# European Red List of Habitats Table

Habitat Type Name:
A5.44 Atlantic upper circalittoral mixed sediments

Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises mixed (heterogeneous) sediment  in the circalittoral zone (generally below 15-20 m). These include areas of well mixed muddy gravelly sands, or very poorly sorted mosaics of shell, cobbles and pebbles, embedded in, or lying upon mud, sand, or gravel. It is fully saline with tidal streams ranging from moderately strong (1-3kn) to negligible. 
A wide range of infaunal polychaetes, bivalves, echinoderms and burrowing anemones, are often present in this habitat and the hard substrata (shells and stones) on the surface enables epifaunal species to become established, particularly hydroids. The combination of epifauna and infauna can lead to species-rich communities.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat mayface; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change overtime.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis.
Characteristic species:
Polychaetes, bivalves, echinoderms and burrowing anemones, such as Cerianthus lloydii: hydroids, such as Nemertesia spp and Hydrallmania falcata. Echinoderms such as Asterias rubens, Amphiura filiformis, and Ophiocomina nigra, may also be common.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of ‘Atlantic circalittoral mixed sediment’ (A5.4).
 
Annex 1:
1110 Sandbanks slightly covered all the time
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral mixed sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow coarse or mixed sediments
 
IUCN:
9.4 Subtidal sandy
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy

Comment EU28:
The area estimate for this habitat has been derived from a synthesis of EUNIS seabed habitat geospatial information for the European Seas, but is recognised as being an underestimate.

Trends in Quantity:
It is difficult to establish the quantity of this habitat as it often has a patchy distribution, grading into other soft sediment habitats, or interspersed amongst rocky areas. Even where the extent of this habitat, or its associated biotopes, has been mapped in detail (e.g. within some Marine Protected Areas) there is a lack of information on trends.

Trends in Quality:
The substantial extent of the likely impact of bottom fishing gears on this habitat throughout the North East Atlantic region is apparent from many studies including analyses which have combined Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data with sensitivity maps of benthic habitats and disturbance caused by surface abrasion for the continental shelf area of the North East Atlantic. An investigation which included the potential effects of trawling on "combination sediments" in the Kattegat. In this location 38% of the area was trawled over a three year study period. Most recently, an analysis of the fishing intensity of EU trawlers (bottom otter, beam and mid-water trawls) using Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship tracking data over one year (2013/2014) shows high coverage in all European coastal waters and over the continental shelf. When combined with the modelled distribution of EUNIS marine habitat types it is possible to examine the extent of likely impact on a particular benthic habitat. For example, over this time period around 30% of this habitat type was subject to trawling fishing pressure in the North Sea, with just under 10% of this being interpreted a high or moderate pressure. When combining data for the North Sea and Celtic Sea just over 50% of this habitat type is considered to have been subject to such fishing pressure.Given that this is based on a single year of data and that this type of pressure has been taking place for decades it is likely to be an underestimate of the total area of this habitat affected by mobile demersal fishing gears.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
This habitat occurs in the EU 28+ (e.g. Norway, Channel Islands). The percentage hosted by EU 28 is therefore less than 100%, but there is insufficient information to establish the proportion.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat has a large natural range in the North East Atlantic region with records from the north of Shetland to the coast of Portugal.

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat has a large natural range in the North East Atlantic region with records from the north of Shetland to the coast of Portugal.

Pressures and Threats:
This habitat supports infaunal species that are extremely vulnerable to substratum loss, abrasion and physical disturbance from dredging and trawling activities.  Mobile demersal fishing gears (such as otter trawls and beam trawls) disturb the upper layers of the sediment and damage both the associated epifauna and shallow infalunal communities. Associated increases in suspended sediments may also have a smothering effect on filter feeders. The degree of any damage will depend on the gear, frequency of use and species present. Frequent trawling may lead to a permanently altered community dominated by fast growing scavenger/predator species.  In addition, activities such as construction works that alter current flow will have a significant impact on both infaunal and epifaunal community structure. A decreased water flow rate will reduce food particle availability, while an increased flow rate, particularly over extended periods, is likely to result in the loss of many species, due to the decrease of organic matter availability.

Conservation and Management:
Beneficial management measures for this habitat include the regulation of fishing methods and the control of other types of activities such as dredging and depositing sediment which may damage or disturb seabed communities or change the hydrological conditions.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1:
1110: MATL U2,  MMAC U1
1160: MATL U2,  MMAC FV

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Habitats on mosaics of muds, sands and gravel are belived to have a high recovery rate following disturbance by abrasion and displacement.

Summary:
This habitat occurs in mixed (heterogeneous) sediment in the circalittoral zone and includes well mixed muddy gravelly sands, or very poorly sorted mosaics of shell, cobbles and pebbles, embedded in, or lying upon mud, sand, or gravel. A wide range of infaunal polychaetes, bivalves, echinoderms and burrowing anemones are often present in this habitat and the hard substrata (shells and stones) on the surface enables epifaunal species to become established, particularly hydroids. The combination of epifauna and infauna can lead to species-rich communities.
Abrasion and physical disturbance from dredging and trawling activities are the predominant threats to the infaunal communities associated with this habitat. The infaunal communities of this habitat are extremely vulnerable to substratum loss, abrasion and physical disturbance from dredging and trawling activities. Such activity, which is known to degrade the quality of habitats associated with mixed substrates, has been widespread, for more than a century across the North East Atlantic region and particularly intensive in the North Sea and Celtic Sea. Beneficial management measures include the control of activities such as demersal fishing, dredging and depositing sediment which result in abrasion, smothering and physical disturbance or removal of seabed communities or change the hydrological conditions. Removal of such threats can also provide opportunities for habitat recovery.

References:
Connor, D.W., Allen, J.H., Golding, N. et al. 2004. The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version 04.05 JNCC. [online] Peterborough: ISBN 1 861 07561 8. Available at: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/04_05_introduction.pdf. (Accessed: 30/08/2014).
Eigaard Ole R. et al. “Estimating seabed pressure from demersal trawls, seines, and dredges based on gear design and dimensions” ICES J. Mar. Sci., doi = 10.1093/icesjms/fsv099.
European Environment Agency. 2014. EUNIS habitat type hierarchical view. Available at: http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats-code-browser.jsp. (Accessed: 05/01/2016).
Hiscock, K. & Oakley, J. 2005. English channel towed sledge seabed images. Phase 2: Analysis of selected tow images. Report to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee from the Marine Biological Association. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association. JNCC Conract F90-01-784
MarLIN (Marine Life Information Network). 2015. MarLIN - The Marine Life Information Network. Available at: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitats. (Accessed: 05/01/2016).
Nilsson, P. & Ziegler, F. 2006. Spatial distribution of fishing effort in relation to seafloor habitats in the Kattegat, a GIS analysis. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.17(4):421-440. 
Rosenberg, R. 2014. Striking centuary-long changes in marine benthos. Journal of Environmental Protection 5: 1316-1322.
Tempera, F. 2015. Bringing together harmonized EUNIS seabed habitat geospatial information for the European SeasJRC Technical report. EUR 27237.
Vespe M, Gibin M, Alessandrini A, Natale F, Mazzarella F, & Osio G. in press. Mapping EU fishing activities using ship tracking data – accepted for publication, Journal of Maps – available at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1603.03826

Criterion C/D Text:
Most sedimentary benthic systems on the continental shelf of Europe have been modified by fishing activity in the last 100 years and this remains a significant pressure. A recent analysis of the fishing intensity of EU trawlers (bottom otter, beam and mid-water trawls) using Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship tracking data over one year (2013/2014) shows high coverage in all European coastal waters and over the continental shelf. When combined with the modelled distribution of EUNIS marine habitat types it is possible to examine the extent of likely impact on a particular benthic habitat. For example, over this time period around 30% of this habitat type was subject to trawling fishing pressure in the North Sea, with just under 10% of this being interpreted a high or moderate pressure. When combining data for the North Sea and Celtic Sea just over 50% of this habitat type is considered to have been subject to such fishing pressure.
Expert opinion is that there is likely to have been a substantial reduction in quality of this habitat - an intermediate decline in quality affecting more than 50% of this habitat in the North East Atlantic region although it is also possible that more than 30% has been subject to a severe decline. This will depend on factors such as the intensity and frequency of disturbance. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria C/D for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a large natural range in the North East Atlantic. A combination of survey data and modelling indicates that it does not have a restricted geographical distribution nor occur in only a few locations in the North East Atlantic and therefore qualifies as Least Concern under criterion B.
Most sedimentary benthic systems on the continental shelf of Europe have been modified by fishing activities, particularly bottom trawls and dredging, in the last 100 years and this habitat remains under fishing pressure. Disturbance of the substratum due to intensive fishing activities using bottom trawls or dredges can damage or modify infaunal communities, with burrowing echinoderms and bivalves being particularly vulnerable and therefore affect habitat quality. Data for a single year (2013/2014) has revealed that just over 50% of this habitat in the North Sea and Celtic Sea was subject to fishing pressure by bottom otter, beam and mid-water trawls.Given that this is based on a single year of data, and that this type of
pressure has been taking place for decades, it is likely to be an underestimate of the total area of this habitat which has been subject to such pressure. Cumulative impacts are therefore also likely to have occurred.
Expert opinion is that there has been a substantial reduction in quality of this habitat, most likely an intermediate decline affecting more than 50% of its extent although it is clear that in some locations there has also been a severe decline. The severity will depend on factors such as the intensity and frequency of disturbance. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable for both the EU 28 and EU 28+ because of both past and likely continuing declines in quality.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.38 Communities of Mediterranean infralittoral muddy detritic bottoms

