Species-rich Atlantic littoral mixed sediment
Quick facts
| Red List habitat type | code NEAA2.42 |
|---|---|
| Threat status | |
| Europe | Data Deficient |
| EU | Data Deficient |
| Relation to |
|
| Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
| European Red List of habitats reports | |
| European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
This habitat is characterised by sheltered mixed sediments, usually subject to variable salinity conditions. It is found on the mid- and lower shore and is an extension of a shallow sublittoral habitat. The infauna is very diverse, dominated by a range of polychaetes.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis.
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
| EU | |
| Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
| Data Deficient | - |
| Europe | |
| Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
| Data Deficient | - |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Pollution
- Marine water pollution
- Invasive, other problematic species and genes
- Invasive non-native species
- Natural System modifications
- Human induced changes in hydraulic conditions
- Landfill, land reclamation and drying out, general
- Removal of sediments (mud...)
- Modification of hydrographic functioning, general
- Siltation rate changes, dumping, depositing of dredged deposits
- Dykes, embankments, artificial beaches, general
- Climate change
- Changes in abiotic conditions
- Flooding and rising precipitations
- Water flow changes (limnic, tidal and oceanic)
- Wave exposure changes
- Sea-level changes
- Changes in biotic conditions
- Habitat shifting and alteration
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Unknown  |
Unknown |
| EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
| Unknown |
Unknown |
| EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to marine habitats
- Other marine-related measures
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Other marine-related measures
Distribution
Geographic occurrence and trends
| Seas | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic Seas | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Greater North Sea | ||||
| Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Coast | ||||
| Kattegat | ||||
| Macaronesia |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
| Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU28 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Insufficient records for reliable estimate. |
| EU28+ | Unknown | Unknown | Insufficient records for reliable estimate. |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).
