Pontic mediolittoral sands

This habitat occurs in the mediolittoral zone in areas of coarse, medium and fine sands. It is typically exposed, moderately exposed or sheltered from wave action.

The dominant environmental conditions which define the sediment characteristic and species composition are high levels of physical disturbance from wave action, wide temperature variability, and periods of desiccation. In the microtidal Black Sea (tidal range of about 0.3 m) this habitat is limited to narrow beach strip covered by the swash. 

Community composition depends on grain size and origin of sand (siliceous/calcareous, biogenic/abiogenic) with three associated biotopes distinguished. Diversity is usually low due to high physical disturbance from wave action but abundances may be high.

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 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