EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA5 - Littoral sand > MA52 - Atlantic littoral sand > MA523 - Barren or amphipod-dominated Atlantic littoral mobile sand > MA5231 - Barren Atlantic littoral coarse sand

Barren Atlantic littoral coarse sand

Description (English)

Freely-draining sandy beaches, particularly on the upper and mid shore, which lack a macrofaunal community due to their continual mobility. Trial excavations are unlikely to reveal any macrofauna in these typically steep beaches on exposed coasts. Oligochaetes, probably mainly enchytraeids, and the isopod Eurydice pulchra may be found in extremely low abundances, but if present in any quantity should be classed as units MA6-2273 or MA5-2332. Burrowing amphipods (Bathyporeia spp.) may be present on very rare occasions. Occasionally, other species may be left behind in low abundance by the ebbing tide.
Situation: This unit may occur on the mid and/or lower shore below MA3-211 in exposed conditions. In moderately exposed conditions, and where MA5-231 occurs on the upper shore, a range of relatively more species-rich clean sand communities may occur on the mid and lower shore. These include MA5-233, MA5-232 and MA5-241, depending on the degree of wave exposure and sediment mobility. Tal may occur on the same shore as MA5-231, where driftlines of algae and other debris accumulate on the upper shore.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA5231
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)	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]
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)	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	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 Eurydice pulchra

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Eurydice pulchra		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.221	Barren littoral coarse sand	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.221	Barren littoral coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.242	Barren coarse sand shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.212	Barren coarse sand shores	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LGS.S.BarSnd	Barren coarse sand shores	same

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