MA2-2 - Habitat biogénique du supra- et du médiolittoral en Atlantique

Atlantic littoral biogenic habitat

Classification des habitats EUNIS 2022

Descriptif de l'habitat

Littoral biogenic habitats on Atlantic coasts include saltmarshes and reefs formed by Sabellaria alveolata and Mytilus edulis.

Saltmarshes are angiosperm-dominated stands of vegetation, occurring on the extreme upper shore of sheltered coasts and periodically covered by high tides. The vegetation develops on a variety of sandy and muddy sediment types and may have admixtures of coarser material. The character of the saltmarsh communities is affected by height up the shore, resulting in a zonation pattern related to the degree or frequency of immersion in seawater.

Littoral biogenic reefs include Sabellaria reefs (MA2-26) dominated by the honeycomb worm Sabellaria alveolata and mixed sediment shores with mussels (MA2-27) with Mytilus edulis- dominated communities.

Bibliography

European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity 2022. EUNIS marine habitat classification 2022 including crosswalks. Table Excel. (Source)