Modifications paysagères et mécanisation des cotes sableuses de la région d’alicante (s-e de l’Espagne) et leurs impacts sur la faune carcinologique semi-terrestre

Abstract

A survey has been conducted in February 2004 on two sites located at the Alicante province (South East of Spain). It aims the evaluation of the impact induced by the modification of the landscapes as well as the mechanical cleaning of beaches on some hemi-terrestrial arthropods diversity and density. The first site, a small beach at Santa Pola is characterised by a rocky barrier with minor anthropic pressures while, the second one, a larger beach situated at El Pinet with a large touristic frequentation and a high level periodic mechanic cleaning. Despite a weak density of collected arthropods, this study showed that the biodiversity of the Santa Pola beach is more important than the one observed at El Pinet. This latter is characterised by a quasi absence of hemiterrestrial amphipods. This result could be explained by the human activities that affect the El Pinet beach while Santa Pola one is prevented from it.The concomitant sampling period as well as the vicinity of the 2 sites exclude the impact of climate conditions and biotic factors. Only Tylos europaeus is commun in the 2 localities.