Southern Baltic coastal biodiversity – dune habitat restoration and development of good management practices

2026-07-22

The conservation status of coastal dune habitats of the southern Baltic coast, as well as throughout Continental and Boreal biogeographical regions is generally poor (U2) and further deteriorating. It is expected that due to increasing anthropopressure, climate change and governmental focus on sea defence objectives, this condition will continue to deteriorate. Considering the above factors, and also observing the spread of alien plant species which change the structure of white and grey dune plant communities, there is serious concern that the resources of those habitats will be severely limited in the future. The LIFE for Dunes PL project’s main objective is to prevent the loss of biodiversity typical of coastal areas, mainly within selected sections of the coast that are protected under the Natura 2000 programme in Poland, Germany and Lithuania. The project is aimed at improving the conservation status of two priority habitats: 2130* Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation and 2140* Decalcified fixed dunes with Empetrum nigrum. However, since actions on selected habitats, without taking into account the removal of threats to adjacent and spatially dependent habitats, would not produce long-term effects, the project also includes restoration activities within non-priority habitats: 2110 Embryonic shifting dunes, 2120 Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria, 2190 Humid dune slacks. The main goal will be achieved through the use of restoration treatments, through dissemination of project results among people responsible for managing the sea shore zone and by raising public awareness of the specificity, threats and methods of protecting coastal dune habitats through educational and informational activities which will cover at least 100 thousands of inhabitants and tourists. In addition, we want to prepare tools for further protection of dune habitats on the 242 km long Baltic coast, and ultimately the entire southern Baltic coast.

Poland, Germany, Lithuania

2026-03-01