EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB5 - Infralittoral sand > MB52 - Atlantic infralittoral sand > MB523 - Faunal communities of full salinity Atlantic infralittoral sand > MB5231 - Sparse fauna in Atlantic infralittoral mobile clean sand

Sparse fauna in Atlantic infralittoral mobile clean sand

Description (English)

Medium to fine sandy sediment in shallow water, often formed into dunes, on exposed or tide-swept coasts often contains very little infauna due to the mobility of the substratum. Some opportunistic populations of infaunal amphipods may occur, particularly in less mobile examples in conjunction with low numbers of mysids such as Gastrosaccus spinifer, the polychaete Nephtys cirrosa and the isopod Eurydice pulchra. Sand eels Ammodytes sp. may occasionally be observed in association with this biotope (and others). This biotope is more mobile than MB5-233 and may be closely related to MA5-231 on the shore. Common epifaunal species such as Pagurus bernhardus, Liocarcinus depurator, Carcinus maenas and Asterias rubens may be encountered and are the most conspicuous species present.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB5231
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 Asterias rubens

Invertebrates Carcinus maenas

Invertebrates Eurydice pulchra

Invertebrates Gastrosaccus spinifer

Invertebrates Liocarcinus depurator

Invertebrates Nephtys cirrosa

Invertebrates Pagurus bernhardus

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Asterias rubens		Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas		Invertebrates
Eurydice pulchra		Invertebrates
Gastrosaccus spinifer		Invertebrates
Liocarcinus depurator		Invertebrates
Nephtys cirrosa		Invertebrates
Pagurus bernhardus		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.231	Infralittoral mobile clean sand with sparse fauna	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.231	Infralittoral mobile clean sand with sparse fauna	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.121	Sparse fauna in marine infralittoral mobile clean sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.121	Sparse fauna in marine infralittoral mobile clean sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.131	Sparse fauna in marine infralittoral mobile clean sand	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IGS.FaS.Mob	Sparse fauna in marine infralittoral mobile clean sand	same

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