Research on Distribution Characteristics of Coastal Plants in Relation to Zonation and their Influential Factors

Abstract

In this study, distribution characteristics of coastal plants were examined in relation to zonation. The field investigation was carried out by using the belt transect method at 34 beaches located along the Bay of Osaka. As a result, 10 beaches were classified into the barren type, and 8 were classified into the type with single vegetation in some parts, which showed that coastal plants were in poor condition in more than half of the beach studied. Moreover, the distribution characteristics were influenced by factors related to beach use, including land use, facility location, and accessibility to and usability of areas neighbouring the beaches. This study suggests that combination of land use and usability of areas neighbouring the beaches is the main factor that influences distribution characteristics.