EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA6 - Littoral mud > MA64 - Black Sea littoral mud > MA641 - Polychaete/oligochaete dominated upper estuarine Black Sea littoral mud

Polychaete/oligochaete dominated upper estuarine Black Sea littoral mud

Description (English)

Upper estuarine sandy mud and mud shores, in areas with significant freshwater influence typically forms 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. Upper estuarine mud communities support few infaunal species and are principally characterised by a restricted range of polychaetes and oligochaetes. Chironomids are present in the upper estuary where fresh water conditions are prevalent.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA641
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

Not available

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.32	Polychaete/oligochaete-dominated upper estuarine mud shores	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.328	Pontic "camca" habitat of River Danube mouths	same
European Red List of Habitats	BLSA2.32	Polychaete/oligochaete-dominated upper estuarine Pontic littoral mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.32	Polychaete/oligochaete-dominated upper estuarine mud shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.37	Polychaete/oligochaete-dominated upper estuarine mud shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.37	Soft mud shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.32	Soft mud shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A2.32	Invertebrate communities of soft mud shores	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A2.32	Invertebrate communities of soft mud shores	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU.Mu	Soft mud shores	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU.Mu		same

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