DU3A Salix repens – Lotus corniculatus duneland
Vegetation
The silvery leaves and scrambling stems of Salix repens are the dominant feature of this duneland community. It is accompanied by the constant graminoids Festuca rubra and Carex flacca. Agrostis stolonifera, Carex arenaria and Poa pratensis/humilis are frequent here. Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium repens usually provide the majority of the forb cover. On damper soils, Holcus lanatus, Hydrocotyle vulgaris or Carex nigra may be found. Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Scleropodium purum and Calliergonella cuspidata are all frequent in the moss layer. Mean maximum vegetation height = 51.5 cm, n = 19.
Ecology
This community typically occurs towards the rear of coastal duneland systems, around the margins of dune slacks where it is seasonally inundated. It may also occur on adjacent dune ridges and less frequently within the dune slack basin. Mean altitude = 9.8 m, n = 16; mean extent of bare sand/soil = 1.9%, n = 16.
Sub-communities
No sub-communities are described.
Similar communities
The abundance of Salix repens marks this community out from most others. However, this shrub is frequent and can be abundant in DU3B Agrostis stolonifera – Calliergonella cuspidata – Carex arenaria duneland. That community, however, occurs lower down within dune slacks where species indicative of regular inundation, such as Potentilla anserina, Hydrocotyle vulgaris and Mentha aquatica, occur more regularly. Less often, Salix repens occurs in DU3D.
Conservation value
Where Salix repens is present, this vegetation usually corresponds with EU HD Annex I habitat 2170 Dunes with creeping willow. Some instances from within dune slack basins, where there is a greater preponderance of wet-loving species, may correspond to habitat 2190 Dune slacks. Species/4 m2 = 19.2, n = 61.
Management
This duneland is often grazed by livestock and overgrazing can be a problem as can intensification of agricultural practices.