Atlantic saltmarsh driftlines
Description (English)
Driftline communities with annual nitrophilous plant species along and inside Atlantic salt marshes, often with a linear structure in the upper zone incidentally or regularly flooded by high tides. Species composition indicates both high nutrient content and saline conditions.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MA221 |
|---|---|
| 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
Atriplex littoralis
Flowering Plants
Atriplex prostrata
Flowering Plants
Artemisia maritima
Flowering Plants
Elytrigia atherica
Flowering Plants
Rumex crispus
Flowering Plants
Sonchus arvensis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atriplex littoralis | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex prostrata | Flowering Plants | |
| Artemisia maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Elytrigia atherica | Flowering Plants | |
| Rumex crispus | Flowering Plants | |
| Sonchus arvensis | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Atriplex prostrata
Flowering Plants
Atriplex littoralis
Flowering Plants
Rumex crispus
Flowering Plants
Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants
Elytrigia atherica
Flowering Plants
Sonchus arvensis
Flowering Plants
Tripolium pannonicum
Flowering Plants
Cirsium arvense
Flowering Plants
Artemisia maritima
Flowering Plants
Bolboschoenus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Senecio vulgaris
Flowering Plants
Phragmites australis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atriplex prostrata | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex littoralis | Flowering Plants | |
| Rumex crispus | Flowering Plants | |
| Agrostis stolonifera | Flowering Plants | |
| Elytrigia atherica | Flowering Plants | |
| Sonchus arvensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Tripolium pannonicum | Flowering Plants | |
| Cirsium arvense | Flowering Plants | |
| Artemisia maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Bolboschoenus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Senecio vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Phragmites australis | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Atriplex littoralis
Flowering Plants
Elytrigia atherica
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atriplex littoralis | Flowering Plants | |
| Elytrigia atherica | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A2.51 | Saltmarsh driftlines | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | RLA2.5c | Atlantic coastal salt marsh | narrower |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.51 | Saltmarsh driftlines | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.61 | Saltmarsh driftlines | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.61 | Saltmarsh driftlines | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.61 | Saltmarsh driftlines | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.65 | Saltmarsh drift-lines | same | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LMU.Smdr | Saltmarsh (drift-line) | same |
