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Contiguous Habitats

In the planned interventions in this project are also expected to favour the following contiguous habitats:

Habitat 2130*

Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (‘grey dunes’). This is part of the so-called grey dunes, a very rich habitat from a floristic point of view. According to Martins (2016), the grey dunes have suffered a decline in area over the last two decades in Portugal and their conservation status along the Portuguese coast varies between reasonable and poor (ALFA, 2004). From a phytosociological point of view, they are part of Artemisio crithmifoliae-Armerietum pungentes, which is native to the south of the Tagus river. Amongst this community, in places that are better preserved from trampling, there are abundant mats of lichens, mainly belonging to the Cladonia genus. In spring, in a mosaic with the cameophytic and lichenic vegetation, communities of annual plants appear, which are also important from a floristic point of view. Some plants (e.g. Thymus carnosus, Herniaria maritima and Armeria pungens), which appear on grey dunes, are endemic or have a very restricted distribution. Assessed as being in Unfavourable-Inadequate condition, with a downward trend in the Portuguese Mediterranean.

Habitat 2150*

Atlantic decalcified fixed dunes (Calluno-Ulicetea). Habitat that includes the Ulex australis subsp. welwitschianus shrubland, a Portuguese endemism present in fixed dunes (palaeodunes), on acid, hydric and podzolised substrates and constitutes a relict community that reached its optimum in the Atlantic period (Quaternary) (Neto, 2002). Assessed as being in an Unfavourable-Bad state, with a downward trend in the Portuguese Mediterranean.

Habitat 2260

Cisto-Lavenduletalia dune sclerophyllous scrubs. Includes the communities of Stauracanthus genistoides and Stauracanthus spectabilis, often in a poor state of conservation due to human pressure. These are typical formations of psammitic regosols of stabilised inland dunes, the result of anthropogenic degradation (agriculture and forestry) of Juniperus navicularis communities and potential cork oaks on sands (Neto, 2002; Capelo, 2007). Scrublands characterised by the frequent presence of Thymus capitellatus, an endemism of southern Portugal, as well as the presence of other thermophilic, heliophytic and xerophytic species, such as Armeria rouyana, Armeria pinifolia, Halimium halimifolium, Lavandula sampaioana subsp. lusitanica and Halimium calycinum (Neto, 2002). Both Stauracanthus spectabilis and Thymus camphoratus, which form part of these communities, are endemic species to the south coast of Portugal, which makes this community even more relevant for conservation. Assessed as being in Unfavourable-inadequate condition, with a downward trend in the Portuguese Mediterranean.

Habitat 2230

Malcolmietalia dune grasslands. Dunes with annual psammophilous vegetation, pioneer, that is a refuge for several important rare or endemic annual species (Linaria bipunctata subsp. glutinosa, Herniaria algarvica, Herniaria maritima and Ononis hackelii). Due to its ecological requirements, it is an uncommon habitat in Portugal, although locally it is abundant. It is a habitat of increased value due to the number of rare and important species in terms of conservation, including species of community interest. Assessed as unfavourable-inadequate, with a downward trend in the Mediterranean. However, it is rated Favourable, with a stable trend in the Portuguese Mediterranean.

Habitat 2330

Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands. Includes annual, psammophilous and pioneer plant communities. This habitat is home to several rare species such as Linaria bipunctata subsp. glutinosa, Herniaria algarvica, Herniaria maritima and Ononis hackelii. In semi-fixed dunes, the community is also characterised by the frequency of Herniaria maritima (portuguese endemism), Sedum sediforme, Iberis ciliata subsp. welwitschii (iberian endemism), Sesamoides spathulifolia and Anagallis monelli (Pinto Gomes et al., 2006). In semi-fixed dunes, they constitute a more deteriorated stage in the dynamics of Juniperus turbinata formations, while in inland dunes they are part of the dynamics of Juniperus navicularis formations or cork oaks woodlands, which are also very altered stages in their natural dynamics (Pinto Gomes et al., 2006). Assessed as being in Favourable condition, with a growing trend in the Portuguese Mediterranean.

In floristic terms, the populations of the following species listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive will be favoured:

Armeria royana

Portuguese endemism, evaluated as Near Threatened

Herniaria algarvica

Portuguese endemism, evaluated as Endangered

Avenula hackelii

Evaluated as Vulnerable

Jonopsidium acaule

Portuguese endemism

Besides these, other species that aren’t mentioned in the Directive but have been classified as threatened in the Lista vermelha da flora vascular de Portugal Continental (Carapeto et al., 2020) will be favoured:

Armeria pinifolia

Portuguese endemism, evaluated as Vulnerable

Ephera fragilis