EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB5 - Infralittoral sand > MB55 - Mediterranean infralittoral sand > MB553 - Biocenosis of Mediterranean superficial muddy sands in sheltered waters

Biocenosis of Mediterranean superficial muddy sands in sheltered waters

Description (English)

These habitats are located in protected coves, in sheltered environments, where a substrate consisting of a muddy-sandy sediment, sometimes mixed with a small amount of gravel, occurs. Depth is mostly around 1 metre, rarely more than 3 metres. These shallow areas are characterised by very variable environmental conditions and may present facies with epiflora or major developments of filtering or burrowing species. These variations in the environment are linked to fairly strong sedimentation conditions, to climatic conditions, with very great differences in temperature between winter and summer and even during the same day, to the possibility of rainwater runoff or ground water seepage, and to anthropic action.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB553
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)	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)	* Coastal lagoons	1150	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

Not available

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.28	Mediterranean communities of superficial muddy sands in sheltered waters	same
European Red List of Habitats	MEDA5.28	Faunal communities of sheltered Mediterranean infralittoral muddy sands	same
European Red List of Habitats	MEDA5.52B	Algal dominated communities in the Mediterranean infralittoral sediment	wider
European Red List of Habitats	MEDA5.53	Seagrass beds (other than Posidonia) on Mediterranean infralittoral sand	wider

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.28	Mediterranean communities of superficial muddy sands in sheltered waters	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.33	Mediterranean communities of superficial muddy sands in sheltered waters	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.33	Communities of superficial muddy sands in sheltered waters	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.34	Biocenosis of superficial muddy sands in sheltered waters	same

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