Vegetation
This strandline community is typically dominated by Atriplex prostrata usually accompanied by the white and yellow flowers of Tripleurospermum maritimum. Other species are only occasional but include Honckenya peploides, Agrostis stolonifera, Beta vulgaris and Rumex crispus. Mean maximum vegetation height = 35.5 cm, n = 4.
Ecology
This is an assemblage of drift lines along the high tide mark on sandy or shingly beaches and similar vegetation also occurs at the landward margin of saltmarshes and on shingle banks. Mean altitude = 1.3 m, n = 7; mean extent of bare sand/shingle = 60.0%, n = 7.
Sub-communities
No sub-communities are described.
Similar communities
The abundance of Atriplex prostrata serves to distinguish this community from other strandline types.
Conservation value
Most examples of this low diversity vegetation (species/4 m2 = 5.4, n = 19) correspond to EU HD Annex I habitat 1210 Drift lines, some, occurring on shingle banks, correspond to habitat 1220 Vegetated shingle.
Management
This is unstable and dynamic habitat that does not require active management. It is threatened however by recreational pressure, mechanical beach cleaning and the creation of coastal defences which can interfere with sediment dynamics.