Biodiversity & Conservation

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

Upper estuary mobile sands with very low fluctuating salinity characterized by the mysid shrimp Neomysis integer and amphipods of the genus Gammarus spp. The harsh physicochemical regime imposed by such environmental conditions in the upper estuary leads to a relatively impoverished community but high densities of the mobile, salinity-tolerant, crustaceans can occur. The biotope is found in the transitional zone between freshwater and brackish environments, relying on the decreased freshwater input during the summer for penetration of the brackish species up-stream. As such this biotope may also contain elements of freshwater communities. It may be found in conjunction with IMU.LimTtub, although it lacks appreciable numbers of oligochaetes. The biotope occurs in a similar habitat to IGS.MobRS although it is more affected by lower salinity. (Information taken from the Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland, Version 97.06: Connor et al., 1997a, b).

Neomysis integer and Gammarus salinus are not benthic species and usually live just above the seabed.