EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB5 - Infralittoral sand > MB52 - Atlantic infralittoral sand > MB523 - Faunal communities of full salinity Atlantic infralittoral sand

Faunal communities of full salinity Atlantic infralittoral sand

Description (English)

Sands which occur in shallow water, either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets.
In clean sands, the habitat typically lacks a significant seaweed component and is characterised by robust fauna, particularly amphipods (Bathyporeia) and robust polychaetes including Nephtys cirrosa and Lanice conchilega.
In non-cohesive muddy sand (with 5% to 20% silt/clay), the habitat supports a variety of animal-dominated communities, particularly polychaetes (Magelona mirabilis, Spiophanes bombyx and Chaetozone setosa), bivalves (Fabulina fibula and Chamelea gallina) and the urchin Echinocardium cordatum.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB523
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

Invertebrates Chaetozone setosa

Invertebrates Chamelea gallina

Invertebrates Echinocardium cordatum

Invertebrates Lanice conchilega

Invertebrates Nephtys cirrosa

Invertebrates Spiophanes bombyx

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Chaetozone setosa		Invertebrates
Chamelea gallina		Invertebrates
Echinocardium cordatum		Invertebrates
Lanice conchilega		Invertebrates
Nephtys cirrosa		Invertebrates
Spiophanes bombyx		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.23	Infralittoral fine sand	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.24	Infralittoral muddy sand	overlap
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA5.23	Marine Atlantic infralittoral fine sand	wider
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA5.24	Marine Atlantic infralittoral muddy sand	wider

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.24	Infralittoral muddy sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.23	Infralittoral fine sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.25	Infralittoral muddy sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.21	Animal communities in fully marine shallow clean sands	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.23	Communities of well sorted fine sands	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.22	Communities of fine sands in very shallow waters	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.25	Animal communities in fully marine shallow-water muddy sands	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.23	Communities of well sorted fine sands	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.21	Animal communities in fully marine shallow clean sands	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.22	Communities of fine sands in very shallow waters	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.23	Biocenosis of well sorted fine sands	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.21	Animal communities in fully marine shallow clean sands	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.22	Biocenosis of fine sands in very shallow waters	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.26	Animal communities in fully marine shallow-water muddy sands	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A4.21	Animal communities in shallow infralittoral muddy sands	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A4.22	Animal communities in shallow infralittoral muddy sands	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMS.FaMS	Shallow muddy sand faunal communities	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IGS.FaS	Shallow sand faunal communities	wider
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	IMS.FaMS		same

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