MA225 Atlantic pioneer saltmarshes
Description
Patchy non-hydrophytic, halophilous communities, comprising both clonal perennial plants, like Spartina maritima, and annual, like Salicornia, pioneeringly colonising the outer margins of the innermost intertidal estuarine mudflats (‘slikke’) or clearings brought by severe floods or tidal currents in stands of more mature estuarine vegetation.
Protection
Salicornia stands ar protected by the EU Habitat Directive under the code 1310 ("Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand"); those of Spartina, on their part, under 1320 ("Spartina swards [Spartinion maritimae]").Floristic Composition
Frequent species
Spartina maritima 100%,
Salicornia europaea 19%,
Suaeda maritima 15%,
Halimione portulacoides 12%,
Sarcocornia perennis 8%,
Limonium vulgare 7%,
Puccinellia maritima 5%
Indicator species
Phytosociology
- Salicornietum dolichostachyae
- Spartinetum maritimae
- Suaedetum maritimae
Relations with other habitat types
These communities initiate the process of sediment retention and gradual buildup of terraces leading to MA224 and, ultimately, MA223.
Regional distribution
Known occurrences and potential area of occupancy of the habitat type in the study region.