Habitat Description:
This habitat develops in areas where a detritus bottom is covered with mud formed by terrigenous deposits from rivers. The sediment is a very muddy sand or sandy mud, or even a rather compacted mud, rich in shell debris or volcanic fragments (scoriae); sedimentation is slow enough to allow the development of sessile epifauna. Gravel, sand and mud are mixed in varying quantities, but mud always predominates. In some geographical areas, this habitat is characterized by facies with the brittlestar Ophiothrix quinquemaculata (Ophiuroidea) that extends to the circalittoral. This species in some places forms an extremely dense population which is almost 90% ophiuran.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis.
Characteristic species:
Brittle star: Ophiothrix quinquemaculata; Polychaete: Phyloaricia foetida, Paradoneis lyra; Gastropods: Cerithium vulgatum, C. rupestre, Bivalve: Ruditapes decussatus; Crustaceans: Upogebia pusilla, Clibanarius misanthropus; Sipunculid: Golfingia vulgaris.

Classification:
EUNIS:
Level 4 of the EUNIS classification (v1405). A sub-habitat of Sublittoral mud (A5.3).
 
Annex 1:
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral mud
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow muds
 
IUCN:
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy

Trends in Quantity:
The extent of this habitat is still poorly known, and the studies conducted have mostly focused on the description of the benthic assemblages in relation to sediment characteristics. Trends in quantity are therefore unknown.

Trends in Quality:
This habitat is directly subject to various anthropogenic impacts resulting from urban, industrial, agricultural, aquaculture and other coastal activities. The continental shelf area in the EU Mediterranean countries is almost all subject to a high intensity of trawled gear fishing increasing on an east to west gradient with the highest intensity and extent in the Adriatic Sea. Fishing in general, and the use of bottom towed fishing gears in particular, pose ephemeral or permanent threats to this biotope, depending on the relative vulnerability of the present species.  Aquaculture had negative impacts on muddy habitats, with pathogenic benthic bacteria density increasing in relation to organic enrichment due to fish farms. Some studies have shown that fish farm derived particulate N waste could be traced in benthic invertebrates over distances of several km from the fish farm, while many studies showed that deposition of sediments had negative effects. In addition, many studies have shown that combined impacts of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in associated assemblages. As all other analysis conducted within this zone showed that human activities had significant negative and that severe degradation is an ongoing process, it is reasonable to assume that quality of this habitat has declined in the majority of areas of the Mediterranean.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
It is unknown how much of this habitat lies within the EU 28 but it does occur in the EU 28+.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat has an EOO that exceeds 50,000 km2.

Pressures and Threats:
Studies conducted within this zone showed that the combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in the associated species assemblages. This habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), demersal fisheries, contamination of sediments and biota by inputs of hazardous compounds and episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping).

Conservation and Management:
There are a variety of fisheries regulations that are relevant to the conservation of this habitat type. In particular the use of towed gears (trawls, dredges etc,) has recently been prohibited within 3 nautical miles of the coast or within the 50 m isobath where that depth is reached at a shorter distance from the coast. Spatial planning, regulation of discharges to the marine environment and marine protected areas may also benefit this habitat. Direct engagement of stakeholders in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, will be essential for the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Summary:
This habitat type develops in areas where a detritus bottom is covered with mud formed by terrigenous deposits from rivers. In some geographical areas, this habitat is characterized by facies with the brittlestar Ophiothrix quinquemaculata (Ophiuroidea) that extends to the circalittoral zone. 
Studies conducted within this zone showed that combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in associated assemblages, and this habitat is especially prone to impacts from coastal pollution, coastal zone development, fisheries, contamination of sediments and episodic perturbations.  Some fisheries legislation for this whole zone in general exist, but management measures aimed at this particular habitat conservation are not in place. Spatial planning, regulation of discharges to the marine environment and marine protected areas may also benefit this habitat. Direct engagement of stakeholders in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina M.F., Gambi, M. C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Delo, E.A. and Ockenden, M.C. 1992. Estuarine Muds Manual. HR Wallingford Report, SR 309. 64 pp.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens. 
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Micu, D. and Micu, S. 2004. A new type of macrozoobenthic community from the rocky bottoms of the Black Sea. In: International Workshop on the Black Sea Benthos, Öztürk, B., Mokievsky, V.O. and TopaloÄŸlu, B. (Eds.). 18-23 April 2004 Istanbul, Turkey. TÜDAV publication no. 20: 244 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G. Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split. 
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens. 
Vespe M, Gibin M, Alessandrini A, Natale F, Mazzarella F, & Osio G. in press. Mapping EU fishing activities using ship tracking data – accepted for publication, Journal of Maps – available at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1603.03826

Criterion A Text:
The extent of this habtiat is still poorly known, and the studies conducted have mostly focused on the description of the benthic assemblages in relation to sediment characteristics. Trends in quantity are therefore unknown. This habtiat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria A.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large natural range in the Mediterranean region. The precise extent is unknown however as EOO >50,000km2  , this exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. AOO is unknown. This habitat is believed to have had a decline in quality but trends in quantity are unknown. The distribution of the habitat is such that the identified threats are unlikely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B1(a,b) and Data Deficient for all other criteria.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat is directly subject to various anthropogenic impacts resulting from urban, industrial, agricultural, aquaculture and other coastal activities as well as demersal fishereis. The  analysis conducted within this zone showed that human activities had a substantial reduction on this habitat and that severe degradation is an ongoing process, and so it is reasonable to assume that quality of this habitat has severly declined in majority areas of the Mediterranean (intermediate declining affecting at least 50% of the habitat extent). This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria C/D1.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a large natural range in the Mediterranean region. The precise extent is unknown however as EOO >50,000km2 , this exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. The AOO is unknown and trends in the extent are also unknown at present. This habitat is directly subject to various anthropogenic impacts resulting from urban, industrial, agricultural, aquaculture and other coastal activities as well as the impact of demersal fishing gears. The analysis conducted within this zone showed that human activities had a substantial reduction on this habitat and that severe degradation is an ongoing process, and so it is reasonable to assume that quality of this habitat has severly declined in the majority of areas of the Mediterranean (intermediate declining affecting at least 50% of the habitat extent). This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria C/D1.


Habitat Type Name:
A2.31 Communities of Mediterranean mediolittoral mud estuarine

Habitat Description:
In Mediterranean estuaries tidal amplitude is very weak and tidal currents, which generate vertical mixing of the water, are negligible. This favors vertical stratification of salinity with a counter current of saline water beneath the less dense river water.(salt wedge estuaries). The small tidal range (20-40cms) also means that large expanses of mediolittoral soft sediments along estuaries are rare, especially when compared to more northern latitudes in Europe. 
This habitat is present on estuarine shores of soft substrates, generally under substantial freshwater influence, and may form a delta at the mouth of the estuary. It occurs in the mediolittoral and the upper part of the infralittoral where the sediment is fine sand, muddy sands and mud according to the course of the river bed. The banks are relatively stable, but the beds change with the violent winter flooding. The surface salinity is low (0.03 to 2.5 psu for the Rhône) whereas that of the deep layer, in contact with the benthic fauna, is much higher (16 to 21 psu for the Rhône). A marine salty patch typically lies underneath the fresh water of the river. Tides are weak and only cause minor changes in the water chemistry. The winds have a more marked influence on the position of the salty patch. When parts of the estuary or estuary lagoons are cut off, either naturally or by human action, the salinity of the water may increase considerably.
In the absence of the tide effect, the transition is rapid between the (freshwater) limnic environment and the marine environment. Thus there is no gradient in the distribution of the fauna, which occurs patchily. This habitat is characterized by communities of polychaetes, bivalves and oligochaetes. The species present are typically have short cycles of development that permit rapid colonization. The habitat is used as a feeding area by birds and by some fishes (grey mullet and eels). 
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time. 
Indices developed to assess the ecological status of coastal waters, including estuaries, according to the Water Framework Directive, include physical indicators, water quality indicators and measures of benthic diversity, species richness and abundance. The latter group, which is particularly relevant to benthic habitats, includes a Benthic Quality Index, an Infaunal Trophic Index, a Marine Biotic index based on ecological groups, and the Benthic Opportunistic Polychaetes/Amphipods Index.
Species typical of environments with high organic loads such as Capitella capitata, Heteromastus filiformis and Polydora spp. may be potential indicators of degraded quality. Indicators used within the Water Framework Directive may also be applied for estuarine habitats as a whole. 
Characteristic species:
These include polychaetes: Armandia cirrosa, Capitella capitata, Hediste diversicolor, Heteromastus filiformis, Hydroides dianthus, Malacoceros fuliginosus, Naineris laevigata, Nephtys hombergii, Protoaricia oerstedii; bivalves: Abra alba, Abra ovata, Cerastoderma glaucum; gastropods: Ecrobia ventrosa, Loripes lucinalis, Mytilaster minimus, Ruditapes decussatus; larval stages of arthropod Chironomus spp.; crustaceans: Corophium insiduosum, Corophium volutator,  Iphinoe serrata,  Abludomelita aculeata,  Microdeutopus gryllotalpa.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Littoral mud (A2.3).
 
