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
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
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 |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |