Análisis preliminar de factores que controlan la dispersión de una especie exótica invasora (Neurada procumbens) en un campo de dunas árido expuesto a usos turísticos continuados

Abstract

The Maspalomas Special Natural Reserve is an arid transgressive dune field located around the main tourist area of Gran Canaria (Spain) and, therefore, subjected to considerable anthropic pressure associated with the uses that come with urban-tourist development. Since the last century, the expansion of an exotic invasive plant species (Neurada procumbens) of heliophilous-psammophilous ecology linked to stabilized sand areas and epizoochorous dispersion has been observed. This species was presumably introduced into the system attached to the extremities of dromedaries brought to the south of the island for agricultural work between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this regard, a diachronic study conducted in 2023 confirmed a solid invasive behavior manifested by its presence outside its previous distribution area and by the increase in its abundance since 2007, the date of the previous study on the taxon. This work aims to determine the relationships between different eco-anthropic factors and the detected levels of expansion. The methodology was based on to calculate the paths network density, vegetation density, and the sedimentary budgets experienced in the specie’s distribution area using geographic information systems. Finally, these variables are statistically related to the levels of expansion obtained between 2007 and 2023. The results suggest that there are correlations between the levels of taxon expansion, the density of existing trails in the natural reserve, sediment dynamics, and vegetation cover.