Epibenthic macrocommunity on Baltic infralittoral sand

This is a Baltic Sea benthic habitat in the photic zone where at least 90% of the substrate is sand according to the HELCOM HUB classification. No perennial attached vegetation is present but perennial unattached algae or annual algae may occur and cover more than 10% of the substrate. The habitat could occur across all salinity regimes in the Baltic and in areas moderately exposed to currents or wave action. 

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.

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats