Circalittoral mixed sediments

English name: Circalittoral mixed sediments

Description (English)

Mixed (heterogeneous) sediment habitats in the circalittoral zone (generally below 15-20 m) including well mixed muddy gravelly sands or very poorly sorted mosaics of shell, cobbles and pebbles embedded in or lying upon mud, sand or gravel. Due to the variable nature of the seabed a variety of communities can develop which are often very diverse. A wide range of infaunal polychaetes, bivalves, echinoderms and burrowing anemones such as Cerianthus lloydii are often present in such habitat and the presence of hard substrata (shells and stones) on the surface enables epifaunal species to become established, particularly hydroids such as Nemertesia spp and Hydrallmania falcata. The combination of epifauna and infauna can lead to species rich communities. Coarser mixed sediment communities may show a strong resemblance, in terms of infauna, to biotopes within the A5.1. However, infaunal data for this habitat type is limited to that described under the biotope A5.443, and so are not representative of the infaunal component of this habitat type.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code A5.44
Bern Convention Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A5)

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
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 SS.SMx.CMx Circalittoral mixed sediment source
CORINE Land Cover 5.2.3. Sea and ocean n/a
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A5.44 Circalittoral mixed sediments same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A4.44 Animal communities of circalittoral mixed sediments wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A4.44 Animal communities of circalittoral mixed sediments same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A4.49 Animal communities of circalittoral mixed sediments same
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