EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > N - Coastal habitats > N1 - Coastal dunes and sandy shores > N13 - Atlantic and Baltic shifting coastal dune

Atlantic and Baltic shifting coastal dune

Description (English)

Primary, shifting (so-called 'white') dunes of dynamic coastal sands along the Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic coasts. Early pioneers upshore from the strandline catch sand blown from the beach and initiate foredune, then embryo dune, development stages. They may come and go with subsequent storms, or continue to build higher, mobile dunes that move inland, sometimes to enormous size and in distinct ridges with intervening valleys. Ammophila arenaria is the widespread dominant in the middle to later stages. This grass is especially well-equipped to cope with rapid upbuild and continually shifting sands. Leymus arenarius and

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code N13
Relation to Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants Leymus arenarius
Flowering Plants Euphorbia paralias

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
Ammophila arenaria Flowering Plants
Leymus arenarius Flowering Plants
Euphorbia paralias Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants Leymus arenarius
Flowering Plants Festuca rubra
Flowering Plants Eryngium maritimum
Flowering Plants Euphorbia paralias
Flowering Plants Carex arenaria
Flowering Plants Cakile maritima
Flowering Plants Sonchus arvensis

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
Ammophila arenaria Flowering Plants
Leymus arenarius Flowering Plants
Festuca rubra Flowering Plants
Eryngium maritimum Flowering Plants
Euphorbia paralias Flowering Plants
Carex arenaria Flowering Plants
Cakile maritima Flowering Plants
Sonchus arvensis Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants Leymus arenarius

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
Ammophila arenaria Flowering Plants
Leymus arenarius Flowering Plants

Please note that a maximum of 20 species of each indicator category is shown.

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 B1.321 Atlantic white dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 B1.311 Atlantic embryonic dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 B1.321 Atlantic white dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 B1.311 Atlantic embryonic dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 16.211 Embryonic dunes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 16.211 Embryonic dunes same
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