Annex 1:
1130 Estuaries
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
 
MSFD:
Littoral sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Not mapped.
 
IUCN:
9.10 Estuaries
 
Barcelona convention.
II.1.1 Biocenosis of muddy sands and muds

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Estuarine mud habitats are not characteristic of the Mediterranean as they are not particularly common mediolittoral habitats.

Map Description:
There are insufficient data to provide a comprehensive and accurate map of the distribution of this habitat.This map has been generated using EMODnet data from modelled/surveyed records for the Mediterranean (and supplemented with expert opinion where applicable) (EMODnet 2010). EOO and AOO have been calculated on the available data presented in this map however these should be treated with caution as expert opinion is that this is not the full distribution of the habitat.

Trends in Quantity:
Around two thirds of the Mediterranean coastline is urbanized, with this fraction exceeding 75% in the regions with the most developed industries. Close to the shoreline this frequently involves the construction of artificial structures, mainly groynes and breakwaters, seawalls and jetties, along naturally low sediment shores such as those typically of estuaries. In some regions, the growth of cities, tourism and industry mean that up to 90% of the coastline has been developed.  Detailed mapping of coastal habitats along some sections of coast have also provide information on quantity. One example is along the Catalonia coast (Spain) where infralittoral estuarine muddy sands and mediolittoral muddy sands were the dominant habitats along 53 km out of 1110 km of coastline.
Historical as well as recent coastal development has resulted in loss of estuarine habitat by impoundment and drainage in both small and large estuarine systems. S'Albufera-Alcudia Bay on the island of Mallorca, for example, has been affected by
human activities since the second half of the 19th century when drainage programme was instituted, whilst the estuarine environment of the Ebro, particuarly around the delta has changed very significantly since the beginning of the 16th century.
Deltas are naturally dynamic features subject to accretion and erosion over both short and long time scales. Their low-lying terrain makes them suitable for construction of dwellings, arable land, freshwater resources and easy access to the sea so they have also been subject to considerable human-induced change. There are numerous examples of human intervention having a negative impact on this habitat.  In the case of the Ebro delta, it is possible to trace its evolution from 2000 BC and show how the position and size of the delta has altered in response to sediment deposition, erosion, floods, the construction of dams and drainage schemes. Effects on smaller deltaic areas which support this habitat are also plentiful. In Greece, for example the construction of dams, along the rivers Axios and Aliakmon and an extensive irrigation network over the Thessaloniki Plain has resulted in a dramatic reduction in sediment supply to the deltaic coastal plain in the inner Thermaikos Gulf in the NW Aegean Sea since the mid-1950s.
Damming has had a major affect. For some southern European rivers (e.g. Ebro, Douro, Urumea, Rhone), the annual volume of sediment discharge represents less than 10% of their level of 1950; for the Ebro this is even less than 5%. This results in a considerable sediment deficit at the river mouth, and subsequent erosion downstream as illustrated in Ebro delta, Playa Gross, Petite Camargue (Rhone delta) and Vagueira. 
The urbanization of the Mediterranean coast is predicted to continue at a rate of around 10-20%  for most Mediterranean countries. The current trend for this habitat is therefore one of decreasing quantity.

Trends in Quality:
Trends in quality can be difficult to determine as there are local variations linked to the topography which causes a differential distribution of the various types of sediment. There have however been significant changes associated with human activity, most dramatically where there has been total loss of this habitat through drainage, impoundment and loss of sediment supply. 
Pollution has also been an issue with significant concentrations of some herbicides reported in the areas of the Ebro delta on the Eastern Coast of Spain, the Rhone delta in the South of France, the River Po, Italy/the Northern Adriatic Sea, the Thermaikos and Amvrakikos Gulfs in Greece although of a historical nature.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
This habitat is present in both the EU 28 and EU 28+. The percentage in each is unknown although the majority is likely to be within the EU 28 because of the distribution of estuaries in the western and eastern Mediterranean.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO exceeds 50,000 km2.

Justification of Restricted Area:
Estuarine habitats are intrinsically restricted however this habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO is greater than 50,000 km2.

Pressures and Threats:
Significant anthropogenic pressures affecting estuaries are industrial waste water, urban sewage effluents, agriculture and farmland runoff. These activities cause an excess of nutrients, increase the organic matter loads and may promote the accumulation of dangerous pollutants in the sediment, such as heavy metals, toxic compounds and hydrocarbon substances. Coastal development has resulted in direct loss of habitat and alteration to the natural flow regime, for example through the construction of dams, drainage channels and water abstraction which have had a major affect on some estuaries by altering sediment transport, flushing and the stability of water column stratification.

Conservation and Management:
This habitat occurs in some protected areas. Beneficial conservation measures include regulating discharges to improve water quality, managing fisheries, establishing protected areas, coastal zone planning including zoning of developments, and whole estuary management including regulation of water abstraction from the river system and other activities which affect the hydrological regime. Direct engagement of stakeholders in the planning of the management process, and analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Unknown. Some of the associated species are able to recolonise rapidly, however where land claim has taken place, recovery will not be possible.

Summary:
This habitat occurs on estuarine shores of fine sediment, where littoral mud may form mudflats, especially in the shelter of the estuary where deposition of fine sediments is constant. Where the tidal currents are faster than flood tides, most sediments deposit to form a delta at the mouth of the estuary. The sediment is fine sand, muddy sands and mud according to the course of the river bed. There is a small tidal range in  the Mediterranean and when parts of the estuary are cut off, either naturally or by human action, the salinity of the water may increase considerably. In the absence of the tide effect, the transition is rapid between the (freshwater) limnic environment and the marine environment so there is no gradient in the distribution of the fauna, which occurs patchily. This habitat is characterized by communities of polychaetes, bivalves and oligochaetes and is used as a feeding area by birds and by some fishes (grey mullet and eels). 
Estuaries are particularly and directly subject to various human activities. Thus, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), construction of dams, drainage and abstraction schemes, contamination of sediments and biota, and episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping). Beneficial conservation measures include regulating discharges to improve water quality, managing fisheries, establishing protected areas, coastal zone planning including zoning of developments, and whole estuary management including regulation of water abstraction from the river system and other activities which affect the hydrological regime.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceeedings of the VI Symposium of the Association of Italian Oceanology and Limnology (AIOL): 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan-Santini, D., Bellan, G., Bitar, G. et al. 2002 Handbook for interpreting types of marine habitats for the selection of sites to be included in the national inventories of natural sites of conservation interest. UNEP Action Plan for the Mediterranean. Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas. 217pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Borja, A., Franco, J. & Perez, V 2000. A Marine biotic index to establish the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthos within European estuarine and coastal environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 40(12):1100-1114.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A. S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I.: Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. Luxembourg: OPOCE.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. Luxembourg: OPOCE.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA. (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Ibáñez, C., A. Rodrigues-Capítulo and N. Prat. – 1995. The combined impacts of river regulation and eutrophication on the dynamics of the salt wedge and the ecology of the lower Ebro River. In The ecological basis for river management, ed. D. Harper and A. Ferguson, 105-114. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, UK.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
Kapsimalis, V., Poulos, S.E., Karageorgis, A.P. et al., 2005 Recent evolution of a Mediterranean deltaic coastal zone: human impacts on the Inner Thermaikos Gulf, NW Aegean Sea. Journal of the Geological Society of London. 162:897-908.
Mariani, S., Cefali, M.D. Terradas, M. et al., 2014 Using catenas for GIS-based mapping of NW Mediterranean littoral habitats. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 147:56-67.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Muxika, I., Borga, A. & Bald, J. 2007. Using historical data, expert judgement and multivariate analysis in assessing reference conditions and benthic ecological status according to the European Water Framework Directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin 55:16-29.
Nebra, A., Caiola, N. Muñoz-Camarillo, G. et al., 2014. Towards a suitable ecological status assessment of highly stratified Mediterranean estuaries: A comparison of benthic invertebrate fauna indices. Ecological Indicators. 46:177-187.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G. Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Sarda, R., Martin, D., Pinedo, S., Dueso, A. and Cardell, M. J. 1995. Seasonal dynamics of shallow soft-bottom communities in western Mediterranean. In: Biology and Ecology of Shallow Coastal Waters. Eleftheriou, A., Ansell A.D. and Smith, C. J. (Eds.). Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg. pp191-198.
Sardá, F., Pinedo, S. and Martin, D. 1999. Seasonal dynamics of macroinfaunal key species inhabiting shallow soft-bottoms in the Bay of Blanes (NW Mediterranean). Acta Oecologica (Montrouge) 20(4): 315-326.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.

