EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA6 - Littoral mud > MA62 - Atlantic littoral mud > MA622 - Faunal communities of variable salinity Atlantic littoral mud > MA6225 - Hediste diversicolor, Limecola balthica and Scrobiculariaplana in Atlantic littoral sandy mud

Hediste diversicolor, Limecola balthica and Scrobiculariaplana in Atlantic littoral sandy mud

Description (English)

Mainly mid shore mud or sandy mud subject to variable salinity on sheltered estuarine shores. Typically, the sediment is wet in appearance and has an anoxic layer below 1 cm depth. The surface of the mud has the distinctive 'crow's foot' pattern formed by the peppery furrow shell Scrobicularia plana. The infauna is additionally characterised by a range of polychaete and bivalve species, including the ragworm Hediste diversicolor, Pygospio elegans, Streblospio shrubsolii, Tharyx killariensis and the baltic tellin Limecola balthica (Macoma balthica). Oligochaetes, most notably Tubificoides benedii, and the spire shell Hydrobia ulvae may be abundant. Other species that sometimes occur in this biotope are the cockle Cerastoderma edule, the sand gaper Mya arenaria and the polychaetes Eteone longa and Nephtys hombergii.
Situation: This unit may occur on the same shores as units MA6-223, MA6-224, NhomAph, MA6-2271 and MA6-2272. Higher up on the shore, and/or further towards the head of the estuary, MA6-2273 may occur, changing to MA6-228 at the upper extreme of the estuary.
Temporal variation: Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva lactuca may form mats on the surface of the mud during the summer months, particularly in areas of nutrient enrichment.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA6225
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]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Ulva lactuca

Invertebrates Cerastoderma edule

Invertebrates Mya arenaria

Invertebrates Nephtys hombergii

Invertebrates Streblospio shrubsolii

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Ulva lactuca		Algae
Cerastoderma edule		Invertebrates
Mya arenaria		Invertebrates
Nephtys hombergii		Invertebrates
Streblospio shrubsolii		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.313	Hediste diversicolor, Macoma balthica and Scrobicularia plana in littoral sandy mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.313	Hediste diversicolor, Macoma balthica and Scrobicularia plana in littoral sandy mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.371	Hediste diversicolor, Macoma balthica and Scrobicularia plana in littoral sandy mud shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.361	Hediste diversicolor and Macoma balthica in sandy mud shores	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.371	Hediste diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana in reduced salinity mud shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.321	Hediste diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana in reduced salinity mud shores	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU.Mu.HedScr	Hediste diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana in reduced salinity mud shores	same

Write to us

Call us

Sections