Embryonic shifting dunes

English name: Embryonic shifting dunes

Description (English)

Formations of the coasts of nemoral, steppe, Mediterranean and warm-temperate humid zones, representing the first stages of dune construction, constituted by ripples or raised sand surfaces of the upper beach or by a seaward fringe at the foot of the tall dunes. Typically Elymus farctus, Otanthus maritimus, Sporobolus pungens, Pancratium maritimum, Medicago marina or Anthemis tomentosa may be present.
The vegetation may belong to the class Ammophiletea with communities of Otanthus maritimus, Agropyro juncei-Sporoboletum pungentis, Cypero mucronati-Agropyretum juncei, Elymetum sabulosi, Medicagini marinae-Ammophiletum australis and species Elytrigia bessarabica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Limonium graecum, Limonium sinuatum, Zygophyllum album, Inula crithmoides, Scirpus holoschoenus, Paronychia argentea and Centaurea spinosa.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code B1.31
Bern Convention Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (B1.3)
Relation to Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Flowering Plants Anthemis tomentosa
Flowering Plants Elymus farctus
Flowering Plants Glycyrrhiza glabra
Flowering Plants Inula crithmoides
Flowering Plants Limonium sinuatum
Flowering Plants Medicago marina
Flowering Plants Otanthus maritimus
Flowering Plants Pancratium maritimum
Flowering Plants Scirpus holoschoenus
Flowering Plants Sporobolus pungens
Flowering Plants Zygophyllum album
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Anthemis tomentosa Flowering Plants
Elymus farctus Flowering Plants
Glycyrrhiza glabra Flowering Plants
Inula crithmoides Flowering Plants
Limonium sinuatum Flowering Plants
Medicago marina Flowering Plants
Otanthus maritimus Flowering Plants
Pancratium maritimum Flowering Plants
Scirpus holoschoenus Flowering Plants
Sporobolus pungens Flowering Plants
Zygophyllum album Flowering Plants

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 16.211 Embryonic dunes source
CORINE Land Cover 3.3.1. Beaches, dunes, and sand plains n/a
HELCOM Baltic Sea Marine and Coastal Biotopes 1998 03.04.01 Coastal dunes: fore dunes same
Nordic Vegetation Classification 1994 4.1.2.1 Sand Couch grass type n/a
National Vegetation Classification (UK) SD4 Elymus farctus ssp. boreali-atlanticus foredune community narrower
National Vegetation Classification (UK) SD5 Leymus arenarius mobile dune community narrower
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 B1.31 Embryonic shifting dunes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 16.211 Embryonic dunes same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 16.211 Embryonic dunes same
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