Biodiversity & Conservation

Pioneer saltmarsh.

LS.LMp.Sm

LMU.Sm

Image Steve Morris - LMU.Sm e.g. Salicornia sp. pioneer saltmarsh Image width ca 5 m in foreground.
Image copyright information

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Distribution map

LS.LMp.Sm recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats
  • UK_BAP

Habitat sensitivity

Physical Factors

Click factor name to view rationale Intolerance Recoverability Sensitivity Species Richness Evidence / Confidence
Substratum Loss High High Moderate Decline Very low
Smothering Intermediate High Low Minor decline Very low
Increase in suspended sediment High Moderate Moderate Decline Low
Decrease in suspended sediment
Desiccation Intermediate High Low Minor decline Low
Increase in emergence regime High Moderate Moderate Decline Moderate
Decrease in emergence regime
Increase in water flow rate High Moderate Moderate Decline Low
Decrease in water flow rate
Increase in temperature Low Very high Very low No change Very low
Decrease in temperature
Increase in turbidity Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive No change Not relevant
Decrease in turbidity
Increase in wave exposure High Moderate Moderate Decline Low
Decrease in wave exposure
Noise High Very high Low Minor decline High
Visual Presence High Very high Low Minor decline High
Abrasion & physical disturbance Intermediate High Low Minor decline Very low
Displacement High Moderate Moderate Decline Low

Chemical Factors

Click factor name to view rationale Intolerance Recoverability Sensitivity Species Richness Evidence / Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination High High Moderate Decline Low
Heavy metal contamination Intermediate High Low Decline Low
Hydrocarbon contamination High Low High Decline Moderate
Radionuclide contamination Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient Information Not relevant
Changes in nutrient levels Intermediate High Low Minor decline Very low
Increase in salinity Low Very high Very low No change Very low
Decrease in salinity
Changes in oxygenation Low Very high Very low Minor decline Low

Biological Factors

Click factor name to view rationale Intolerance Recoverability Sensitivity Species Richness Evidence / Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites Insufficient information Insufficient information Insufficient information Not relevant Not relevant
Introduction of non-native species Intermediate High Low Minor decline Very low
Extraction of this species Intermediate High Low No change Very low
Extraction of other species Intermediate High Low No change Very low

This review can be cited as follows:

Tyler-Walters, H. 2001. Pioneer saltmarsh.. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 25/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatsensitivity.php?habitatid=25&code=2004>