Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune grassland (grey dune)
Description (English)
Grasslands that develop on the stabilised sands of older (grey) dunes along the Atlantic (southern to middle Portugal), North Sea and Baltic coasts. The sandy substrate, thinly enriched with accumulating humus, is well-drained and can dry out during summer. Typically with a more or less complete cover of (relatively low) grasses, herbs, bryophytes and lichens, sometimes with low shrubs, they comprise one of the most species-rich habitats on the temperate European coast. The flora can vary with the regional climate, with the character of the substrate, from acid to highly calcareous, and with the local dune topography. Individual dune systems can vary from narrow strips to enormous stretches, though most are not a dynamic stage in succession, but maintained in a more or less stable fixed state. They were often grazed or mown in the past, and missing dune fixation prevented the development of dense, tall grasslands as well as scrub and woodland. The habitat is threatened in most countries by the abandonment of traditional farming, by eutrophication through nitrogen deposition, overuse and urbanisation, often related to tourism.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code N15 |
---|---|
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
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 |
---|---|---|
Carex arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Malcolmia littorea | Flowering Plants | |
Corynephorus canescens | Flowering Plants | |
Phleum arenarium | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca polesica | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia portlandica | Flowering Plants | |
Armeria welwitschii | Flowering Plants | |
Galium arenarium | Flowering Plants | |
Ammophila arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Iberis procumbens | Flowering Plants | |
Verbascum litigiosum | Flowering Plants | |
Anchusa calcarea | Flowering Plants | |
Thymus carnosus | Flowering Plants | |
Linaria caesia | Flowering Plants | |
Reichardia gaditana | Flowering Plants |
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 |
---|---|---|
Carex arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Corynephorus canescens | Flowering Plants | |
Ammophila arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
Sedum acre | Flowering Plants | |
Jasione montana | Flowering Plants | |
Hieracium umbellatum | Flowering Plants | |
Artemisia campestris | Flowering Plants | |
Hypochaeris radicata | Flowering Plants | |
Syntrichia ruralis | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Rumex acetosella | Flowering Plants | |
Hypnum cupressiforme | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Galium verum | Flowering Plants | |
Calamagrostis epigejos | Flowering Plants | |
Phleum arenarium | Flowering Plants | |
Ceratodon purpureus | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Leontodon saxatilis | Flowering Plants | |
Cerastium semidecandrum | Flowering Plants | |
Plantago lanceolata | Flowering Plants |
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 |
---|---|---|
Syntrichia ruralis | Mosses & Liverworts | |
Carex arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Corynephorus canescens | Flowering Plants | |
Calamagrostis epigejos | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B1.4 | Coastal stable dune grassland (grey dunes) | narrower |
European Red List of Habitats | B1.9 | Machair | overlap |
European Red List of Habitats | B1.4a | Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune grassland (grey dune) | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | B1.4 | Coastal stable dune grassland (grey dunes) | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | B1.4 | Coastal stable dune grassland (grey dunes) | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | B1.4 | Coastal stable dune grassland (grey dunes) | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | B1.4 | Coastal stable dune grassland (grey dunes) | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | B1.4 | Coastal stable dune grassland (grey dunes) | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | B5.32 | Grey dunes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 16.22 | Grey dunes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 16.22 | Grey dunes | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 16.22 | same | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 16.22 | same | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 16.22 | same | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 16.22 | same |