COMPARISON OF DUNE HABITATS OF NORTH MEDITERRANEAN COASTS - TUSCANY (IT) WITH THOSE OF BLACK SEA COASTS -DOBROGEA (RO, BG): SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Data related to the floristic and phytocoenotic features of dune areas located in two European coastal areas are reported. These areas are very different by the biogeographical point of view: the coast of Tuscany (Italy, Mediterranean Region, Italo-Thyrrenian province), and the coast of Dobrogea, a cross-border coastal strip between Romania and Bulgaria on the Black Sea (Eurosiberian Region, Escitian province). Both coasts are about 300 km long, and include main habitats (sensu Directive 92/43/EEC) of European coastal dune environments (habitats 1210, 2110, 2120, 2130, 2160, 2210, 2230, 2240, 2250) (Tab. 1). Some habitats have been identified exclusively in a specific geographical area (H2210, H2230, H2240, H2250 only in Tuscan coast (T), H2130, H2160 only in Dobrogea (D), some common to both (H1210, H2110, H2120) (Fig.1) (1, 2). A gradual increase of stenomediterranean species (Tuscany) or eurimediterranean species (Dobrogea) proceeding from north to south was found; as well as a high floristic diversity between the two compared bioregions even within the same habitats. Finally the floristic difference tends to increase from foredune habitats to fixed dunes. This is related mainly to phytoclimatic, phytogeographical, ecological and geomorphological factors. In both study areas a discontinue presence of some foredune habitats (eg. H1210, H2110, H2120) due to anthropic alterations was found

BIOMETRIC AND MORHOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS ON SALIX FRAGILIS (SALICACEAE) LEAVES

The paper discloses a research model of leaf investigation, based on biometric measurements and morphologic observations. There are only a few examples of this type of biometric investigation model applied on spontaneous plants leaves in literature. The article comprises biometrical and morphologic investigations on 40 leaves of Salix fragilis L. The measurements and observations were performed on 40 mature leaves collected from the apex, middle and base of the crown, including linear measurements, percentage ratio, angular measurements and other measurements such as the number semi-sum of secondary pairs of veins (Np), the teeth number/cm and the lamina surface as well. The biometric measurements were the basis of a mathematical calculation of the average values on the studied species leaves

SEVERAL ISSUES REGARDING THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE PSAMMOPHYLOUS SPECIES POLYGONUM MARITIMUML. AND SILENE THYMIFOLIASIBTH. ET SM. AT THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA COAST

The phenomenon of vegetation dynamics and the fragile balance of the coastalecosystems and also the large number of endangered plant species from these areas represent a permanent challenge to which many specialists have to respond. In this paper we present some issues regarding the ecology, chorology, current conservation status of the species populations within their specific habitats related to the main factors of anthropic and natural impact that affect the populations of the studied plant species and identification and description of measures that can betaken for their conservation and protection. By means of the results obtain through out this study, we present the current status of Polygonum maritimum and Silene thymifolia, as well as their habitats, specific to the Romanian Black Sea coastal area