Formations of the coasts of nemoral, steppe, Mediterranean and warm-temperate humid zones, representing the first stages of dune construction, constituted by ripples or raised sand surfaces of the upper beach or by a seaward fringe at the foot of the tall dunes. Typically Elymus farctus, Otanthus maritimus, Sporobolus pungens, Pancratium maritimum, Medicago marina or Anthemis tomentosa may be present.
The vegetation may belong to the class Ammophiletea with communities of Otanthus maritimus, Agropyro juncei-Sporoboletum pungentis, Cypero mucronati-Agropyretum juncei, Elymetum sabulosi, Medicagini marinae-Ammophiletum australis and species Elytrigia bessarabica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Limonium graecum, Limonium sinuatum, Zygophyllum album, Inula crithmoides, Scirpus holoschoenus, Paronychia argentea and Centaurea spinosa.