SM3A Plantago maritima – Armeria maritima saltmarsh
Vegetation
This is a community of typically fairly short vegetation dominated by Plantago maritima with the pink heads of Armeria maritima scattered throughout (mean maximum vegetation height = 34.2 cm, n = 35). The other constant species are Aster tripolium and Triglochin maritimum. Frequently growing with these plants is Glaux maritima. Occasionally, some Limonium humile, Puccinellia maritima, Cochlearia officinalis, Festuca rubra, Juncus gerardii or Spergularia media can be spotted.
Ecology
This is a middle marsh community that is occasionally inundated. Conditions are circumneutral (mean pH = 6.8, n = 35).
Sub-communities
No sub-communities have been described for this community
Similar communities
This community is sister to SM3B and quite similar. Here, however, Puccinellia maritima is only occasional and does not dominate. From most other saltmarsh communities, the abundance of Plantago maritima differentiates.
Conservation value
Almost all examples of this vegetation qualify as EU HD Annex I habitat 1330 Atlantic salt meadows. It is typically a medium richness saltmarsh community (species/4 m2 = 6.7, n = 176) and the species that are present are specialists.
Management
The main immediate threat to this saltmarsh community is probably grazing by livestock. Sea-level rises as a result of climate change will have an impact, particularly in areas susceptible to coastal squeeze.