EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA5 - Littoral sand > MA55 - Mediterranean littoral sand > MA551 - Biocenosis of Mediterranean supralittoral sands

Biocenosis of Mediterranean supralittoral sands

Description (English)

Area corresponding to the upper beach which is only humected by the sea during storms; however, certain areas do escape being totally submerged and receive a large amount of spray coming from the surge of the waves further down. 2 sets of phenomena are responsible for the dampness: at surface level, the dampness is caused by the salty spray from the breaking of the waves on the coast which is the main cause of the saltiness of the sand and the dampness of the night air. This humification only affects the top 2 or 3 centimetres and disappears quickly under the action of the sun; at depth, the sand is damp because of the proximity of the fairly unsalty ground water. The temperature is very variable and the daily differences in temperature may be extremely great: 0 to 20

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA551
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)	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)	B1.22	Biocenosis of supralittoral sands	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	B1.22	Biocenosis of supralittoral sands	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	B1.22	Biocenosis of supralittoral sands	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	B1.22	Biocenosis of supralittoral sands	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	B1.22	Biocenosis of supralittoral sands	same

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