Determination fractale des types de cotes basee sur les systemes d'informations geographiques : cas de la Tunisie

Abstract

The fractal dimensions of the Tunisian coast are determined using GIS-based techniques, based on a 1:100000 scale map. The fractal dimension is estimated at 1.0805.  Subdivision of the Tunisian coast into three parts (north, east and south) highlights a decrease of the fractal dimension from north to south, indicating that the complexity of the coast decreases toward low latitudes. Numerous consequences emerged from these results, applicable to sampling strategies and the interpretation of species distributions and diversity patterns along the coast.