Maerl beds
English name:
Maerl beds
Description (English)
Beds of maerl in coarse clean sediments of gravels and clean sands, which occur either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets (the latter often stony). In fully marine conditions the dominant maerl is typically Phymatolithon calcareum (A5.511), whilst under variable salinity conditions in some sealochs beds of Lithothamnion glaciale (A5.512) may develop.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.51 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A5) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Algae
Lithothamnion glaciale
Algae
Phymatolithon calcareum
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Lithothamnion glaciale | Algae | |
| Phymatolithon calcareum | Algae |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SMp.Mrl | Maerl beds | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
| Barcelona Convention 199812 | III.3.2. | Biocenosis of coarse sands and fine gravels under the influence of bottom currents (also found in the Circalittoral) | same |
| Ramsar Wetland Types | B | Subtidal aquatic beds | wider |
| Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats (UK) | 41 | Maerl beds | wider |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.51 | Maerl beds | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.65 | Maerl beds on deep-water muddy sediments | overlap |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.61 | Seaweeds and maerl on coarse shallow-water sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.62 | Maerl beds on shallow-water muddy mixed sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.62 | Maerl beds on shallow-water muddy mixed sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.65 | Maerl beds on deep-water muddy sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.61 | Seaweeds and maerl on coarse shallow-water sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.42 | Maerl beds on shallow-water muddy mixed sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.11 | Seaweeds and maerl on coarse shallow-water sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.11 | Seaweeds and maerl on coarse infralittoral sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.42 | Maerl beds on muddy mixed sediments | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A4.11 | Seaweeds and maerl on coarse infralittoral sediments | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IGS.Mrl | Maerl beds (open coast/clean sediments) | narrower |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IMX.MrlMX | Maerl beds (muddy mixed sediments) | narrower |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | IGS.SwMrl | same |
