Species-rich mixed sediment shores
Description (English)
Sheltered mixed sediments, usually subject to variable salinity conditions. The infauna is very diverse, dominated by a range of polychaetes including Exogone naidina, Sphaerosyllis taylori, Pygospio elegans, Chaetozone gibber, Cirriformia tentaculata, Aphelochaeta marioni, Capitella capitata, Mediomastus fragilis, and Melinna palmata. The oligochaete worms Tubificoides benedii and T. pseudogaster are abundant, as is the cockle Cerastoderma edule. A large range of amphipods may occur, including Melita palmata, Microprotopus maculatus, Aora gracilis and Corophium volutator. The bivalves Abra alba and A. nitida may occur. The barnacle Elminius modestus may be abundant where the sediment has stones on the surface.
Situation: Mid shore, lower shore, as extension of shallow sublittoral biotope.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A2.42 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A2.4) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Abra alba
Invertebrates
Cerastoderma edule
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Abra alba | Invertebrates | |
| Cerastoderma edule | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LS.LMx.Mx | Species-rich mixed sediment shores | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.42 | Species-rich mixed sediment shores | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.41 | Sheltered combination sediment shores | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.41 | Sheltered combination sediment shores | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.43 | Sheltered mixed sediment shores | wider |