Criterion A Text:
Expert opinion is that the area of mediolittoral estuarine habitats in the Mediterranean is considered likely to have declined significantly in the recent past. These declines are associated with coastal development and urbanisation as well as damming of rivers which altered the hydrographic conditions, in particular water flow and sediment transport. Such losses have been documented in some but not all situations. These pressures and trends are predicted to continue.
Although quantitative data are lacking expert opinion is that it is reasonable to presume that this habitat has suffered large declines in surface area of more than 50% over the last 50 years given the loss of mediolittoral habitats and the particular pressure on estuarine environments. No estimate has been made of historical declines although these are known to have occurred. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Endangered under criteria A1 and A2 for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large natural range and patchy distribution in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean. It is considered likely to have a continuing decline in quantity, however as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO >50, this exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. The distribution of the habitat is such that the identified threats are unlikely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
There is insufficient information to quantify any trends in quality of this habitat although a decline is believed to have taken place associated with loss of habitat and degraded water quality. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria C/D.

Criterion E Text:
There is no quantitative analysis available to estimate the probability of collapse of this habitat type. It is therefore assessed as Data Deficient under criterion E.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a wide range in the Mediterranean being present in all the sub-basins. It is considered likely to have declined significantly in extent in the recent past due to coastal development and urbanisation as well as the damming of rivers which has altered the hydrographic conditions and particularly the erosion and accretion of deltas where this habitat occurs.
There is a lack of quantiative data however expert opinion is that this habitat has suffered a decline in quantity of around 50% in the last 50 years. The pressures leading to these changes are predicted to continue therefore a continuing decline is likely. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Endangered for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.6w Mediterranean infralittoral oyster beds

Habitat Description:
Infralittoral oyster beds on rocky and soft bottoms comprised mainly by the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis with densities of 5 or more per m2. The oysters cement themself to the substratum and can form a dense cover. They may be found as individuals or clusters attached to rock surfaces, on other shelled animals like the endemic noble shell (Pinna nobilis) or on coarse sandy bottoms. The diet of oysters consists of phytoplankton and detritus filtered from the surrounding water. More frequently they can be found close to river mouth areas or estuaries and sheltered bays. There are three distinct habitat components; the interstices within the oyster matrix; the biodeposits beneath the bed; and the substratum afforded by the oyster shells themselves. A diverse range of epibiota and infauna often exists in these parts of the habitat.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. Presence and abundance of the oyster will be a key indicator of this habitat.
Characteristic species:
Dense aggregations of the European oyster and/or the Pacific oyster. The oysters are often encrusted with barnacles and/or bryozoans. Gastropod molluscs such as species of the families Muricidae (e.g the European oyster driller Ocenebra erinaceus, the rock-shell Stramonita haemastoma ) feed on oysters by drilling them and digesting the oyster flesh. Bryozoans, polychaetes of several genera, and copepods also live in the assemblage. Due to the intensive introduction of non-native oyster species Crassostrea gigas for cultivation in the Mediterranean, several invasive species have been introduced.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405).
Level 4.  A sub-habitat of Infralittoral Biogenic Reefs (A5.6). 
 
Annex 1:
1170 Reefs
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral rock and biogenic reef 

EUSeaMap:
Shallow photic rock or biogenic reef. 
 
IUCN:
9.4 Subtidal sandy
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
This is a rare habitat in the Mediterranean.

Trends in Quantity:
There is limited quantified information on the historical extent of this habitat. but they are known to have covered a large part of the coastal zone, especially near river mouths, closed bays and other suitable areas in previous centuries. The intensive exploitation of the oyster beds along with the cultivation and the introduction of non-native species for cultivation have resulted in a dramatic decline in the extent of this habitat - in some cases leading to the extinction of natural beds. 
There is an ongoing decline due to the intensive exploitation, the introduction of non-native oysters for cultivation and along with these the introduction of non-native species that threaten the native oyster (virus, bacteria, hunters).

Trends in Quality:
The quality of this habitat has declined over past centuries. More recently  the introduction of non-native oysters for cultivation has had both direct and indirect effects (competion and the introduction of virusus and bacteria on the quality of oyster beds.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Most but not all of the known location of this habtiat are hosted by the EU 28 counties in the Mediterranean.

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO exceeds 50,000 km2 .

Pressures and Threats:
This habitat has been affected harvesting as well as by intensive agriculture and its practises which have resulted in reduced water quality and eutrophication as discharges from the agriculture plains flow in the sea.  Intensive fish farming can lead to degradation and loss of oyster beds due to the heavy loads of organics from waste food and faecal matter. Low oxygen concentration and bacterial mats are additional pressures in these situations. The introduction of non-native oysters for cultivation and along with these the introduction of non-native species that threaten the native oyster (virus, bacteria, hunters) and in the future climate change is a pressure on this habitat.

Conservation and Management:
The remaining natural beds are very few, scattered through the European Mediterranean countries. Whenever these are exploited, this has to be regulated through intervention measures (changes in the extent and amount of the extracted oysters per year or bans on extraction for a long period). Detailed mapping of the extent of the natural mussel beds is lacking and should be a priority for the countries that host this habitat.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Recovery times from over exploitation and other causes of damage have been estimated to take up to 20 years.

Summary:
Infralittoral oyster beds on rocky and soft bottoms comprised mainly by the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis with densities of 5 or more per m2. The oysters cement themself to the substratum and can form a dense cover. They may be found as individuals or clusters attached to rock surfaces, on other shelled animals. This habitat has been affected harvesting as well as by reduced water quality and eutrophication as discharges from the agriculture plains flow in the sea.  Intensive fish farming and the introduction of non-native oysters for cultivation and along with viruses and bacteria that threaten the native oyster are other threats. Cimate change is a future pressure on this habitat.  
The remaining natural beds are very few, scattered through the European Mediterranean countries. Whenever these are exploited, this has to be regulated through intervention measures (changes in the extent and amount of the extracted oysters per year or bans on extraction for a long period). Detailed mapping of the extent of the natural mussel beds is lacking and should be a priority for the countries that host this habitat. Also study of the structure and biotic/abiotic characteristics and the identification of the factors that drive the reduction of the natural beds, their extent and biotic/abiotic characteristics will be beneficial.

References:
Airoldi, L., Bacchiocchi, F., Cagliola, C., Bulleri, F. and Abbiati, M. 2005. Impact of recreational harvesting on assemblages in artificial rocky habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series 299: 55-66.
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Askew, C. 1987. Shellfish cultivation in greece. FI:DP/GRE/85/002, Field Document 6, November 1987. Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations.
Beck, M.W., Brumbaugh, R.D., Airoldi, L., Carranza, A., Coen, L.D., Crawford, C., Defeo, O., Edgar, G.J., Hancock, B., Kay, M.C., Lenihan, H.S., Luckenbach, M.W., Toropova, C.L., Zhang, G. and Guo, X. 2011. Oyster reefs at risk and recommendations for conservation, restoration, and management. BioScience 61(2): 107-116.
Benovic, A. 1997. The history, present condition, and future of the molluscan fisheries of Croatia. In: The history, present condition, and future of the molluscan fisheries of north and Central America and Europe, vol 3, Europe. MacKenzie, C.L. Jr., Burrell, V.G. Jr., Rosenfield, A. and Hobart, W.L. (Eds.). NOAA Technical Report NMFS 129. US Department of Commerce. pp 217-226.
Blanchard, M. 1996. Spread of the slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata (L., 1758) in Europe. Current state and consequences. Scientia Marina 61(2): 109-118.
EUNIS habitat type hierarchical view [online]. Available at: http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats-code-browser.jsp (Accessed: 05/01/2016).
Giacobbe, S. 2012. Biodiversity loss in Sicily transitional waters: the molluscs of Faro Lake. Biodiversity Journal 3(4): 501-510.
Heral, M. 1992. Traditional oyster culture in France. In: Seminar and study tour on molluscs culture. Nantes/Sète, June 9-18 1992. MEDRAP II RAB/89/005-RER/87/009 Field Document 92/16.
Launey, S., Ledu, C., Boudry, P., Bonhomme, F. and Naciri-Graven, Y. 2002. Geographic structure in the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L.) as revealed by microsatellite polymorphism. Journal of Heredity 93(5): 331-351. doi:10.1093/jhered/93.5.331
Narcisi, V., Arzul, I., Cargini, D., Mosca, F., Calzetta, A., Traversa, D., Robert, M., Joly, J.P., Chollet, B., Renault, T. and Tiscar, P.G. 2010. Detection of Bonamia ostreae and B. exitiosa (Haplosporidia) in Ostrea edulis from the Adriatic Sea (Italy). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 89: 79-85.
Ramon, M., Cano, J., Pena, J.B. and Campos, M.J. 2005. Current status and perspectives of mollusk (bivalves and gastropods) culture in the Spanish Mediterranean. Boletim do Instituto Espanol Oceanografico 21: 361-373.
Svåsand, T., Crosetti, D., García-Vázquez, E. and Verspoor, E. (Eds.). 2007. Genetic impact of aquaculture activities on native populations. Genimpact final scientific report (EU contract n. RICA-CT-2005-022802). 176 pp. http://genimpact.imr.no/
Virvilis, C. and Angelidis, P. 2006. Presence of the parasite Marteilia sp. in the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L) in Greece. Aquaculture 259(1-4): 1-5. ISSN 0044-8486, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2006.05.008.
Zavodnik, D. 1997. Non-conventional seafood sources at the eastern Adriatic Sea markets. In: Thousand years from first mention of fisheries in Croats (in Croatian). Finka, B. (Ed.). Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Zagreb. pp 637-656.

