EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB4 - infralittoral mixed sediment > MB42 - Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment > MB421 - Maerl beds on Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment

Maerl beds on Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment

Description (English)

Beds of maerl in coarse clean sediments of gravels and clean sands, which occur either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets (the latter often stony). In fully marine conditions the dominant maerl is typically Phymatolithon calcareum (MB3-221), whilst under variable salinity conditions in some sealochs beds of Lithothamnion glaciale (MB3-222) may develop.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB421
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)	Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time	1110	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)	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	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 Phymatolithon calcareum

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Phymatolithon calcareum		Algae

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.51	Maerl beds	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA5.51	Atlantic maerl beds	narrower

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.51	Maerl beds	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.62	Maerl beds on shallow-water muddy mixed sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.65	Maerl beds on deep-water muddy sediments	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.61	Seaweeds and maerl on coarse shallow-water sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.61	Seaweeds and maerl on coarse shallow-water sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.62	Maerl beds on shallow-water muddy mixed sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.65	Maerl beds on deep-water muddy sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.11	Seaweeds and maerl on coarse shallow-water sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.42	Maerl beds on shallow-water muddy mixed sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A4.42	Maerl beds on muddy mixed sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A4.11	Seaweeds and maerl on coarse infralittoral sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A4.11	Seaweeds and maerl on coarse infralittoral sediments	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.MrlMX	Maerl beds (muddy mixed sediments)	narrower
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IGS.Mrl	Maerl beds (open coast/clean sediments)	narrower
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	IGS.SwMrl		same

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