EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA4 - Littoral mixed sediment > MA45 - Mediterranean littoral mixed sediment

Mediterranean littoral mixed sediment

Description (English)

Mediterranean shores of mixed sediments range from muds with gravel and sand components to mixed sediments with pebbles, gravels, sands and mud in more even proportions. By definition, mixed sediments are poorly sorted. It is likely that there are broad transition areas between areas of mudflat or sandy mudflat, and mixed sediment biotopes where the sediment consists mainly of mud but has significant proportions of gravel and sand mixed in. Gravel mud may occur in patches on mudflats. Similarly, there is no 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 which are 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 gravel sandy mud, which are subject to reduced salinity, mainly on the mid and lower shore, may have abundant communities of polychaetes.
Characteristic species: Polychaetes: Aphelochaeta marioni, Capitella capitata, Cirriformia tentaculata ,Sphaerosyllis taylori, Pygospio elegans; bivalves: Cerastoderma edule, Abra nitida; oligochaetes:Tubificoides pseudogaster; crustaceans: Aora gracilis, Melita palmata, Microprotopus maculatus, Corophium volutator.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MA45
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Not available

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A2.4 Littoral mixed sediments narrower
European Red List of Habitats MEDA2.42 Communities of Mediterranean mediolittoral mixed sediment same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.4 Littoral mixed sediments same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.4 Littoral mixed substrates same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.4 Littoral combination sediments same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.4 Littoral mixed sediments same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 A2.4 Littoral mixed sediments same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 A2.4 Littoral mixed sediments same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 14.1 Part of Mud flats and sand flats wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 11.27 Part of Soft sediment littoral communities wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 14 Part of Mud flats and sand flats wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 11.27 Part of Soft sediment littoral communities wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 11.27   wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 11.27   wider
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) LMX Littoral mixed sediments same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) LMX   same
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