Criterion A Text:
The intensive exploitation of the oyster beds along with the cultivation and the introduction of non-native species for cultivation have resulted in a dramatic historical decline in the extent of this habitat - in some cases leading to the extinction of natural beds. There is an ongoing decline however the extent of this cannot be quantified. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria A1 and A2. Expert opinion is that the historical reductions are likely to have exceeded 70% therefore this habitat has been assessed as Endangered under criteria A3.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large natural range in the Mediterranean. The precise extent is unknown however as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO > 50 this exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. There have been historical declines in the quanity and quality of this habitat and this is considered likely to continue. The distribution of the habitat is such that the identified threats are unlikely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under Criteria B.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat is known to have declined in quality over historical time periods. Such trends are likely to continue as the pressures remain however the extent cannot be quantified. This habitat is therefore assessed as Data Deficient under criteria C/D.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a widespread distribution in the Mediterranean but is thought to only be present in the EU 28. There is a lack of quantifiable date on trends in the extent and quality of this habitat however it is known to have declined very significantly since the last century. Although there are significant data deficiencies, expert opinion is that this habtiat should be assessed as Endangered for both the EU 28 and EU 28+ on the basis of historical decline.


Habitat Type Name:
A2.12 Communities of Mediterranean mediolittoral coarse sediment estuarine

Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises shores of coarse sediments (shingle, gravels and coarse sand) in the upper reaches of estuaries and other inlets which are subject to variable and reduced salinity conditions. The outflow of riverine freshwater at the heads of the inlets results in the washing out of fine particulate matter, leaving coarse sediments. This habitat is typically covers small areas and exhibit a great variability of physical and chemical parameters. It is a species-poor habitat and the fauna characterised by oligochaete worms.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
Indices developed to assess the ecological status of coastal waters, including estuaries, according to the Water Framework Directive, include physical indicators, water quality indicators and measures of benthic diversity, species richness and abundance. The latter group, which is particularly relevant to benthic habitats, includes a Benthic Quality Index, an Infaunal Trophic Index, a Marine Biotic index based on ecological groups, and the Benthic Opportunistic Polychaetes/Amphipods index.
Characteristic species:
Poorly studied but known to include Oligochaetes such as Grania spp. and the gastropod Littorina littorea.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Littoral coarse sediment (A2.1).
 
Annex 1:
1130 Estuaries
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters 
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Littoral sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Not mapped
 
IUCN:
9.10 Estuaries
12.3 Shingle and/ or pebble shoreline and/ or Beaches

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Areas of coarse sediment are unusual rather than typical of estuarine areas.

Map Description:
This habitat occurs in all the sub-basins of the Mediterranean but there are insufficient data to produce a map of its distribution.

Comment EU28:
This habitat is present in all the Mediterranean sub-basins.

Comment EU28+:
This habitat is present in all the Mediterranean sub-basins.

Trends in Quantity:
There are limited estuarine areas in the Mediterranean and there have been declines in quantity associated with urbanization of the Mediterranean coast which has especially impacted deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons. It is reasonable to presume that this habitat has declined however there is insufficient information to quanitify such a trend.
The urbanization of the coast is predicted to continue and therefore this habitat remains under threat.

Trends in Quality:
There are limited estuarine areas in the Mediterranean and there have been declines in quality associated with urbanization and pollution of the Mediterranean coast which has especially impacted deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons. It is reasonable to presume that the quality of this habitat has declined however there is insufficient information to quanitify such a trend.
These pressures are predicted to continue and therefore this habitat remains under threat.

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat does not have a small range however there are very few examples of large rivers with estuaries in the Mediterranean (e.g. Po, Ebro), or of smaller watercourses that form a confined by significant estuary environment with this type of

Pressures and Threats:
Estuaries within the Mediterranean are particularly and directly subject to various human activities. These include coastal pollution and nutrient enrichment (from urban, agricultural, industrial), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), contamination of sediments and biota caused by inputs of hazardous compounds and dredging and dumping of wastes. Coastal development can also alter the flow regime. Coarse sediment habitats in estuaries can be expected to be subject to these same pressures.

Conservation and Management:
Some legal provisions regarding estuaries in general exist, but management measures aimed at this particular habitat conservation are not in place. Beneficial measures include improving water quality and both direct and indirect effects of coastal development. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options,and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The capacity to recover of this habitat is unknown.

Summary:
Shores of coarse sediments (shingle, gravels and coarse sand) in the upper reaches of estuaries and other inlets which are subject to variable and reduced salinity conditions. The outflow of riverine freshwater at the heads of the inlets results in the washing out of fine particulate matter, leaving coarse sediments. This habitat typically covers a comparatively small area and exhibits a great variability of physical and chemical parameters. It is usually a species-poor habitat and the fauna is characterised by oligochaete worms.
Estuaries are particularly and directly subject to various human activities. Thus, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), contamination of sediments and biota, and episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping of wreckages). Beneficial conservation measures include regulating discharges to improve water quality, managing fisheries, establishing protected areas, coastal zone planning including zoning of developments, and whole estuary management including regulation of water abstraction from the river system and other activities which affect the hydrological regime. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceedings of the VI Symposium of the Association of Italian Oceanology and Limnology (AIOL). pp 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Borja, A., Franco, J. & Perez, V 2000. A Marine biotic index to establish the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthos within European estuarine and coastal environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 40(12):1100-1114.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Delo, E.A. and Ockenden, M.C. 1992. Estuarine Muds Manual. HR Wallingford Report, SR 309. 64 pp.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA. (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Muxika, I., Borga, A. & Bald, J. 2007. Using historical data, expert judgement and multivariate analysis in assessing reference conditions and benthic ecological status according to the European Water Framework Directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin 55:16-29.
Nebra, A., Caiola, N. Muñoz-Camarillo, G. et al., 2014. Towards a suitable ecological status assessment of highly stratified Mediterranean estuaries: A comparison of benthic invertebrate fauna indices. Ecological Indicators. 46:177-187.
Readman, J.W., Albanis, T.A., Barcelo, D., Galassi, S., Tronczynski, J. and Gabrielides, G.P. 1993. Herbicide contamination of Mediterranean estuarine waters: Results from a MED POL pilot survey. Marine Pollution Bulletin 26(11): 613-619.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Sarda, R., Martin, D., Pinedo, S., Dueso, A. and Cardell, M.J. 1995. Seasonal dynamics of shallow soft-bottom communities in western Mediterranean. In: Biology and Ecology of Shallow Coastal Waters. Eleftheriou, A., Ansell A.D. and Smith, C.J. (Eds.). Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg. pp 191-198.
Sardá, F., Pinedo, S. and Martin, D. 1999. Seasonal dynamics of macroinfaunal key species inhabiting shallow soft-bottoms in the Bay of Blanes (NW Mediterranean). Acta Oecologia (Montrouge) 20(4): 315-326.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3(2): 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.

Criterion A Text:
There are limited estuarine areas in the Mediterranean and there have been declines in quantity associated with urbanization of the Mediterranean coast which has especially impacted deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons. It is reasonable to presume that this habitat has declined, however there is insufficient information to quanitify such a trend. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criterion A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large natural range in the Mediterranean. The precise extent is unknown, however as  EOO >50,000km2 , this exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. The habitat is believed to have reduced in extent and quality and the pressures, primarily urbanisation and pollution, are predicted to continue. There is insufficient data to derive a comprehensive figure for AOO. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B1a and B1b for both the EU 28 and EU 28+ and Data Deficient for all other criteria.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat is believed to have reduced in qualityover the last 50 years. The pressures, primarily urbanisation and pollution, are predicted to continue, however there is insufficient information to quantify any such trend. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria C/D1.

