EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB5 - Infralittoral sand > MB52 - Atlantic infralittoral sand > MB523 - Faunal communities of full salinity Atlantic infralittoral sand > MB5232 - Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept Atlantic infralittoral sand with cobbles or pebbles

Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept Atlantic infralittoral sand with cobbles or pebbles

Description (English)

Shallow sands with cobbles and pebbles, exposed to strong tidal streams, with conspicuous colonies of hydroids, particularly Hydrallmania falcata and to a lesser extent Sertularia cupressina and S. argentea. These hydroids are tolerant to periodic submergence and scour by sand. Both diving and dredge surveys will easily record this biotope. Flustra foliacea, Balanus crenatus and Alcyonidium diaphanum may also occur on the more stable cobbles and pebbles, with Urticina felina and occasional Lanice conchilega present in the sand. Infaunal components of the other biotopes of sublittoral sand or coarse sediments may occur in this biotope as may elements of the 'Venus' associations; indeed, this biotope may be at one extreme of the spectrum of such associations (E.I.S. Rees pers. comm. 1997) and this biotope may be best considered an epibiotic overlay.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB5232
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 Alcyonidium diaphanum

Invertebrates Balanus crenatus

Invertebrates Flustra foliacea

Invertebrates Hydrallmania falcata

Invertebrates Lanice conchilega

Invertebrates Sertularia cupressina

Invertebrates Urticina felina

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Alcyonidium diaphanum		Invertebrates
Balanus crenatus		Invertebrates
Flustra foliacea		Invertebrates
Hydrallmania falcata		Invertebrates
Lanice conchilega		Invertebrates
Sertularia cupressina		Invertebrates
Urticina felina		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.232	Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept sublittoral sand with cobbles or pebbles	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.232	Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept sublittoral sand with cobbles or pebbles	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.122	Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept sublittoral sand with cobbles or pebbles	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.122	Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept sublittoral cobbles or pebbles in coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.132	Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept sublittoral cobbles or pebbles in coarse sand	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IGS.FaS.ScupHyd	Sertularia cupressina and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept sublittoral sublittoral cobbles or pebbles in coarse sand	same

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