Infralittoral gravels and sands
Classification
Description
GB distribution
Compiled by: Leigh Jones, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City
Road, Peterborough PE1 IJY, UK.
Derived, in part, from: the UK marine biotope classification (Connor et al.
1997b) and a review undertaken for the UK Marine SACs Project (Elliott et al.
1998).
Classification
| Classification |
Code |
Biotope(s) |
| Europe (EUNIS Nov. 1999) |
A4.1 |
Sublittoral mobile cobbles, gravels and coarse sands |
| Wadden Sea |
03.02.03 |
Benthic zone of the shallow coastal waters, coarse sand,
gravel /shells bottoms, few macrophytes |
| Britain/Ireland (MNCR BioMar 97.06) |
IGS |
Infralittoral gravels and sands |
| France (ZNIEFF-MER) |
III.5.2.1 III.5.3 |
Faciès des sables grossiers hétérogènes à Lanice
conchilega Biocénose des sables grossiers et fins graviers brassés par les vagues
(SGBV) |
Description
Gravel and sand habitats in the infralittoral zone, extending from the extreme lower
shore into the shallow sublittoral. This habitat may support seaweed communities or, more
commonly, be characterised by animal communities, which are influenced by a high degree of
disturbance from wave action or strong tidal currents. Although supporting a wide range of
species, these habitats typically include fairly robust infaunal species of amphipods,
bivalves and polychaetes.
Note: Maerl beds are considered as a separate habitat review.
GB distribution
(from MNCR database in February 1999)
Habitat requirements
Species composition and biodiversity
Ecological relationships
Sensitivity to human activities
Conservation and protection status
References
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