Synthesis:
This habitat is present in all the Mediterranean sub-basins therefore the EOO exceeds the threshold for threatened status. It is believed to have declined in quality and extent over the last 50 years because of the pressures of urbanisation and pollution in the estuarine environments of the Mediterranean. The widespread distribution suggests this habitat could be assessed as Least Concern under criterion B however, because there is insufficient information to quantify any trends, it has been assessed as Data Deficient for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A2.33 Communities of Mediterranean mediolittoral mud

Habitat Description:
This habitat is present in sheltered inlets and embayments which are not part of major estuarine systems. It may also form in areas that were previously rocky or cobble fields, but where pseudofaeces have accumulated from filter-feeding gastropods, leading to the presence of a thick layer of mud. Such a build up of pseudofaeces results in a bed that is very soft to walk on, and sediment which is anoxic to the surface.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations, e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. 
Characteristic species:
This habitat is characterised by species such as: Polychaetes: Hediste diversicolor, Nephtys hombergii, Goniada emerita, Laonice bahusiensis, Notomastus latericeus; bivalves: Cerastoderma glaucum, Abra alba; gastropods: Hydrobia spp; and crustaceans such as: Monocorophium insidiosum, Gammarus spp.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. . A sub-habitat of Littoral mud (A2.3).
 
Annex 1:
1140 Mudflats & sandflats not covered at low tide
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transtional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Littoral sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Not mapped.
 
IUCN:
9.10 Estuaries
12.4 Mud shoreline and intertidal mud flat
 
Barcelona Convention (RAC/SPA)
II.1.1 Facies of muddy sands and muds

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Although there are areas of mediolittoral muddy sand in the Mediterranean, this habitat is not considered one of the more common habitats of the mediolittoral zone.

Map Description:
There are insufficient data to provide a comprehensive and accurate map of the distribution of this habitat.This map has been generated using EMODnet data from modelled/surveyed records for the western Mediterranean (and supplemented with expert opinion where applicable) (EMODnet 2010). EOO and AOO have been calculated on the available data presented in this map however these should be treated with caution as expert opinion is that this is not the full distribution of the habitat.

Trends in Quantity:
Muddy shores are present but not common in the four sub-basins of the Mediterranean. They are typically found in association with coastal lagoons, and river mouths with the more extensive example including around the deltas of the Ebro (Spain) Rhone (France) and Po (Italy) and smaller, very localised occurrances pockets present in across the region. 
Approximately two-thirds of the Mediterranean coastline is currently urbanized, and in the most industrial regions this increases to 75%. More than 1,500km of coastline is artificial of which 1,250km is developed for harbours and ports. In some regions, the growth of cities, tourism and industry mean that up to 90% of the coastline has been developed. A survey carried out in Italy by the World Wildlife Fund in 1996 revealed that 42.6% of the entire Italian coast was subject to intensive human occupation and only 29% was undeveloped.
The urbanization of the coast is predicted to increase further in the near future by between 10-20% for most Mediterranean countries. 
Considering all the previous facts, it is assumed here that at least 30% of all littoral habitats in the Mediterranean have disappeared. If littoral habitats are evenly distributed across the coast, around 30% of this habitat type could have  been lost over the last 50 years, however it is not possible to quanitfy the scale of loss for this particular habitat. Trends are likely to remain the same in the future.

Trends in Quality:
Every analysis performed in any littoral zone across the Mediterranean showed that human activities had significant negative impacts on all littoral habitats types, and that the pressures do not act in isolation but they often combine at multiple scales. Thus, expert opinion is that the quality of this habitat declined in the Mediterranean. They include changes in the species composition and abundance linked to the effects of nutrient enrichment, altered flow regimes following coast protection works and coastal zone developments.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO is larger than 50,000 km2

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO is larger than 50,000 km2

Pressures and Threats:
As every area in a littoral zone of the Mediterranean Sea, this habitat is being affected by a combination of human activities. These include coastal pollution and nutrient enrichment (from urban, agricultural, industrial), contaminated sediments, coastal zone development and altered flow regimes as a result of coast protection works or modification of river flows.

Conservation and Management:
There are various legal provisions and policies which relate to this habitat such as the ICZM Protocol of from Barcelona Convention. Beneficial measures include improving water quality and both direct and indirect effects of coastal development. Direct engagement of stakeholder in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions. Other measures include better management of waste from industry and urbanisation, improving water quality and establishing marine protected areas and other spatial planning measures.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1:
1140: MMED U2
 
Littoral mud is an Endangered habitat type listed in Annex 1 of the Bern Convention.

Summary:
Muddy shores are present but not common in the four sub-basins of the Mediterranean. They are typically found in association with coastal lagoons,and river mouths. The most extensive examples are found around the deltas of the Ebro (Spain) Rhone (France) and Po (Italy) while smaller, very localised pockets are present across the region. 
Littoral mud typically forms extensive mudflats, though dry compacted mud can form steep and even vertical structures, particularly at the top of the shore adjacent to saltmarshes. This habitat is present in sheltered inlets and embayments which are not part of major estuarine systems or in areas that were previously rocky or cobble fields, but where pseudofaeces from filter feeding gastropods have accumulated. This can lead to the presence of a thick layer of mud. 
Being directly subject to various human activities, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution, coastal zone development, contamination of sediments and altered flow regimes. Direct engagement of stakeholders in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions. Other measures include better management of waste from industry and urbanisation, improving water quality and establishing marine protected areas and other spatial planning measures.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceeedings of the VI Symposium of the Association of Italian Oceanology and Limnology (AIOL). pp 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA. (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Sarda, R., Martin, D., Pinedo, S., Dueso, A. and Cardell, M.J. 1995. Seasonal dynamics of shallow soft-bottom communities in western Mediterranean. In: Biology and Ecology of Shallow Coastal Waters. Eleftheriou, A., Ansell A.D. and Smith, C.J. (Eds.). Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg. pp 191-198.
Sardá, F., Pinedo, S. and Martin, D. 1999. Seasonal dynamics of macroinfaunal key species inhabiting shallow soft-bottoms in the Bay of Blanes (NW Mediterranean). Acta Oecologica (Montrouge) 20(4): 315-326.
Sardá, F.,  Serrano, L., Labrune, C., Gil, J., March, D., Amouroux, J.M., Taboada, S.,  Bonifácio, P., Grémare, A. 2014. Shallow-water polychaete assemblages in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea and its possible use in the evaluation of good environmental state. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 71: 289-301
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.

Criterion A Text:
Due to the high degree of coastal development which has severly impacted the littoral zone in the Mediterranean, expert opinion is that there has been a decline in quantity of this habitat over the last 50 years, and that this trend is likely to continue. However, as there is a lack of information on the extent of this habitat, and no specific data to quantify the decline, it has been assessed as Data Deficient under criterion A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large natural range in the Mediterranean. The precise extent is unknown however as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO >50, this exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. Expert opinion is that there are continuing declines in both quantity and quality of this habitat. The patchy, localised distribution of the habitat is such that the identified threats are unlikely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
General data for quality indicators in littoral area of the Mediterranean show a substantial reduction and expert opinion is that there has been an intermediate decline in over 50% of the Mediterranean. Therefore, this habitat has been assessed as Vulnerable under Criteria C/D1.

Synthesis:
Approximately two-thirds of the Mediterranean coastline is currently urbanized and in the most industrial regions this increases to 75%. This urbanization has especially impacted deltas, estuaries and coastal lagoons, therefore it is reasonable to presume that these habitats have suffered declines in quantity and quality. It has not been possible to quantify this decline therefore this assessment is based on expert opinion. 
This habitat has been assessed as Vulnerable for both the EU 28 and EU 28+ because of an estimated substantial reduction in quality. This is based on an intermediate decline affecting more than 50% of the habitat.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.14 Communities of Mediterranean upper circalittoral coarse sediments

Habitat Description:
This habitat is characterized by tide-swept circalittoral coarse sand, gravel and shingle generally in depths of over 15-20 m. It may be found in tidal channels of marine inlets, along exposed coasts and offshore. As with shallower coarse sediments, it may be characterised by robust infaunal polychaetes, mobile crustacea and bivalves, and by a few ubiquitous robust and/or fast growing ephemeral species which are able to colonise pebbles and unstable cobbles and slates which are regularly moved by wave and tidal action. Bottom currents are moderate to strong.
Indicators of quality:
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, thus both standard biotic and abiotic indicators may be used to describe marine habitat quality. In certain geographical areas this habitat may be under impact of fisheries activities, particularly trawling and dredging, thus the presence of characteristic commercially exploited species may indicate a quality of the habitat. Hence, presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species can also be used as an indicator of habitat quality.
Characteristic species:
Characteristic species are red algae species of the family Corallinaceae; Bivalves: Atrina pectinata, Venus casina, Dosinia exoleta, Donax variegatus, Glycymeris glycymeris, Laevicardium crassum; Echinoderms: Spatangus purpureus; Hydrozoans: Lytocarpia myriophyllum; Polychaetes: Sigalion squamosus, Armandia polyophthalma; Ophiuroids: Ophiopsila annulosa; Echinoids: Spatangus purpureus; and Crustaceans: Anapagurus breviaculeatus, Thia scutellata.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of sublittoral coarse sediment (A5.1)
 
Annex 1:
1110 Sandbanks slightly covered with seawater all the time
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays 
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral coarse sediment
Shallow sublittoral mixed sediment
 
 
EUSeaMap
Shallow coarse or mixed sediments
 
IUCN:
9.4 Subtidal sandy

Trends in Quantity:
Studies revealed that about 45% of the sediments that would be delivered by rivers to the Mediterranean annually are either retained behind dams or extracted from river beds for sand and gravel, leading to an overall deficit of sediments on the coast. On the other hand, in the north Adriatic Sea nutrient load has been increasing since at least 1900 and it markedly intensified after 1930, with a doubling of nutrient loads in the Po river between 1968 and 1980. In the north Adriatic Sea, more than 190 km of artificial structures, mainly groynes and breakwaters, seawalls and jetties, have been built along 300 km of naturally low sedimentary shores. This hardening has caused severe losses and alterations of shallow sedimentary habitats and has introduced new artificial habitats, with dramatic effects on native habitats and assemblages. 
Although it is evident that changes or even a decrease in the quantity of the habitat might have or is occurring, the information at present is insufficient to ascertain if the habtiat is decreasing or it is stable due to alterations in its overall distribution.

