Braunton Burrows is a sand dune system on the
North Devon coast. It is privately owned and forms part of the Christie Devon Estates Trust (see
Tapeley Park). Braunton Burrows is a prime British
sand dune site, the largest sand dune system (
psammosere) in
England. It is particularly important ecologically because it includes the complete
successional range of dune plant communities, with over 400
vascular plant species. The short turf communities are very rich in
lichens and herbs, and the dune slacks are also rich. The many rare plants and animals include 14 with
UK Biodiversity Action Plans. For example, this is one of only two sites in the UK for the Amber Sandbowl Snail
Catinella arenaria, which is found on the wet dune slacks.