Atlantic upper saltmarshes

Description (English)

Upper zone of Atlantic salt marshes, with fluctuating salinity and often influenced by freshwater seepage from surrounding dunes. This specific setting is reflected by species ranging from obligate halophytes to brackish and freshwater and dry dune indicators. Stands are often small and ephemeral, often embedded in wet grassland or dry dune habitat. They may be relatively species-rich, with many annuals.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MA222
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants Juncus gerardi
Flowering Plants Trifolium fragiferum
Flowering Plants Glaux maritima
Flowering Plants Cochlearia danica
Flowering Plants Carex distans
Flowering Plants Trifolium repens
Flowering Plants Agrostis stolonifera

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
Juncus gerardi Flowering Plants
Trifolium fragiferum Flowering Plants
Glaux maritima Flowering Plants
Cochlearia danica Flowering Plants
Carex distans Flowering Plants
Trifolium repens Flowering Plants
Agrostis stolonifera Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants Trifolium repens
Flowering Plants Juncus gerardi
Flowering Plants Glaux maritima
Flowering Plants Trifolium fragiferum
Flowering Plants Plantago maritima
Flowering Plants Carex distans
Flowering Plants Lotus tenuis
Flowering Plants Lolium perenne
Flowering Plants Cochlearia danica
Flowering Plants Centaurium pulchellum
Flowering Plants Plantago major

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
Agrostis stolonifera Flowering Plants
Trifolium repens Flowering Plants
Juncus gerardi Flowering Plants
Glaux maritima Flowering Plants
Trifolium fragiferum Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima Flowering Plants
Carex distans Flowering Plants
Lotus tenuis Flowering Plants
Lolium perenne Flowering Plants
Cochlearia danica Flowering Plants
Centaurium pulchellum Flowering Plants
Plantago major Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants Trifolium repens
Flowering Plants Juncus gerardi

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
Agrostis stolonifera Flowering Plants
Trifolium repens Flowering Plants
Juncus gerardi Flowering Plants

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.527 Atlantic salt scrubs same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.521 Atlantic and Baltic brackish saltmarsh communities same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.52 Upper saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.62 Species-rich upper saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.627 Atlantic salt scrubs same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.621 Atlantic and Baltic brackish saltmarsh communities same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.62 Species-rich upper saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.627 Atlantic salt scrubs same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.621 Atlantic and Baltic brackish saltmarsh communities same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.621 Atlantic brackish saltmarsh communities same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.62 Species-rich upper saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.627 Atlantic salt scrubs same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 A2.64 Species-rich upper saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 A2.647 Atlantic salt scrubs same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 A2.641 Atlantic brackish saltmarsh communities same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 B3.52 Atlantic salt scrubs same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 B3.34 Atlantic brackish saltmarsh communities same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 15.62 Atlantic salt scrubs same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 15.34 Atlantic brackish saltmarsh communities same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 15.34 Atlantic brackish saltmarsh communities same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 15.62 Atlantic salt scrubs same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 15.62   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 15.34   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 15.34   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 15.62   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 15.62   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 15.34   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 15.134   same
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