Scientific name	Atriplex prostrata – Tripleurospermum  maritimum strandline community
Common name	Spear-leaved Orache – Sea Mayweed strandline community
Community code	ST1A

 

   

Download full pdf synopsis: ST1A

 

Vegetation

This strandline community is typically dominated by Atriplex prostrata frequently accompanied by the white and yellow flowers of Tripleurospermum maritimum. Other species are only occasional but include Honckenya peploides, Cakile maritima, Beta vulgaris and Rumex crispus.

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.

 

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 species-poor vegetation 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.