Mediterranean and Black Sea sand beach
Description (English)
A largely unvegetated linear feature of sheltered coastlines around the Mediterranean and Black Seas, with fragmentary and sporadic vegetation cover developing on the accumulated sand, gravel and decaying plant material. Typically, the vegetation cover comprises scattered annual halophytes, although pioneer dune perennials can appear where sand ridges get pushed by storms beyond the normal tidal limit.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code N12 |
|---|---|
| Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
Flowering Plants
Cakile maritima
Flowering Plants
Euphorbia peplis
Fishes
Salsola kali
Flowering Plants
Polygonum maritimum
Flowering Plants
Xanthium orientale
Flowering Plants
Eryngium maritimum
Diagnostic species occur concentrated in the habitat in question, but are absent or rare in other habitats. They are good positive indicators of the habitat, but they do not need to occur in every location of the habitat.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Cakile maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Euphorbia peplis | Flowering Plants | |
| Salsola kali | Fishes | |
| Polygonum maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Xanthium orientale | Flowering Plants | |
| Eryngium maritimum | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Cakile maritima
Fishes
Salsola kali
Flowering Plants
Xanthium orientale
Flowering Plants
Euphorbia peplis
Flowering Plants
Eryngium maritimum
Flowering Plants
Polygonum maritimum
Flowering Plants
Sporobolus pungens
Flowering Plants
Leymus racemosus
Flowering Plants
Medicago marina
Flowering Plants
Atriplex prostrata
Flowering Plants
Euphorbia paralias
Flowering Plants
Cyperus capitatus
Flowering Plants
Cynodon dactylon
Constant species occur frequently in the habitat, but they may include generalist species that are also frequent in other habitats.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Cakile maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Salsola kali | Fishes | |
| Xanthium orientale | Flowering Plants | |
| Euphorbia peplis | Flowering Plants | |
| Eryngium maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Polygonum maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Sporobolus pungens | Flowering Plants | |
| Leymus racemosus | Flowering Plants | |
| Medicago marina | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex prostrata | Flowering Plants | |
| Euphorbia paralias | Flowering Plants | |
| Cyperus capitatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Cynodon dactylon | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Cakile maritima
Fishes
Salsola kali
Flowering Plants
Sporobolus pungens
Dominant species are those that often reach high cover in the habitat, thus determining the habitat physiognomy.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Cakile maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Salsola kali | Fishes | |
| Sporobolus pungens | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.1 | Sand beach driftlines | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.2 | Sand beaches above the driftline | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | B1.1b | Mediterranean and Black Sea sand beach | same |
