EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA6 - Littoral mud > MA62 - Atlantic littoral mud > MA622 - Faunal communities of variable salinity Atlantic littoral mud > MA6227 - Hediste diversicolor in Atlantic littoral mud > MA62271 - Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in Atlantic littoral sandy mud

Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in Atlantic littoral sandy mud

Description (English)

Mud and sandy mud shores in sheltered marine inlets and estuaries subject to variable or reduced salinity. The biotope is typically found on the mid and lower shores and is often associated with shallow layers of cobbles and pebbles in the sediment in the upper and mid estuary. The sediment is anoxic close to the surface and remains water saturated during low tide. The infaunal polychaete community is dominated by dense Hediste diversicolor, as well as species with a limited salinity range tolerance such as Streblospio shrubsolii and Manayunkia aestuarina. Oligochaetes, including Heterochaeta costata and Tubificoides benedii are often abundant, and the amphipod Corophium volutator is often common.
Situation: This unit may occur on the same shores as MA6-225, MA6-224, MA6-226 or MA6-2272. Higher up on the shore, and/or further towards the head of the estuary, MA6-2273 may occur, changing to Tben at the upper extreme of the estuary.
Temporal variation: Enteromorpha spp. or Ulva lactuca may form mats on the surface of the sediment during the summer months, particularly in areas of freshwater influence and/or where there is nutrient enrichment.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MA62271
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Ulva lactuca
Invertebrates Streblospio shrubsolii
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Ulva lactuca Algae
Streblospio shrubsolii Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A2.3221 Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in littoral sandy mud same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A2.3221 Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in littoral sandy mud same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A2.372 Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A2.372 Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A2.322 Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores overlap
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) LMU.Mu.HedStr Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores overlap
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