UAV monitoring of the spread of Juniperus macrocarpa on the dunes of NW Tuscany

Juniperus macrocarpa Sm. is a shrub or small tree typical of stable dunes and cliffs in the Mediterranean region (1). The species is diagnostic, constant, and dominant of EUNIS habitat N1B with a VU (vulnerable) status (2). Although not considered an entity at risk, its distribution and habitat in Tuscany show a great discontinuity, due to high anthropic pressure and/or erosion. Here J. macrocarpa in some areas has almost vanished due to erosion, in others, it is threatened by tourist pressure, in others still, instead, is expanding. In this survey, we report data related to the fast spread of juniper observed in Marina di Vecchiano (PI), a sandy coast in the north part of the MSRM Regional Park.