Mediterranean and Macaronesian coastal dune grassland (grey dune)
Description (English)
Stable (grey) dunes of fixed sands along the Mediterranean and Macaronesian coasts, and of the thermo-Atlantic coasts of Portugal, southwestern Spain and North Africa inland from wind erosion and salt deposition. They have a more or less complete cover of graminoids and herbs, often with a contingent of colourful spring annuals capitalising on early rains. The flora varies according to regional climate and dune topography. They may represent a temporary phase, giving way to evergreen sclerophyll scrub and woodland, or may form more permanent grassland at sites not suitable for shrubland. Through much of the Mediterranean, the habitat has been destroyed, contaminated by the invasion of non-native species or is much influenced by tourism, urbanisation, infrastructure development, arable cultivation, nitrogen deposition and afforestation.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code N16 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Vulpia fasciculata | Flowering Plants | |
Medicago marina | Flowering Plants | |
Pseudorlaya pumila | Flowering Plants | |
Medicago littoralis | Flowering Plants | |
Cyperus capitatus | Flowering Plants | |
Malcolmia ramosissima | Flowering Plants | |
Pancratium maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
Erodium laciniatum | Flowering Plants | |
Lagurus ovatus | Flowering Plants | |
Crucianella maritima | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia terracina | Flowering Plants | |
Silene colorata | Flowering Plants | |
Cutandia maritima | Flowering Plants | |
Eryngium maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
Ononis variegata | Flowering Plants | |
Echinophora spinosa | Flowering Plants | |
Lotus cytisoides | 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 |
---|---|---|
Medicago marina | Flowering Plants | |
Eryngium maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
Pancratium maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
Lagurus ovatus | Flowering Plants | |
Vulpia fasciculata | Flowering Plants | |
Medicago littoralis | Flowering Plants | |
Cyperus capitatus | Flowering Plants | |
Lotus cytisoides | Flowering Plants | |
Silene colorata | Flowering Plants | |
Ammophila arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
Sporobolus pungens | Flowering Plants | |
Crucianella maritima | Flowering Plants | |
Cakile maritima | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia terracina | Flowering Plants | |
Pseudorlaya pumila | Flowering Plants | |
Helichrysum stoechas | Flowering Plants | |
Echinophora spinosa | Flowering Plants | |
Euphorbia paralias | Flowering Plants | |
Cutandia maritima | 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 |
---|---|---|
Crucianella maritima | 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 | B1.4b | Mediterranean and Macaronesian 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 |