Oligochaetes in full salinity littoral mobile sand
Description (English)
A species-poor community of oligochaetes occurring in fully marine conditions on open shores with mobile, medium to fine, usually clean, sand. Oligochaetes, including enchytraeid oligochaetes, constitute the infaunal assemblage. On rare occasions individuals of polychaete or crustacean species may be encountered (e.g. Nephtys spp., Eurydice pulchra, Bathyporeia spp.), though these are not characterising for the biotope and if present in any significant abundance, the area should be classed as unit A2.223.
Situation: Where A2.2221 is situated on the mid shore, A2.111 and/or A2.221 may be present on the upper shore, and lower down on the shore, A2.2231 and A2.2233 may be found. A2.3223 may also occur on the upper shore, with A2.2232 present on the mid shore, and A2.2311 or A2.2312 on the lower shore. A2.211 may be found on the upper shore where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris accumulate.
Temporal variation: Wave exposure may be higher on some beaches during winter than during the summer months, leading to the disappearance of infaunal species in winter. Where this happens, the biotope may change to A2.221. If conditions become more sheltered, seasonally or permanently, the sediment may become colonised by a greater range of species and the area may change to A2.223.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A2.2221 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A2.2) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Eurydice pulchra | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LS.LSa.MoSa.Ol.FS | Oligochaetes in full salinity littoral mobile sand | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.2221 | Oligochaetes in full salinity littoral mobile sand | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.243 | Burrowing amphipods and Eurydice pulchra in well-drained clean sand shores | overlap |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A2.242 | Barren coarse sand shores | overlap |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.242 | Barren coarse sand shores | overlap |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A2.243 | Burrowing amphipods and Eurydice pulchra in well-drained clean sand shores | overlap |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.212 | Barren coarse sand shores | overlap |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A2.213 | Burrowing amphipods and Eurydice pulchra in well-drained clean sand shores | overlap |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LGS.S.AEur | Burrowing amphipods and Eurydice pulchra in well-drained clean sand shores | overlap |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LGS.S.BarSnd | Barren coarse sand shores | overlap |