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  4. N1-5 - Pelouses des dunes côtières fixées (dunes grises) de l'Atlantique et de la Baltique
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N1-5 - Pelouses des dunes côtières fixées (dunes grises) de l'Atlantique et de la Baltique

Atlantic and Baltic coastal dune grassland (grey dune)
N1-4 - Dunes côtières mobiles de la Méditerranée, de la Macaronésie et de la mer Noire
N1-6 - Pelouses des dunes côtières fixées (dunes grises) de la Méditerranée et de la Macaronésie

Classification des habitats EUNIS 2022

Descriptif de l'habitat

Grasslands that develop on the stabilised sands of older (grey) dunes along the Atlantic (southern to middle Portugal), North Sea and Baltic coasts. The sandy substrate, thinly enriched with accumulating humus, is well-drained and can dry out during summer. Typically with a more or less complete cover of (relatively low) grasses, herbs, bryophytes and lichens, sometimes with low shrubs, they comprise one of the most species-rich habitats on the temperate European coast. The flora can vary with the regional climate, with the character of the substrate, from acid to highly calcareous, and with the local dune topography. Individual dune systems can vary from narrow strips to enormous stretches, though most are not a dynamic stage in succession, but maintained in a more or less stable fixed state. They were often grazed or mown in the past, and missing dune fixation prevented the development of dense, tall grasslands as well as scrub and woodland. The habitat is threatened in most countries by the abandonment of traditional farming, by eutrophication through nitrogen deposition, overuse and urbanisation, often related to tourism.

Espèces diagnostiques

Carex arenaria, Malcolmia littorea, Corynephorus canescens, Phleum arenarium, Festuca polesica, Euphorbia portlandica, Armeria welwitschii, Galium arenarium, Ammophila arenaria, Iberis procumbens, Verbascum litigiosum, Anchusa calcarea, Thymus carnosus, Linaria caesia, Reichardia gaditana

Espèces constantes

Carex arenaria, Corynephorus canescens, Ammophila arenaria, Festuca rubra aggr., Sedum acre, Jasione montana, Hieracium umbellatum, Artemisia campestris, Hypochaeris radicata, Syntrichia ruralis aggr., Rumex acetosella, Hypnum cupressiforme aggr., Galium verum, Calamagrostis epigejos, Phleum arenarium, Ceratodon purpureus, Leontodon saxatilis, Cetraria aculeata, Cerastium semidecandrum, Plantago lanceolata

Espèces dominantes

Syntrichia ruralis aggr., Carex arenaria, Corynephorus canescens, Calamagrostis epigejos

Bibliography

 European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity, 2021. EUNIS terrestrial habitat classification 2021 including crosswalks. ETC/BD-EEA. Table Excel transmise par S. Hennekens (Alterra) le 14/02/2022. (Source)