EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > N - Coastal habitats > N1 - Coastal dunes and sandy shores > N16 - Mediterranean and Macaronesian coastal dune grassland (grey dune)

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)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants 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

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
Flowering Plants 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

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
Flowering Plants Crucianella maritima

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

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
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100