Polychaete/bivalve-dominated muddy sand shores
Description (English)
Muddy sand or fine sand, often occurring as extensive intertidal flats on open coasts and in marine inlets. The sediment generally remains water-saturated during low water. The habitat may be subject to variable salinity conditions in marine inlets. An anoxic layer may be present below 5 cm of the sediment surface, sometimes seen in the worm casts on the surface. The infauna consists of a diverse range of amphipods, polychaetes, bivalves and gastropods.
Situation: Muddy sand communities are found predominantly on the mid and lower shore, though they may span the entire intertidal. Fine sand or mobile sand communities may be present on the upper shore with muddy sand communities present lower down. In sheltered mid estuarine conditions, muddy sand communities may be present on the upper part of the shore with mid estuarine muddy shore communities (A2.31) lower down.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A2.24 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A2.2) |
| Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Legal status
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 | Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide | 1140 | Narrower | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LS.LSa.MuSa | Polychaete/bivalve-dominated muddy sand shores | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.24 | Polychaete/bivalve-dominated muddy sand shores | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.25 | Polychaete/bivalve-dominated muddy sand shores | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.25 | Muddy sand shores | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.22 | Muddy sand shores | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.21 | Muddy sand shores with communities of molluscs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A2.21 | Muddy sand shores with communities of molluscs | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LMS.MS | Muddy sand shores | same |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | LMS.AreBv | narrower |
