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 > MA62272 - Hediste diversicolor and Corophium volutator in Atlantic littoral mud

Hediste diversicolor and Corophium volutator in Atlantic littoral mud

Description (English)

Sheltered estuarine shores of sandy mud, which may become firm and compacted if present in the upper shore where there is more time for drainage between high tides. An anoxic layer is usually present within the first 5 cm of the sediment. The infauna is very sparse, usually only the ragworm Hediste diversicolor and the amphipod Corophium volutator are present in any abundance. Occasionally, oligochaetes or the spire shell Hydrobia ulvae may be present. Corophium multisetosum may also be found. There may be organic pollution of the sediment.
Situation: This unit may occur on the same shores as units MA6-225, MA6-224, MA6-226, and MA6-2271. 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. 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 MA62272
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 Corophium multisetosum

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Ulva lactuca		Algae
Corophium multisetosum		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.3222	Hediste diversicolor and Corophium volutator in littoral mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.3222	Hediste diversicolor and Corophium volutator in littoral mud	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.34	Corophium spp. in soft mud shores	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.373	Hediste diversicolor and oligochaetes in low salinity mud shores	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.373	Hediste diversicolor and oligochaetes in low salinity mud shores	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.323	Hediste diversicolor and oligochaetes in low salinity mud shores	overlap
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU.Mu.HedOl	Hediste diversicolor and oligochaetes in low salinity mud shores	overlap

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