EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA5 - Littoral sand > MA52 - Atlantic littoral sand > MA525 - Polychaete/bivalve-dominated Atlantic littoral muddy sand

Polychaete/bivalve-dominated Atlantic littoral muddy sand

Description (English)

Muddy sand or fine sand, often occurring as extensive intertidal flats on open coasts and in marine inlets. The sediment generally remains water-saturated during low water. The habitat may be subject to variable salinity conditions in marine inlets. An anoxic layer may be present below 5 cm of the sediment surface, sometimes seen in the worm casts on the surface. The infauna consists of a diverse range of amphipods, polychaetes, bivalves and gastropods.
Situation: Muddy sand communities are found predominantly on the mid and lower shore, though they may span the entire intertidal. Fine sand or mobile sand communities may be present on the upper shore with muddy sand communities present lower down. In sheltered mid estuarine conditions, muddy sand communities may be present on the upper part of the shore with mid estuarine muddy shore communities (MA6-22) lower down.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA525
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

Not available

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.24	Polychaete/bivalve-dominated muddy sand shores	same
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA2.24	Polychaete/bivalve-dominated Atlantic littoral muddy sand	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.24	Polychaete/bivalve-dominated muddy sand shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.25	Polychaete/bivalve-dominated muddy sand shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.25	Muddy sand shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.22	Muddy sand shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A2.21	Muddy sand shores with communities of molluscs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A2.21	Muddy sand shores with communities of molluscs	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LMS.MS	Muddy sand shores	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	LMS.AreBv		narrower

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