SM5B Juncus maritimus – Plantago maritima saltmarsh
Vegetation
In this community, high, spiky tussocks of Juncus maritimus dominate and other species tend not to contribute much cover (mean maximum vegetation height = 77.0 cm, n = 6). Plantago maritima, Glaux maritima and Agrostis stolonifera are constant species, however. Armeria maritima is frequently found growing between the tussocks, as are Juncus gerardii and Aster tripolium. Occasional plants are Cochlearia officinalis, Festuca rubra, Triglochin maritimum and Leontodon autumnalis.
Ecology
This is an upper marsh community that is infrequently inundated. Conditions are circumneutral (mean pH = 7.1, n = 6).
Sub-communities
No sub-communities have been described for this community.
Similar communities
In community SM5A, Festuca rubra co-dominates with Juncus maritimus. From all other communities, this community vegetation is pretty distinct.
Conservation value
Almost all examples of this vegetation qualify as EU HD Annex I habitat 1410 Mediterranean salt meadows. It is typically a medium richness saltmarsh community (species/4 m2 = 7.1, n = 204) and many of the species that it supports 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.