Estuaries
Description (English)
Downstream part of a river valley, subject to the tide and extending from the limit of brackish waters. River estuaries are coastal inlets where there is generally a substantial freshwater influence. The mixing of freshwater and sea water and the reduced current flows in the shelter of the estuary lead to deposition of fine sediments, often forming extensive intertidal sand and mud flats. In addition to herbs, they can also be colonised by shrubs creating thickets (e.g. Tamarix spp.). Where the tidal currents are faster than flood tides, most sediments deposit to form a delta at the mouth of the estuary. Baltic river mouths, considered as an estuary subtype, have brackish water and no tide, with helophytic wetland vegetation and luxurious aquatic vegetation in shallow water areas. Littoral and sublittoral habitat types typical of estuaries are included in A2 and A5, although many other habitat types including tidal rivers may occur in estuaries. Includes Transitional waters as defined by the Water Framework Directive.
Source:
EUNIS habitat classification
Interpretation Manual of the habitats targeted by Resolution No. 4
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code X01 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Legal status
Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Legal text | Annex | Name in legal text | Code in legal text |
Habitat type relationship |
More information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Estuaries | 1130 | Same | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 13.2 | Estuaries | same |
CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.2. | Estuaries | n/a |
Ramsar Wetland Types | F | Estuarine waters | not defined |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | X01 | Estuaries | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | X01 | Estuaries | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | X01 | Estuaries | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | X01 | Estuaries | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | X01 | Estuaries | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | X01 | Estuaries | same |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 13.2 | Estuaries | same |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 13.2 | Estuaries | same |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 13.2 | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 13.2 | same | |
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 13.2 | same | |
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 13.2 | same |