Seasonal variation in dune vegetation at South Padre Island, Texas.

Authors

• Frank W. Judd, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Robert I. Lonard, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Kenneth R. Summy, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Ruben A. Mazariegos, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2007

Abstract

Seasonal variation in vegetative cover, species richness, species composition and species importance were compared in the backshore and primary dunes topographic zones at a dune protection area and an unprotected site on South Padre Island, Texas, from May 2004 to April 2005. Cover was greatest in fall, but there was no significant variation among seasons in percent cover in the backshore or primary dunes at either site. Species richness was significantly greater at the dune protection site, but there was no significant seasonal variation in species richness in either topographic zone at either site. Species composition differed between topographic zones and sites, but was similar among seasons within a topographic zone at a given site. Heterotheca subaxillaris was either the dominant species or a co-dominant species in both the backshore and primary dunes at the dune protection site. There was significant variation in dominance in the backshore and primary dunes at the unprotected site. Ipomoea pes-caprae was the dominant species in warm seasons and Croton punctatus was dominant in winter.

Comments

Copyright 2007 Texas Academy of Science.

Recommended Citation

Judd, Frank W., Robert I. Lonard, K. Rod Summy, and Ruben A. Mazariegos. 2007. “Seasonal Variation in Dune Vegetation at South Padre Island, Texas.” The Texas Journal of Science 59 (2): 113–27.

Publication Title

Texas Journal of Science