Mediterranean coniferous coastal dune woodland

Dune woods develop naturally where coastal sands become sufficiently stabilised and remote from the influence of saline ground water or spray to sustain a permanent cover of trees and they bear a strong resemblance to the zonal woodland type(s) of the particular regional climate. Within the Mediterranean zone, on the coasts of Cyprus, Albania, Italy, Spain and the Atlantic coast of Portugal, various pine dominate the vegetation landscape, similar to G3.7 Mediterranean lowland to sub-montane Pinus woodland. The commonest trees in the western Mediterranean are Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster and Pinus halepensis and in the east Pinus brutia. The first three are also widely planted on stable coastal sands in the Mediterranean and long-established plantations with natural undergrowth (like in the equivalent Annex 1 habitat type 2270 Wooded dunes with Pinus pinea and/or Pinus pinaster) are included in this habitat type. Associated woody species include Phillyrea angustifolia, Rhamnus oleoides, Pistacia lentiscus, Olea europaea var. sylvestris, Tamarix gallica and Tamarix africana, with Juniperus macrocarpa, Juniperus phoenicea and Juniperus oxycedrus in Spain and Portugal. Where such shrubs exceed the cover of pines, the vegetation is included in B1.6b Mediterranean and Black Sea coastal dune scrub.

Indicators of quality:

• Absence of planted native or introduced pines or other forestry trees such as Eucalyptus
• Presence of uneven aged pine canopy with subordinate shrub layer
• Presence of typical associated flora without weeds
• Lack of disturbance from coastal tourism

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats