Vegetation
A covering of the short, regular shoots of Honckenya peploides is the key diagnostic of this community. Often there is some sparse growth of Elytrigia juncea and frequently some Tripleurospermum maritimum. Occasionally one will find Rumex crispus, Eryngium maritimum, Atriplex prostrata or Festuca rubra. A range of other species are less frequently found here. Mean maximum vegetation height = 29.8 cm, n = 11.
Ecology
The Honckenya peploides – Eryngium maritimum community is found along sandy or shingly driftlines of the high water mark and on shingle banks. Mean altitude = 1.7 m, n = 10; mean extent of bare sand/shingle = 50.5%, n = 10.
Sub-communities
No sub-communities are described.
Similar communities
The abundance of Honckenya peploides serves to distinguish this community from other strandline types.
Conservation value
Where this rather low diversity vegetation (species/4 m2 = 7.1, n = 34) occurs along sandy or shingly driftlines, it corresponds with EU HD Annex I habitat 1210 Drift lines. Where it occurs on elevated ridges or banks of shingle above the high tide mark, it instead corresponds with habitat 1220 Vegetated shingle. It supports the rare species Otanthus maritimus.
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.