Mediterranean upper saltmarshes
Description (English)
Open communities of the upper fringe of Mediterranean salt marshes, dominated by annual species, often under the influence of salt spray. The vegetation often occupies small but relatively species-rich patches. Many species are vernal, ending their life cycle before summer, and many are also found outside the coastal region.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MA251 |
|---|---|
| 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
Parapholis incurva
Flowering Plants
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum
Flowering Plants
Hordeum marinum
Flowering Plants
Spergularia marina
Flowering Plants
Frankenia pulverulenta
Flowering Plants
Sphenopus divaricatus
Flowering Plants
Sagina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Parapholis incurva | Flowering Plants | |
| Arthrocnemum macrostachyum | Flowering Plants | |
| Hordeum marinum | Flowering Plants | |
| Spergularia marina | Flowering Plants | |
| Frankenia pulverulenta | Flowering Plants | |
| Sphenopus divaricatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Sagina maritima | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Parapholis incurva
Flowering Plants
Spergularia marina
Flowering Plants
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum
Flowering Plants
Hordeum marinum
Flowering Plants
Halimione portulacoides
Flowering Plants
Sagina maritima
Flowering Plants
Frankenia pulverulenta
Flowering Plants
Polypogon monspeliensis
Flowering Plants
Sphenopus divaricatus
Flowering Plants
Spergularia media
Flowering Plants
Puccinellia festuciformis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Parapholis incurva | Flowering Plants | |
| Spergularia marina | Flowering Plants | |
| Arthrocnemum macrostachyum | Flowering Plants | |
| Hordeum marinum | Flowering Plants | |
| Halimione portulacoides | Flowering Plants | |
| Sagina maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Frankenia pulverulenta | Flowering Plants | |
| Polypogon monspeliensis | Flowering Plants | |
| Sphenopus divaricatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Spergularia media | Flowering Plants | |
| Puccinellia festuciformis | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex prostrata | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Parapholis incurva
Flowering Plants
Spergularia marina
Flowering Plants
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Parapholis incurva | Flowering Plants | |
| Spergularia marina | Flowering Plants | |
| Arthrocnemum macrostachyum | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A2.526 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A2.52 | Upper saltmarshes | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | RLA2.5d | Mediterranean and Black Sea coastal salt marsh | narrower |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.52 | Upper saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.526 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.62 | Species-rich upper saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.626 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.626 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.62 | Species-rich upper saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.626 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.62 | Species-rich upper saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.646 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.64 | Species-rich upper saltmarshes | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | B3.51 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 15.61 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 15.61 | Mediterranean saltmarsh scrubs | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 15.61 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 15.61 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 15.61 | same |
