Identification and prioritization of native plant species for the restoration of eroded beaches and dunes in Colombia

In Colombia beaches and dunes experienced erosion problems and require restoration measures. Some alternatives include the addition of vegetation as a mechanism to stabilize the sand and to mitigate the problem; however, there are no guidelines for judging what plant species should be selected. To provide input to the development of these strategies, an evaluation of native plants with potential for the restoration of beaches and dunes was carried out, analyzing their life history traits. For this, through the review of secondary information, 25 native species were evaluated using eleven traits, expressed in 25 states, and a score was assigned according to their performance facing the ecological challenges. After qualification, six species were prioritized for research and use in restoration: Canavalia rosea, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Batis maritima, Sporobolus virginicus, and Spartina spartinae; eight additional species show potential for this purpose. This research provides inputs for the design of communities with greater probabilities of success in restoration programs in areas affected by coastal erosion in Colombia and opens up a spectrum of research needs in this field.