EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA6 - Littoral mud > MA62 - Atlantic littoral mud

Atlantic littoral mud

Description (English)

Shores of fine particulate sediment, mostly in the silt and clay fraction (particle size less than 0.063 mm in diameter), though sandy mud may contain up to 40% sand (mostly very fine and fine sand). Littoral mud typically forms extensive mudflats, though dry compacted mud can form steep and even vertical structures, particularly at the top of the shore adjacent to saltmarshes. Little oxygen penetrates these cohesive sediments, and an anoxic layer is often present within millimetres of the sediment surface. Littoral mud can support communities characterised by polychaetes, bivalves and oligochaetes. Most muddy shores are subject to some freshwater influence, as most of them occur along the shores of estuaries. Mudflats on sheltered lower estuarine shores can support a rich infauna, whereas muddy shores at the extreme upper end of estuaries and which are subject to very low salinity often support very little infauna.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA62
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)	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]
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)	Littoral mud	A2.3	Narrower	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)	A2.3	Littoral mud	narrower

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.3	Littoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.3	Littoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.3	Littoral muds	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.3	Littoral muds	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A2.3	Littoral muds	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A2.3	Littoral muds	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	11.27	Part of Soft sediment littoral communities	wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	14.1	Part of Mud flats and sand flats	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	14		wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	11.27		wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	11.27		wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	14		wider
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	14		wider
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989	14		wider
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU	Littoral muds	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU		same

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