Trends in Quality:
Aquaculture and demersal fishing activities are known to have negative effects this habitat type potentially leading to significant decreases in density, richness and diversity in comparison to control areas, and by a shift towards populations of few proliferating species. Although it is stable in some areas, expert opinion is that overall the quality of this habitat is considered to be decreasing across the Mediterranean.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The EOO largely exceeds 50,000 km2. Therefore this habitat does not have a small natural range.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The EOO largely exceeds 50,000 km2. Therefore this habitat does not have a small natural range.

Pressures and Threats:
The major threat in the circalittoral zone is bottom fishing. Fishing with demersal gears disturbs muddy and sandy bottoms, causing dramatic changes in the structure of both the physical support system and the related biological assemblages. It has been noted that trawls and dredges scrape or plough the seabed, resuspend sediment, change grain size and sediment texture, destroy bedforms, and remove or scatter non-target species. To these effects can be added the increase in the amount of suspended nutrients and organic matter. Eutrophic processes may be enhanced leading to hypoxia in sensitive soft bottom areas (as in the northern Adriatic) and the quantity of hydrogen sulphide released from sediments may increase. The re-suspension of sediment enriched in organic matter can eliminate macrophytes, benthos and demersal fish approaching their hypoxia tolerance limit; the changed ecosystem structure favours species adapted or tolerant to hypoxic conditions. Trawling and dredging can also play a role affecting the intensity and duration of naturally occurring seasonal hypoxic crises in some places. In the north Adriatic Sea the first signs of hypoxia started around 1960 and developed into severe anoxic events over the past decades. Sand mining is also a pressure on this habitat is some locations.

Conservation and Management:
Beneficial measures include strengthening fisheries restrictions especially bottom trawling in a network of MPAs; decreasing the sources of eutrophication which would prevent further degradation of the habitat; and monitoring trends.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The capacity of this habitat to recover after being severely damaged is unknown.

Summary:
This habitat is characterised by tide-swept circalittoral coarse sand, gravel and shingle generally in depths of over 15-20 m. It may be found in tidal channels of marine inlets, along exposed coasts and offshore. This biotope, as with shallower coarse sediments, may be characterised by robust infaunal polychaetes, mobile crustacea and bivalves, and by a few ubiquitous robust and/or fast growing ephemeral species which are able to colonise pebbles and unstable cobbles and slates which are regularly moved by wave and tidal action. Bottom currents are moderate to strong.
Fishing with demersal gears disturbs muddy and sandy bottoms, causing dramatic changes in the structure of both the physical support system and the related biological assemblages. To these effects can be added the increase in the amount of suspended nutrients and organic matter. Eutrophic processes may be enhanced leading to hypoxia in sensitive soft bottom areas and the quantity of hydrogen sulphide released from sediments may increase. The re-suspension of sediment enriched in organic matter can eliminate macrophytes, benthos and demersal fish approaching their hypoxia tolerance limit; the changed ecosystem structure favours species adapted or tolerant to hypoxic conditions. Sand mining is also a pressure on this habitat in some locations.
Beneficial measures include strengthening fisheries restrictions especially bottom trawling in a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); decreasing the sources of eutrophication which would prevent further degradation of the habitat; and monitoring trends.

References:
Airoldi, L. 2003. The effects of sedimentation on rocky coast assemblages. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 41: 161-236.
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceedings of the VI Symposium of the Italian Association of Oceanography and Limnology (AIOL): 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina, M.F., Gambi, M. C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Eds.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gabriele, M., Bellot, A., Gallotti, D. and Brunetti, R. 1999. Sublittoral hard substrate communities of the Northern Adriatic Sea. Cahiers de Biologie Marine 40(1): 65-76.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
Stachowitsch, M. 1984. Mass Mortality in the Gulf of Trieste: The Course of Community Destruction. Marine Ecology 5(3): 243-264.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
Vezzulli, L., Chelossi, E., Riccardi, G. and Fabiano, M. 2002. Bacterial community structure and activity in fish farm sediments of the Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Aquaculture International 10: 123-141.

Criterion A Text:
Although this habitat is subject to pressures that may reduce its extent, trends are unknown at the present time. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large EOO and it is known that there are declining trends in quality. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B1a,b. AOO and number of locations are unknown for this habtiat therefore it is assessed as Data Deficient for all other criteria for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat has been subject to declines in quality in some sites but there is a lack of information to determine overall trends or quantify any decline. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under Criterion C/D1.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a large EOO and therefore qualifies as Least Concern under criterion B1. However the habitat is assessed as Data Deficient both at the EU 28 and EU 28+ levels because of the lack of information on trends in quantity and quality and the fact that its overall distribution and AOO is unknown.

Reviewers:
García Criado, M. and Oterio, M. del Mar.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.15 Communities of Mediterranean lower circalittoral coarse sediments

Habitat Description:
This habitat comprises offshore and deep (up to 200 m) circalittoral habitats with coarse sands and gravel or shell. According to some estimations such habitat may cover large areas of the offshore continental shelf. Lower circalittoral coarse habitats are quite diverse compared to its shallower versions and generally characterised by robust infaunal polychaete and bivalve species. Animal communities in this habitat are closely related to offshore mixed sediments. Bottom currents speed can vary from moderately strong (1-3 kn) to very weak (negligible).
Indicators of quality:
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, thus both standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. Habitat is in the most geographical areas under impact of strong fisheries activities, particularly trawling and dredging, thus the presence of characteristic commercially exploited species may indicate a quality of the habitat. Hence, presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species can also be used as an indicator of habitat quality.
Characteristic species:
Characteristic species are polychaets: Glycera tesselata, Psamathe fusca, Pista cristata, Prionospio banyulenis, Protodorvillea kefersteini; bivalves: Lentidium mediterraneum, Gari costulata, Timoclea ovata; crustaceans: Monoculodes carinatus, Urothoe brevicornis, brittle star: Amphipholis squamata,  echinoids: Spatangus purpureus, Sphaerechinus granularis; lancelet: Branchiostoma lanceolatum.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Sublittoral coarse sediment (A5.1)
 
Annex 1:
none
 
MAES:
Marine - Shelf
 
MSFD:
Shelf sublittoral coarse sediment
Shelf sublittoral mixed sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Shelf coarse or mixed sediments
 
IUCN:
9.4 Subtidal sandy

Trends in Quantity:
Studies revealed that about 45% of the sediments that would be delivered by rivers to the Mediterranean annually are either retained behind dams or extracted from river beds for sand and gravel, leading to an overall deficit of sediments on the coast. On the other hand, in the north Adriatic Sea nutrient load has been increasing since at least 1900 and it markedly intensified after 1930, with a doubling of nutrient loads in the Po river between 1968 and 1980. In the north Adriatic Sea, more than190 km of artificial structures, mainly groynes and breakwaters, seawalls and jetties, have been built along 300 km of naturally low sedimentary shores. This hardening has caused severe losses and alterations of shallow sedimentary habitats and has introduced new artificial habitats, with dramatic effects on native habitats and assemblages.
Although it is evident that changes or even a decrease in the quantity of the habitat might have or is occurring, the information at present is insufficient to ascertain if the habtiat is decreasing or it is stable due to alterations in its overal distribution.

Trends in Quality:
Aquaculture and demersal fishing activities are known to have negative effects this habitat type potentially leading to significant decreases in density, richness and diversity in comparison to control areas, and by a shift towards populations of few proliferating species. Although it is stable in some areas, overall the quality of this habitat is considered to be decreasing across the Mediterranean.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The EOO largely exceeds 50,000 km2 . Therefore this habitat does not have a small natural range.

Justification of Restricted Area:
The EOO largely exceeds 50,000 km2 . Therefore this habitat does not have a small natural range.

