Pontic infralittoral sands and muddy sands without macroalgae

This habitat includes all sandy habitats dominated by faunal species occurring in the infralittoral zone down to 20m depth and comprises many different Level 5 habitats. This ranges from medium to coarse grained sands on exposed beaches to off-shore infralittoral fine sand banks and includes many types of surface features at different scales (banks, ripples, mounds and burrows of infauna). The depth and waves or current exposure are important elements in defining the species composition.

Indicators of quality:

Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include; the presence of characteristic species and those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to particular pressure as well as 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.

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats