Biodiversity & Conservation

For a full description of this biotope including characterizing species, distribution, survey information and references visit JNCC

Medium to fine clean / muddy (clayey) sand off shallow wave- exposed coasts can be characterized by Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum. This community occurs in muddy sands and deeper water (Hiscock, 1984; Picton et al., 1994) and may be related to the 'off-shore muddy sand association' described by other workers (Jones, 1951; Mackie, 1990). This community is also characterized by Pholoe sp., Nephtys hombergii, Nucula nitidosa, Callianassa subterranea and Eudorella truncatula (e.g. Kunitzer et al., 1992). Virgularia mirabilis, Cerianthus lloydii and Chaetopterus variopedatus may be other conspicuous surface features but they do not occur in high numbers in this biotope. Deeper, more muddy sediments may give rise to CMS.AbrNucCor. In areas subject to benthic fisheries disturbance, Arctica islandica (if present) may show scars on their shells (Klein & Witbaard, 1993). (Information taken from the Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland, Version 97.06: Connor et al., 1997a, b).