Atlantic pioneer saltmarshes

Description (English)

Pioneer zone of Atlantic salt marshes with open vegetation dominated by annual chenopodioids and grasses (Spartina). Stands are daily (twice) flooded by seawater and relatively species-poor. Dominating species are obligate halophytes and may occupy both sandy and clayey sites.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MA225
Relation to Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants Spartina maritima
Flowering Plants Puccinellia maritima
Flowering Plants Spartina alterniflora
Flowering Plants Tripolium pannonicum

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
Spartina maritima Flowering Plants
Puccinellia maritima Flowering Plants
Spartina alterniflora Flowering Plants
Tripolium pannonicum Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Tripolium pannonicum
Flowering Plants Puccinellia maritima
Flowering Plants Halimione portulacoides
Flowering Plants Spartina maritima

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
Tripolium pannonicum Flowering Plants
Puccinellia maritima Flowering Plants
Halimione portulacoides Flowering Plants
Spartina maritima Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Spartina 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
Spartina maritima Flowering Plants

Please note that a maximum of 20 species of each indicator category is shown.

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.551 Salicornia, Suaeda and Salsola pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.55 Pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.554 Flat-leaved Spartina swards same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.654 Flat-leaved Spartina swards same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.651 Salicornia, Suaeda and Salsola pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.65 Pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.654 Flat-leaved Spartina swards same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.651 Salicornia, Suaeda and Salsola pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.65 Pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.654 Flat-leaved Spartina swards same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.651 Salicornia, Suaeda and Salsola pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.65 Pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 A2.611 Salicornia, Suaeda and Salsola swards same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 A2.61 Pioneer saltmarshes same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 A2.614 Flat-leaved Spartina swards same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 B3.21 Flat-leaved cordgrass swards same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 B3.11 Glasswort swards same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 15.11 Glasswort swards same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 15.21 Flat-leaved cordgrass swards same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 15.2 Perennial salt pioneer swards narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 15.1 Annual salt pioneer swards narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 15.2 Perennial salt pioneer swards narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 15.1 Annual salt pioneer swards narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 15.11 Glasswort swards same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 15.21 Flat-leaved cordgrass swards same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 15.2   narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 15.21   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 15.1   narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 15.11   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 15.2   narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 15.21   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 15.1   narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 15.11   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 15.21   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 15.1   narrower
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 15.11   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 15.2   narrower
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 15.12   narrower
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 15.11   narrower
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 15.111   same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) LMU.Smpio Saltmarsh (pioneer) same
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