EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB4 - infralittoral mixed sediment > MB42 - Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment > MB422 - Vegetated communities on low salinity Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment > MB4221 - Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment or rock

Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment or rock

Description (English)

Shallow muddy sediments, often with boulders, cobbles and pebbles around the edges of lagoons, or other areas that are exposed to wide salinity variations are unsuitable for colonisation by many species. Such areas may be colonised by a dense blanket of ephemeral green algae such as Enteromorpha spp., Chaetomorpha linum, Cladophora liniformis or Rhizoclonium riparium. This biotope may also contain some red seaweeds, such as Furcellaria lumbricalis, but always at low abundance (compare with MB1-253). Amongst the filamentous green algae, grazing molluscs and solitary ascidians may be present. Infauna may typically include Corophium volutator, Heterochaeta costata, Tubificoides benedeni and other taxa suited for low/variable salinity environments.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB4221
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)	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 Chaetomorpha linum

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Chaetomorpha linum		Algae

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.528	Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity infralittoral mixed sediment or rock	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.528	Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity infralittoral mixed sediment or rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.414	Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity infralittoral mixed sediment or rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.414	Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity shallow-water mixed sediment or rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.414	Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity shallow-water mixed sediment or rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.KSwMx.FiG	Filamentous green seaweeds on low salinity infralittoral mixed sediment or rock	same

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