Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes

English name: Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes

Description (English)

Mud, often consolidated with coarse sand or gravel, on the extreme upper shore with Salicornia spp. plants forming a pioneer saltmarsh community. This habitat typically occurs in very sheltered estuarine conditions. Usually a reduced marine fauna is present which may include the amphipod Corophium volutator, the ragworm Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor and often the mud snail Hydrobia ulvae. The fucoid alga Pelvetia canaliculata may be found on hard substrata, consolidated mud or lying unattached. This community is equivalent to saltmarsh community SM8 in the British National Vegetation Classification.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code A2.5513
Bern Convention Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A2.5)

Vegetation types

Species mentioned in habitat description

Other classifications

History

European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100