EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA6 - Littoral mud > MA62 - Atlantic littoral mud > MA621 - Faunal communities of full salinity Atlantic littoral mud

Faunal communities of full salinity Atlantic littoral mud

Description (English)

Intertidal mudflats in fully marine open sea (coast) only develop under macrotidal conditions such as those found in the German Bight and Mont Saint Michel, France. Also they form part of a habitat complex on a landscape scale within bays, barrier systems and estuaries. Intertidal mudflats have a low species diversity but huge overall invertebrate productivity, resulting in an important and perpetually exploited food source for waders, waterfowl and fish as well as resting, pupping and feeding areas for seals and their young.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA621
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)	A2.33	Marine mud shores	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA2.33	Marine Atlantic littoral mud with associated communities	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type	Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.33	Marine mud shores	same

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