We highlight the importance of monitoring the effects of erosion and accretion processes on coastal vegetation in order to support the conservation of dune habitats and preserve the associated ecosystem services, especially in the context of climate and human-induced changes.

沿海侵蚀，再加上海平面上升和极端的气象事件，正在全球威胁沙丘生态系统的生物多样性和功能，以及它们提供的基本生态系统服务。在这项研究中，通过量化在一个宽泛的地中海沙丘系统中发生在二十多年中的侵蚀和增生过程的强度，我们重点研究了沙丘过程对沙丘植物群落的影响，重点是大部分内陆梯度。尤其是，我们使用不同的回归技术评估侵蚀和增生过程如何影响地中海沿海沙丘植物群落的丰富度，覆盖度和多样性。结果表明，海岸侵蚀和增生的影响沿海陆梯度变化，对沙丘系统的完整性具有可预见的影响。侵蚀的负面影响似乎在前兆上尤为明显，前兆在沙丘形成中起着关键作用，而陆上社区则逐渐减少。另一方面，吸积具有相反的趋势，出乎意料地仅影响地中海灌木丛。我们强调了监测侵蚀和增生过程对沿海植被影响的重要性，以支持沙丘生境的养护并保持相关的生态系统服务，尤其是在气候和人为变化的背景下。