Atlantic mid-low saltmarshes
Description (English)
Low zone of Atlantic salt marshes with open to closed swards of halophytic graminoids, herbs and low shrubs on sandy or clayey flats. The communities are regularly flooded (100-200 days/year) by seawater. In the southern part of the distribution range, perennial glassworts may dominate, indicating transitions toward Mediterranean salt marshes.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MA224 |
|---|---|
| Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
| Legal text | Annex | Name in legal text | Code in legal text |
Habitat type relationship |
More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) | 1330 | Narrower | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants
Puccinellia maritima
Flowering Plants
Spergularia media
Flowering Plants
Tripolium pannonicum
Flowering Plants
Halimione portulacoides
Flowering Plants
Limonium humile
Flowering Plants
Limonium vulgare
Flowering Plants
Cochlearia anglica
Flowering Plants
Triglochin maritima
Flowering Plants
Glaux maritima
Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Puccinellia maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Spergularia media | Flowering Plants | |
| Tripolium pannonicum | Flowering Plants | |
| Halimione portulacoides | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium humile | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium vulgare | Flowering Plants | |
| Cochlearia anglica | Flowering Plants | |
| Triglochin maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Glaux maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Puccinellia maritima
Flowering Plants
Tripolium pannonicum
Flowering Plants
Spergularia media
Flowering Plants
Halimione portulacoides
Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima
Flowering Plants
Triglochin maritima
Flowering Plants
Glaux maritima
Flowering Plants
Limonium vulgare
Flowering Plants
Atriplex prostrata
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Puccinellia maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Tripolium pannonicum | Flowering Plants | |
| Spergularia media | Flowering Plants | |
| Halimione portulacoides | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Triglochin maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Glaux maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium vulgare | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex prostrata | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Puccinellia maritima
Flowering Plants
Halimione portulacoides
Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Puccinellia maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Halimione portulacoides | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A2.54 | Low-mid saltmarshes | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A2.542 | Atlantic lower shore communities | 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 | A2.54 | Low-mid saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.542 | Atlantic lower shore communities | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.642 | Atlantic lower shore communities | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.64 | Low-mid saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.64 | Low-mid saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.642 | Atlantic lower shore communities | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.64 | Low-mid saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.642 | Atlantic lower shore communities | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.62 | Low-mid saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.622 | Atlantic lower schorre communities | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | B3.32 | Atlantic lower schorre communities | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 15.32 | Atlantic lower schorre communities | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 15.32 | Atlantic lower schorre communities | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 15.32 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 15.32 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 15.32 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 15.132 | same | ||
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LMU.Sml-m | Saltmarsh (low-mid) | same |
