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 | 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
Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants
Leymus arenarius
Flowering Plants
Elytrigia juncea
Flowering Plants
Calystegia soldanella
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 | |
| Elytrigia juncea | Flowering Plants | |
| Calystegia soldanella | Flowering Plants | |
| Euphorbia paralias | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants
Elytrigia juncea
Flowering Plants
Leymus arenarius
Flowering Plants
Festuca rubra
Flowering Plants
Eryngium maritimum
Flowering Plants
Calystegia soldanella
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 | |
| Elytrigia juncea | Flowering Plants | |
| Leymus arenarius | Flowering Plants | |
| Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
| Eryngium maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Calystegia soldanella | Flowering Plants | |
| Euphorbia paralias | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
| Cakile maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Sonchus arvensis | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants
Elytrigia juncea
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 | |
| Elytrigia juncea | Flowering Plants | |
| Leymus arenarius | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.311 | Atlantic embryonic dunes | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.31 | Embryonic shifting dunes | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.321 | Atlantic white dunes | wider |
| European Red List of Habitats | B1.3a | Atlantic and Baltic shifting coastal dune | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | B1.311 | Atlantic embryonic dunes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | B1.31 | Embryonic shifting dunes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | B1.321 | Atlantic white dunes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | B1.311 | Atlantic embryonic 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 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 |
