EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA2 - Littoral biogenic habitat > MA22 - Atlantic littoral biogenic habitat > MA225 - Atlantic pioneer saltmarshes > MA2252 - Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes

Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes

Description (English)

Mud, often consolidated with coarse sand or gravel, on the extreme upper shore with Salicornia spp. plants forming a pioneer saltmarsh community. This habitat typically occurs in very sheltered estuarine conditions. Usually a reduced marine fauna is present which may include the amphipod Corophium volutator, the ragworm Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor and often the mud snail Hydrobia ulvae. The fucoid alga Pelvetia canaliculata may be found on hard substrata, consolidated mud or lying unattached. This community is equivalent to saltmarsh community SM8 in the British National Vegetation Classification.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA2252
Relation to	Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

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
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Salicornia and other annuals colonising mud and sand	1310	Narrower	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae)	1330	Narrower	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Pelvetia canaliculata

Invertebrates Hydrobia ulvae

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Pelvetia canaliculata		Algae
Hydrobia ulvae		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.5513	Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU.Sm.NVC.SM8	Salicornia spp.	source
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.5513	Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.6513	Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.6513	Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.6513	Salicornia spp. pioneer saltmarshes	same

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