Arctic coastal saltmarshes
Description (English)
Salt marshes along muddy and sandy intertidal shores in Arctic Europe dominated by halophytic plants with a circumpolar distribution. Stands are usually small and often occurring in a mosaic with bare sediment, as they are subject to erosion by waves and ice. Although the tidal differences are relatively low, the species composition varies according to the frequency and duration of flooding.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MA211 |
|---|---|
| Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
Flowering Plants
Stellaria humifusa
Flowering Plants
Carex subspathacea
Flowering Plants
Puccinellia phryganodes
Flowering Plants
Carex glareosa
Flowering Plants
Carex mackenziei
Flowering Plants
Primula nutans
Diagnostic species occur concentrated in the habitat in question, but are absent or rare in other habitats. They are good positive indicators of the habitat, but they do not need to occur in every location of the habitat.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Stellaria humifusa | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex subspathacea | Flowering Plants | |
| Puccinellia phryganodes | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex glareosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex mackenziei | Flowering Plants | |
| Primula nutans | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Stellaria humifusa
Flowering Plants
Carex subspathacea
Flowering Plants
Puccinellia phryganodes
Mosses & Liverworts
Sanionia uncinata
Flowering Plants
Carex glareosa
Flowering Plants
Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima
Flowering Plants
Triglochin maritima
Flowering Plants
Parnassia palustris
Flowering Plants
Carex mackenziei
Constant species occur frequently in the habitat, but they may include generalist species that are also frequent in other habitats.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Stellaria humifusa | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex subspathacea | Flowering Plants | |
| Puccinellia phryganodes | Flowering Plants | |
| Sanionia uncinata | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Carex glareosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Agrostis stolonifera | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Triglochin maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Parnassia palustris | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex mackenziei | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Carex subspathacea
Flowering Plants
Puccinellia phryganodes
Flowering Plants
Stellaria humifusa
Mosses & Liverworts
Sanionia uncinata
Flowering Plants
Carex glareosa
Dominant species are those that often reach high cover in the habitat, thus determining the habitat physiognomy.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Carex subspathacea | Flowering Plants | |
| Puccinellia phryganodes | Flowering Plants | |
| Stellaria humifusa | Flowering Plants | |
| Sanionia uncinata | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Carex glareosa | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A2.5 | Coastal saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | RLA2.5a | Arctic coastal salt marsh | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.5 | Coastal saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.6 | Coastal saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.6 | Coastal saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.6 | Coastal saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.6 | Coastal saltmarshes and saline habitats | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | B3 | Coastal saltmarshes and halophytic habitats | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 15 | Saltmarshes, salt steppes, salt scrubs | wider | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 15 | Saltmarshes, salt steppes, salt scrubs | wider | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 15 | wider | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 15 | wider | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 15 | wider | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 15.1 | wider | ||
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LMU.Sm | Saltmarsh | same |
