Sublittoral sand in low or reduced salinity
Description (English)
Shallow sand and muddy sand in areas of low or reduced, although relatively stable salinity (may vary annually), with largely ephemeral faunal communities. The species are often similar to that found in A5.31 and are characterised by Arenicola marina with other species, including mysids, tubificoid and enchytraeid oligochaetes, Corophium volutator, Hediste diversicolor, Pygospio elegans, Hydrobia ulvae and Cerastoderma glaucum, which commonly occur in lagoons. Filamentous green algae such as Chaetomorpha linum may also be present. In some examples of this biotope the polychaete Fabricia sabella may be super-abundant and the isopod Sphaeroma hookeri common.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.21 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A5) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Algae
Chaetomorpha linum
Invertebrates
Arenicola marina
Invertebrates
Cerastoderma glaucum
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Chaetomorpha linum | Algae | |
| Arenicola marina | Invertebrates | |
| Cerastoderma glaucum | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SSa.SSaLS | Sublittoral sand in low or reduced salinity (lagoons) | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
| HELCOM Baltic Sea Marine and Coastal Biotopes 1998 | 02.05.02 | Sandy bottoms: sublittoral euphotic zone | overlap |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.21 | Sublittoral sand in low or reduced salinity | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.24 | Animal communities in variable or reduced salinity shallow clean sands | overlap |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.26 | Animal communities in variable or reduced salinity muddy sands | overlap |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.24 | Animal communities in variable or reduced salinity shallow clean sands | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.26 | Animal communities in variable or reduced salinity muddy sands | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.27 | Animal communities in variable or reduced salinity muddy sands | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.24 | Animal communities in variable or reduced salinity shallow clean sands | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.14 | Estuarine sublittoral gravels and sands | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IGS.EstGS | Estuarine sublittoral gravels and sands | wider |
