EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > N - Coastal habitats > N1 - Coastal dunes and sandy shores > N14 - Mediterranean, Macaronesian and Black Sea shifting coastal dune

Mediterranean, Macaronesian and Black Sea shifting coastal dune

Description (English)

Primary, shifting ('white') dunes of dynamic coastal sands around the Black and Mediterranean Seas, and into the Atlantic around SW Iberia and Macaronesia. Early pioneers upshore from the strandline catch sand blown from the beach and initiate embryo dune development. These may come and go with subsequent storms, or continue to build higher mobile white dunes that move inland. Except in Macaronesia, the dominant plant in the middle to later stages is Ammophila arenaria (subsp. arundinacea in the Mediterranean), and the associated flora on the permeable, impoverished sands is limited and sparse.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code N14
Relation to Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants Echinophora spinosa
Flowering Plants Medicago marina
Flowering Plants Eryngium maritimum
Flowering Plants Euphorbia paralias
Flowering Plants Cyperus capitatus
Flowering Plants Cutandia maritima
Flowering Plants Sporobolus pungens
Flowering Plants Pancratium maritimum
Flowering Plants Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants Cakile maritima
Flowering Plants Anthemis maritima

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
Echinophora spinosa Flowering Plants
Medicago marina Flowering Plants
Eryngium maritimum Flowering Plants
Euphorbia paralias Flowering Plants
Cyperus capitatus Flowering Plants
Cutandia maritima Flowering Plants
Sporobolus pungens Flowering Plants
Pancratium maritimum Flowering Plants
Ammophila arenaria Flowering Plants
Cakile maritima Flowering Plants
Anthemis maritima Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Eryngium maritimum
Flowering Plants Medicago marina
Flowering Plants Ammophila arenaria
Flowering Plants Euphorbia paralias
Flowering Plants Cakile maritima
Flowering Plants Pancratium maritimum
Flowering Plants Echinophora spinosa
Flowering Plants Cyperus capitatus
Flowering Plants Sporobolus pungens
Flowering Plants Cutandia maritima
Flowering Plants Polygonum maritimum
Fishes Salsola kali
Flowering Plants Euphorbia peplis
Flowering Plants Anthemis maritima

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
Eryngium maritimum Flowering Plants
Medicago marina Flowering Plants
Ammophila arenaria Flowering Plants
Euphorbia paralias Flowering Plants
Cakile maritima Flowering Plants
Pancratium maritimum Flowering Plants
Echinophora spinosa Flowering Plants
Cyperus capitatus Flowering Plants
Sporobolus pungens Flowering Plants
Cutandia maritima Flowering Plants
Polygonum maritimum Flowering Plants
Salsola kali Fishes
Euphorbia peplis Flowering Plants
Anthemis maritima Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Ammophila arenaria

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

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) B1.3 Shifting coastal dunes narrower
European Red List of Habitats B1.3b Mediterranean and Black Sea shifting coastal dune same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 B1.3 Shifting coastal dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 B1.3 Shifting coastal dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 B1.3 Shifting coastal dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 B1.3 Shifting coastal dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 B1.3 Shifting coastal dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 B5.31 Shifting coastal dunes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 16.21 Shifting dunes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 16.21 Shifting dunes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 16.21   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 16.21   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 16.21   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 16.21   same
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100