AB.M2 Baltic aphotic mixed substrate characterized by sparse macroscopic epibenthic biotic structures

Author                                     

HELCOM RED LIST Biotope Expert Team

Textual description            

Baltic bottoms in the photic zone with less than 90% coverage of a certain substrate type. Mixed substrates comprise any proportion of mix of any substrate type of soft/mobile and/or hard/non-mobile substrates. Coverage of sessile macroscopic epifauna is 0><10%.

Physical environment       

Salinity range: All; Exposure range: All; Depth range: Below photic zone ‑ more common on elevations.

Mapping advise (habitat delineation, identification, similar types)             

Aphotic zone areas with less than 90% coverage of a certain substrate type. Coverage of sessile macroscopic epifauna is 0><10%.

Geographic range               

Whole Baltic Sea

Correspondence with other classification systems               

HELCOM 1998:

2.8 Mixed sediment bottoms

2.8.1 Aphotic zone

EUNIS 2012:

A5 Sublittoral sediment

A5.4 : Sublittoral mixed sediments

A5.41 : Sublittoral mixed sediment in low or reduced salinity

A5.412 : Baltic mixed sediment bottoms of the aphotic zone

http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats/2589