Communities of Marmara littoral mixed sediment

Description (English)

Shores of mixed sediments ranging from muds with gravel and sand components to mixed sediments (pebbles, gravels, sands and mud in more even proportions). By definition, mixed sediments are poorly sorted. Similarly, there is unlikely to be an easily defined boundary between areas of mixed sediment with stable cobbles and boulders, and boulder fields which fall into the rocky shore category. Stable large cobbles or boulders may be present, which support epibiota such as fucoids and green seaweeds more commonly found on rocky and boulder shores. Mixed sediments which are predominantly muddy tend to support infaunal communities, which are similar to those of mud and sandy mud shores. Habitats with sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to reduced salinity, mainly on the mid and lower shore, may have an abundant community of ragworms Hediste diversicolor.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification