The coasts of Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) form a 770-mile (700 km) stretch with highly contrasted morphologies and communities of plants adapted to salty environments. The maritime cakilier (Cakile maritima), also known as the maritime shell or sea rocket, and the sand quackgrass (Elytrigia juncea) form the first obstacle stopping the sand pushed by the wind from the beach. Their disappearance would endanger the entire dune area, which would not survive direct contact with the sea. Along with the sand rye or large oyat, these plants are interdependent and contribute to the maintenance of the dunes.