Semi-desert sand dune with sparse scrub
Description (English)
Open perenhnial vegetation of halophytic shrubs, e.g. Artemisia spp., Haloxylon spp., Salsola spp. and Tamarix spp., and annuals on wind-blown drifting or stabilised dunes and sandy soils in the semi-desert region of the Caspian lowlands. If overgrazed, this habitat can change into shifting dunes (barkhans) devoid of vegetation.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code S68 |
|---|
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
Flowering Plants
Artemisia arenaria
Flowering Plants
Artemisia austriaca
Flowering Plants
Carex stenophylla
Flowering Plants
Agropyron tanaiticum
Flowering Plants
Atriplex tatarica
Flowering Plants
Tragopogon tanaiticus
Flowering Plants
Carduus uncinatus
Flowering Plants
Euphorbia esula
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Artemisia arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
| Artemisia austriaca | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex stenophylla | Flowering Plants | |
| Agropyron tanaiticum | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex tatarica | Flowering Plants | |
| Tragopogon tanaiticus | Flowering Plants | |
| Carduus uncinatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Euphorbia esula | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Artemisia austriaca
Flowering Plants
Convolvulus arvensis
Flowering Plants
Poa bulbosa
Flowering Plants
Artemisia arenaria
Flowering Plants
Polygonum aviculare
Flowering Plants
Bromus squarrosus
Flowering Plants
Atriplex tatarica
Fishes
Salsola kali
Flowering Plants
Euphorbia esula
Flowering Plants
Descurainia sophia
Flowering Plants
Carex stenophylla
Flowering Plants
Chenopodium album
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Artemisia austriaca | Flowering Plants | |
| Convolvulus arvensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Poa bulbosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Artemisia arenaria | Flowering Plants | |
| Polygonum aviculare | Flowering Plants | |
| Bromus squarrosus | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex tatarica | Flowering Plants | |
| Salsola kali | Fishes | |
| Euphorbia esula | Flowering Plants | |
| Descurainia sophia | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex stenophylla | Flowering Plants | |
| Chenopodium album | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Leymus racemosus
Flowering Plants
Artemisia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Leymus racemosus | Flowering Plants | |
| Artemisia arenaria | Flowering Plants |
