Vegetation
These are coarse swards dominated by very dense, glaucous growth of Elytrigia atherica. There are no other constant species and the only frequent plant is Festuca rubra. Mixed in one will occasionally find small amounts of Aster tripolium, Atriplex prostrata and Agrostis stolonifera. Some care must be taken during identification as it is also not unusual to find some stems of Elytrigia repens amongst the sward.
Ecology
This sward is to be found on fertile soils at the very top of saltmarshes, along the sides of large creeks and around lagoons. These sites are usually ungrazed and soil conditions are base-rich.
Sub-communities
No sub-communities have been described for this community.
Similar communities
Elytrigia atherica occurs rarely in the SM7A Elytrigia repens saltmarsh but does not dominate; SM7B may co-occur with SM7A but forms slightly lower in the tidal frame.
Conservation value
Although they are off low plant diversity (species/4 m2 = 3.6, n = 17), these swards constitute part of the spectrum of communities within the EU HD Annex I habitat 1330 Atlantic salt meadows.
Management
These are ungrazed swards that are likely to be replaced by other saltmarsh communities following the introduction of livestock. Sea-level rises as a result of climate change will have an impact, particularly in areas susceptible to coastal squeeze. As they occur at the very top of the saltmarsh profile, they are vulnerable to reclamation.