Action plan for the habitat type 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes in the mediterranean biogeographical region

Mediterranean coastal dunes harbour some of the most threatened habitats in Europe. Recent studies indicate the disappearance of c. 25% of their historical distribution, with substantial losses in associates species. This suggests that
intense degradation processes are occurring in coastal dune habitats, particularly on the upper beach and on shifting dunes (Sperandii, 2020). Like other coastal environments, coastal dunes and beaches are at the receiving end of most
touristic and recreational-related human activities along the coast (Cooper and McKenna, 2009). Urbanization and increasing coastal population densities are limiting their mobility and leading to issues such as ecosystem degradation, coastal erosion and coastal squeeze, among other impacts
(Esteves, 2014; Harris et al., 2015; Lithgow et al., 2019). Inappropriate management of human activities has led to coastal ecosystems degradation, loss and fragmentation (Defeo et al., 2009; Cooper et al., 2009). However, science based management that incorporates understanding of the system’s dynamics can lead to the preservation of both the
function and biodiversity of dynamic coastal environments such as coastal dunes (Davidson-Arnott and Bauer, 2021).
The overall aim of the action plan is to promote the necessary actions to achieve favourable conservation status of the habitat type in the biogeographical region.