Mediterranean upper-mid saltmarshes and saline and brackish reed, rush and sedge beds
Description (English)
Open to closed rush communities on the high zone of Mediterranean salt marshes, where flooding frequency (by seawater) is low. The vegetation generally occupies small belts and patches, in line with the limited tidal range of the Mediterranean Sea. Inbetween the rushes, a range of halophytic grasses, herbs and low shrubs may be found.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MA252 |
|---|---|
| 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
Juncus acutus
Flowering Plants
Juncus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Limonium narbonense
Flowering Plants
Juncus subulatus
Flowering Plants
Carex extensa
Flowering Plants
Sarcocornia fruticosa
Flowering Plants
Bolboschoenus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Plantago crassifolia
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 acutus | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium narbonense | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus subulatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex extensa | Flowering Plants | |
| Sarcocornia fruticosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Bolboschoenus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago crassifolia | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Juncus acutus
Flowering Plants
Phragmites australis
Flowering Plants
Juncus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Bolboschoenus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Tripolium pannonicum
Flowering Plants
Atriplex prostrata
Flowering Plants
Halimione portulacoides
Flowering Plants
Sarcocornia fruticosa
Flowering Plants
Limonium narbonense
Flowering Plants
Carex extensa
Flowering Plants
Dittrichia viscosa
Flowering Plants
Elytrigia atherica
Flowering Plants
Juncus subulatus
Flowering Plants
Sonchus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Plantago crassifolia
Flowering Plants
Aeluropus littoralis
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Juncus acutus | Flowering Plants | |
| Phragmites australis | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Bolboschoenus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Tripolium pannonicum | Flowering Plants | |
| Atriplex prostrata | Flowering Plants | |
| Halimione portulacoides | Flowering Plants | |
| Sarcocornia fruticosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium narbonense | Flowering Plants | |
| Carex extensa | Flowering Plants | |
| Dittrichia viscosa | Flowering Plants | |
| Elytrigia atherica | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus subulatus | Flowering Plants | |
| Sonchus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago crassifolia | Flowering Plants | |
| Aeluropus littoralis | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Juncus acutus
Flowering Plants
Bolboschoenus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Juncus maritimus
Flowering Plants
Phragmites australis
Flowering Plants
Halimione portulacoides
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Juncus acutus | Flowering Plants | |
| Bolboschoenus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Juncus maritimus | Flowering Plants | |
| Phragmites australis | Flowering Plants | |
| Halimione portulacoides | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A2.53 | Mid-upper saltmarshes and saline and brackish reed, rush and sedge beds | 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 | A2.53 | Mid-upper saltmarshes and saline and brackish reed, rush and sedge beds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.63 | Mid-upper saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.63 | Mid-upper saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.63 | Mid-upper saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A2.63 | Mid-upper saltmarshes | same | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LMU.Smm-u | Saltmarsh (mid-upper) | same |
