EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC2 - Circalittoral biogenic habitat > MC22 - Atlantic circalittoral biogenic habitat > MC223 - Bivalve reefs in the Atlantic circalittoral zone

Bivalve reefs in the Atlantic circalittoral zone

Description (English)

Sublittoral mussel beds comprised of either the horse mussel Modiolus modiolus or the common mussel Mytilus edulis. These communities may be sublittoral extensions of littoral reefs or exist independently. Found in a variety of habitats ranging from sheltered estuaries and marine inlets to open coasts and offshore areas they may occupy a range of substrata, although due to the stabilising effect such communities have on the substratum muddy mixed sediments are typical. A diverse range of epibiota and infauna often exists in these communities.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC223
Relation to	Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

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
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Reefs	1170	Narrower	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Modiolus modiolus

Invertebrates Mytilus edulis

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Modiolus modiolus		Invertebrates
Mytilus edulis		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.62	Sublittoral mussel beds on sediment	overlap
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA4.24	Mussel beds on moderate energy Atlantic circalittoral rock	wider
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA5.67	Mussel beds Modiolus modiolus on Atlantic sublittoral sediment	wider
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA5.62	Mussel beds (Mytilis edulis) on Atlantic sublittoral sediment	wider

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.62	Sublittoral mussel beds on sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.432	Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.442	Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.64	Sublittoral mussel beds on sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.64	Structures formed by mussels over sublittoral sediment	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.432	Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.442	Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.452	Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.492	Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A4.92	Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment	narrower
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.EstMx.MytV	Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment	narrower
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	CMX.ModMx	Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment	narrower

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