A5_53131_Ass__with_Cymodocea_nodosa_on_well_sorted_fine_sands-T2.2.

Abstract

EUNIS classification_A5_53131_Ass__with_Cymodocea_nodosa_on_well_sorted_fine_sands
Expanses of clean or muddy fine sand and sandy mud in shallow water and on the lower shore (typically to about 5 m depth) can have dense stands of [Zostera marina/angustifolia] [Note: the taxonomic status of [Z. angustifolia] is currently under consideration]. In A5.5331 the community composition may be dominated by these [Zostera] species and therefore characterised by the associated biota. Other biota present can be closely related to that of areas of sediment not containing [Zostera marina], for example, [Laminaria saccharina], [Chorda filum] and infaunal species such as [Ensis] spp. and [Echinocardium cordatum] (e.g. Bamber 1993). From the available data it would appear that a number of sub-biotopes may be found within this biotope dependant on the nature of the substratum and it should be noted that sparse beds of [Zostera marina] may be more readily characterised by their infaunal community. For example, coarse marine sands with seagrass have associated communities similar to A5.133, A5.137 or A5.135 whilst muddy sands may have infaunal populations related to A5.241, A5.243 and A5.242. Muddy examples of this biotope may show similarities to A5.332, A5.343, A5.342 or A5.351. At present the data does not permit a detailed description of these sub-biotopes but it is likely that with further study the relationships between these assemblages will be clarified. Furthermore, whilst the [Zostera] biotope may be considered an epibiotic overlay of established sedimentary communities it is likely that the presence of [Zostera] will modify the underlying community to some extent. For example, beds of this biotope in the south-west of Britain may contain conspicuous and distinctive assemblages of Lusitanian fauna such as [Laomedea angulata], [Hippocampus] spp. and Stauromedusae.

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