Description of biotope or habitat type
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Macoma balthica and Arenicola marina in littoral muddy sand
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Very sheltered, Extremely sheltered |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Fine sand or muddy sand |
| Zone | |
| Depth Band | Lower shore, Mid shore, Upper shore |
| Other Features |
Download comparative physical and biological data. The comparative tables enable a rapid comparison of the species composition and principal physical characteristics between a given set of biotopes.
- Records used to define the biotope (core records)
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'certain'
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'uncertain'
Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot.
Description
Muddy sand or fine sand, often occurring as extensive intertidal flats both on open coasts and in marine inlets. The sediment is often compacted, with a rippled surface, areas of standing water, and generally remains water-saturated during low water. Scattered stones, cobbles and boulders with attached fucoids may be present. An anoxic layer is usually present within 5cm of the sediment surface and is often visible in worm casts. The habitat may be subject to variable salinity conditions in marine inlets. The species assemblage is characterised by the lugworm Arenicola marina and the Baltic tellin Macoma balthica. The polychaetes Scoloplos armiger and Pygospio elegans are typically superabundant and common, respectively. Oligochaetes, probably mainly Tubificoides benedii and T. pseudogaster, may be common, and the cockle Cerastoderma edule may be abundant.
Situation
MacAre has broad transition areas with CerPo and HedMac, which tends to occur lower down on the shore.
Temporal variation
Not known.
Characterising species
| Taxon | Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | Typical abundance - (count per m2) | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macoma balthica | 61 | Common | 248 | 81-100% |
| Scoloplos armiger | 13 | Super abundant | 75 | 61-80% |
| Cerastoderma edule | 11 | Abundant | 116 | 41-60% |
| Arenicola marina | 6 | Common | 24 | 81-100% |
| Oligochaeta | 4 | Common | 48 | 21-40% |
| Pygospio elegans | 4 | Common | 58 | 41-60% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
LS.LMu.MEst.HedMac
Occurs in muddier substrata. LS.LMu.MEst.HedMac is characterised by abundant ragworms H. diversicolor, as well as M. balthica. The cockle C. edule tends to be less abundant, and the sand gaper Mya arenaria may be abundant.
LS.LSa.MuSa.CerPo
Occurs lower down on the shore, sometimes in variable salinity conditions. The lugworm A. marina tends to be absent, but there is a greater range of crustacean species, and C. edule is more consistently present.
LS.LSa.MuSa.BatCare
Occurs in muddier sediments, in more estuarine conditions. The infauna is characterised by Bathyporeia pilosa and Corophium spp.Classification history of this biotope or habitat type
| Classification version | Code | Habitat name |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 (15.03) | LS.LSa.MuSa.MacAre | Macoma balthica and Arenicola marina in littoral muddy sand |
| 2004 (04.05) | LS.LSa.MuSa.MacAre | Macoma balthica and Arenicola marina in littoral muddy sand |
| 1997 (97.06) | LMS.MS.MacAre | Macoma balthica and Arenicola marina in muddy sand shores |
| 1996 (6.95) | LMS.AreBv |
Photos
