EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MD2 - Offshore circalittoral biogenic habitat > MD23 - Baltic offshore circalittoral biogenic habitat > MD233 - Baltic offshore circalittoral mixed bottoms characterized by sparse or no epibentic biotic structures > MD2331 - Baltic offshore circalittoral shell gravel bottoms dominated by Mytilidae

Baltic offshore circalittoral shell gravel bottoms dominated by Mytilidae

Description (English)

Baltic offshore bottoms in the aphotic zone, below halocline/pycnocline with at least 90 % coverage of shell gravel. Epibenthic bivalves cover at least 10%of the seabed and more than other perennial attached erect groups. Out of the epibenthic bivalves, Mytilidae constitutes at least 50 % of the biomass.
Physical environment
Substrate is shell gravel.
Characteristic species
Mytilus spp., Modiolus modiolus

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MD2331
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)	Reefs	1170	Narrower	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)	A5.115	Baltic shell gravel bottoms of the aphotic zone	narrower

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.144	Baltic shell gravel bottoms of the aphotic zone	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.731	Baltic shell gravel bottoms of the aphotic zone	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.731	Baltic shell gravel bottoms of the aphotic zone	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.75	Baltic shell gravel bottoms of the aphotic zone	same

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