EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA4 - Littoral mixed sediment > MA42 - Atlantic littoral mixed sediment > MA423 - Unvegetated Atlantic littoral mixed sediment > MA4232 - Hediste diversicolor in Atlantic littoral gravelly muddy sand and gravelly sandy mud > MA42321 - Hediste diversicolor and Limecola balthica in littoral gravelly mud

Hediste diversicolor and Limecola balthica in littoral gravelly mud

Description (English)

Sheltered gravelly mud shores, subject to reduced salinity. The infaunal community consists of the ragworm Hediste diversicolor, as well as the spire shell Hydrobia ulvae and the baltic tellin Limecola balthica (Macoma balthica). The presence of the gravel in the sediment is unlikely to have a large influence on the infaunal composition, which is driven mainly by the estuarine sandy mud conditions. Coarse material on the sediment surface may however enrich the biota with additional epifaunal species such as barnacles and algae. Given the low sample numbers for this biotope, more records are needed to confirm the characterising species list.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between this biotope, and the corresponding muddy sediment biotope, unit MA6-224. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with MA4-2321 present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat, where the main biotope is MA6-224. This biotope has been found alongside its mud equivalent in the Stour estuary.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA42321
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)	Estuaries	1130	Overlap	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)	Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide	1140	Overlap	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

Invertebrates Macoma balthica

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Macoma balthica		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.4111	Hediste diversicolor and Macoma balthica in littoral gravelly mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.4111	Hediste diversicolor and Macoma balthica in littoral gravelly mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.415	Hediste diversicolor and Macoma balthica in poorly sorted mixed sediment shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.415	Hediste diversicolor and Macoma balthica in poorly sorted mixed sediment shores	overlap

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