EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB2 - Infralittoral biogenic habitat > MB22 - Atlantic infralittoral biogenic habitat > MB222 - Bivalve reefs in the Atlantic infralittoral zone > MB2222 - Ostrea edulis beds on Atlantic infralittoral muddy mixed sediment

Ostrea edulis beds on Atlantic infralittoral muddy mixed sediment

Description (English)

Dense beds of the oyster Ostrea edulis can occur on muddy fine sand or sandy mud mixed sediments. There may be considerable quantities of dead oyster shell making up a substantial portion of the substratum. The clumps of dead shells and oysters can support large numbers of Ascidiella aspersa and Ascidiella scabra. Sponges such as Halichondria bowerbanki may also be present. Several conspicuously large polychaetes, such as Chaetopterus variopedatus and terebellids, as well as additional suspension-feeding polychaetes such as Myxicola infundibulum and Sabella pavonina may be important in distinguishing this biotope, whilst the Opisthobranch Philine aperta may also be frequent in some areas. A turf of seaweeds such as Plocamium cartilagineum, Nitophyllum punctatum and Spyridia filamentosa may also be present. This biotope description may need expansion to account for oyster beds in England.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB2222
Relation to	Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

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
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Estuaries	1130	Overlap	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	Overlap
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Reefs	1170	Narrower

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Plocamium cartilagineum

Algae Spyridia filamentosa

Invertebrates Ascidiella scabra

Invertebrates Ostrea edulis

Invertebrates Sabella pavonina

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Plocamium cartilagineum		Algae
Spyridia filamentosa		Algae
Ascidiella scabra		Invertebrates
Ostrea edulis	Flat oyster	Invertebrates
Sabella pavonina		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.435	Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.435	Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.63	Oyster beds	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.631	Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.63	Oyster beds	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.631	Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.431	Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.43	Oyster beds	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A4.43	Ostrea edulis beds	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A4.42	Oyster beds	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.Oy.Ost	Ostrea edulis beds on shallow sublittoral muddy sediment	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.Oy	Oyster beds	wider
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.Ost		narrower

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