Pressures and Threats:
Major threat in circalittoral zone is bottom fishing. Fishing with demersal gears disturbs soft sediments, causing dramatic changes in the structure of both the physical support system and the related biological assemblages. It has been noted that trawls and dredges scrape or plough the seabed, resuspend sediment, change grain size and sediment texture, destroy bedforms, and remove or scatter non-target species. To these effects can be added the increase in the amount of suspended nutrients and organic matter. Eutrophic processes may be enhanced leading to hypoxia in sensitive soft bottom areas (as in the northern Adriatic) and the quantity of hydrogen sulphide released from sediments may increase. The re-suspension of sediment enriched in organic matter can eliminate macrophytes, benthos and demersal fish approaching their hypoxia tolerance limit; the changed ecosystem structure favours species adapted or tolerant to hypoxic conditions. Trawling and dredging can also play a role affecting the intensity and duration of naturally occurring seasonal hypoxic crises in some places. In the north Adriatic Sea the first signs of hypoxia started around 1960 and developed into severe anoxic events over the past decades. Sand mining is also a pressure on this habitat is some locations.

Conservation and Management:
Although this habitat can be impacted by different coastal human activities such us dumping of solid wastes or other pollutions, no specific managment measures are in place to protect it. Hence, trawling and dredging as fishing activites causing highest negative effects are impacting a whole zone without an existance of serious regulations aimed for conservation of this habitat. 
Beneficial measures include strengthening fisheries restrictions especially bottom trawling in a network of MPAs; decreasing the sources of eutrophication which would prevent further degradation of the habitat; and monitoring trends.

Conservation Status:
No direct relationship with any Annex 1 habitat types.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The capacity of this habitat to recover once severely damaged is unknown.

Summary:
Offshore and deep (up to 200 m) circalittoral habitats with coarse sands and gravel or shell. may extend over large areas. Lower circalittoral coarse habitats are quite diverse compared to its shallower versions and generally characterised by robust infaunal polychaete and bivalve species. Animal communities in this habitat are closely related to offshore mixed sediments. Bottom currents speed can vary from moderately strong (1-3 kn) to very weak (negligible).
The negative effect sof coastal human activities can be lower in this habitat compared to shallower areas, but is mainly linked to the use of mobile demersal gears.  Sand mining is also a threat to this habitat and both of these can alter seabed structure as well as the abundance and diversity of both infauna and epifauna. 
Beneficial measures include strengthening fisheries restrictions especially bottom trawling in a network of MPAs; decreasing the sources of eutrophication which would prevent further degradation of the habitat; regulating sand extraction and monitoring trends.

Criterion A Text:
Although this habitat is subject to pressures that may reduce its extent, trends are unknown at the present time. This habtiat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria A for both the EU 28 ad EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat has been subject to declines in quality in some locations but there is a lack of information to determine overall trends or quantify any decline. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under Criterion C/D1 for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a large EOO and therefore qualifies as Least Concern under criterion B1. However the habitat is assessed as Data Deficient both at the EU 28 and EU 28+ levels because of the lack of information on its trends in quantity and quality and the fact that its overall distribution and AOO is unknown.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.25 Communities of Mediterranean circalittoral well-sorted fine sands

Habitat Description:
Clean fine sands with less than 5% silt/clay in water deeper than 30-35 m, either on the open coast or near, depending on geographical area. Circalittoral well-sorted fine sands are usually an extension at depth of the infralittoral and circalittoral very shallow fine sands. The sediment is of homogeneous granulometry and of mixed origin: terrigenous and organogenous. Existence of bottom currents is quite common. Bivalves and polychaetes are part of the infaunal communities. 
Indicators of quality:
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, thus both standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. Habitat is in the most geographical areas under impact of strong fisheries activities, particularly trawling and dredging, thus the presence of characteristic commercially exploited species may indicate a quality of the habitat. Presence and abundance of  characteristic species can also be used as an indicator of habitat quality.
Characteristic species:
Polychaetes: Hyalinoecia tubicola, Laetmonice hystrix, Galathowenia oculata; Bivalves: Abra prismatica, Clausinella fasciata, Parvicardium scabrum, Pitar rudis, Striarca lactea; echinoderms: Anseropoda placenta; Holothuria forskali.pelecypod molluscs (e.g. Donax venustus, Tellina pulchella, Tellina planata, Cardium tuberculatum), gastropods (e.g. Nassa mutabilis and Neverita josephina), crustaceans (e.g. Crangon crangon and Iphinoe josephina) and small fish (e.g. Gobius microps, Callionymus belenus, Solea solea and Trachinus draco).

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4.  A sub-habitat of Circalittoral Sand (A5.2). 
 
Annex 1:
None
 
 
MAES:
Marine - Coastal
Marine - Shelf
 
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral sand
Shelf sublittoral sand
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow sands
Shelf sands
 
IUCN:
9.4 Subtidal sandy
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud

Trends in Quantity:
This habitat is common in the Mediterranean and known to be widely distributed although there is a lack of information on the precise area of coverage. There are no reports about the trends on this habitat from individual countries and specific information regarding the trends of the different sub-habitats is missing. There have changes in the extent of this habitat in particular locations due to human interventions. For example about 45 % of the sediments that would be delivered by rivers to the Mediterranean annually are either retained behind dams or extracted from river beds for sand and gravel, leading to an overall deficit of sediments on the coast. Groynes and breakwaters, seawalls and jetties built along naturally low sedimentary shores have also caused severe losses and alterations of shallow sedimentary habitats. The overall trend for this habitat throughout the EU 28 and EU 28+ is unknown.

Trends in Quality:
Studies in particular locations have shown declines in quality of this habitat, for example associated with aquaculture and demersal fisheries which have affected both species composition and abundance. Degraded water quality, for example through eutrophication has also affected some locations. These threats are both current and are likely to continue to cause declines in quality of this habitat.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
It is unknown how much of this habitat is hosted by the EU 28 in the Mediterranean but it does occur in the EU 28+.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The habitat has an EOO larger than 50,000 km2 .

Justification of Restricted Area:
The habitat has an EOO larger than 50,000 km2 .

Pressures and Threats:
Heavy fishing disturbs muddy and sandy bottoms, causing dramatic changes in the structure of both the physical support system and the related biological assemblages. It has been noted that trawls and dredges scrape or plough the seabed, resuspend sediment, change grain size and sediment texture, destroy bedforms, and remove or scatter non-target species. To these effects can be added the increase in the amount of suspended nutrients and organic matter. Apart of direct effects related to the use of bottom gears indirect effects on the ecosystem may extend far beyond the direct. Eutrophic processes may be enhanced leading to hypoxia in sensitive soft bottom areas (as in the northern Adriatic) and the quantity of hydrogen sulphide released from sediments may increase. The anthropic re-suspension of sediment enriched in organic matter can eliminate macrophyte, benthos and demersal fish approaching their hypoxia tolerance limit; the changed ecosystem structure favours species adapted or tolerant to hypoxic conditions. Trawling and dredging can also play a role affecting the intensity and duration of naturally occurring seasonal hypoxic crises in some places. In the north Adriatic Sea the first signs of hypoxia started around 1960 and developed into severe anoxic events over the past decades. Sand extraction is an additional pressure on this habitat.

Conservation and Management:
The broad distribution of this habitat makes it likely to occur in protected areas, however detailed information is missing. A wide survey to assess the distribution of this habitat is needed in order to better evaluate its conservation and management. The designation of reference sites for long monitoring trends will assist to examine the trends in this habitat. Moreover, improving spatial and strategic planning of human activities, in particular aquaculture, sand mining, and demersal fisheries as well as regulation discharges to the marine environment would benefit this habitat.

Summary:
This habitat comprises clean fine sands with less than 5% silt/clay in water deeper than 30-35 m, either on the open coast or near, depending on geographical area. Circalittoral well-sorted fine sands are usually an extension at depth of the infralittoral and circalittoral very shallow fine sands. The sediment is of homogeneous granulometry and of mixed origin: terrigenous and organogenous and polychaetes, bivalves and echinoderms make up part of the infauna.
The major pressure on this habitat is fishering activites, mainly trawl fishing as well as sand mining activities, which alter seabed structure and biodiversity. The broad distribution of this habitat makes it likely to occur in protected areas. A wide survey to assess the distribution of this habitat is needed in order to better evaluate its conservation and management. The designation of reference sites for long monitoring trends will assist to examine the trends in this habitat. Moreover, improving spatial and strategic planning of human activities, in particular aquaculture, sand mining, and demersal fisheries as well as regulation discharges to the marine environment would benefit this habitat.

Criterion A Text:
The whole circalittoral zone is under heavy fishing impact that can cause a severe changes of the habitat. It is likely but unknown whether this has resulted in any habitat loss. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under Criteria A.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat is present in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean basins. The precise extent is unknown but estimated as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO >50 which exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution.
The habitat is known to have declined in quality although this cannot be quantified at the present time. The nature and size of threats to this habitat and the distribution data which are available suggest that no known threats are likely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B1c. B2c amd B3 and Data Deficient for all other criteria for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat has declined in quality over the last 50 years. Such declines are likely to continue as the major threats abiotic and biotic factors caused by fishing and aquaculture industry are likely to continue however the scale of the decline cannot be quantified at the present time. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria C/D.

Synthesis:
The whole circalittoral zone is under heavy fishing impact that can cause severe changes on soft sediment habitats. There can be increases in one area and decreases in others however the overall trend in quantity and extent is unknown at present. There have been declines in the quality of this habitat as a result of the fishing and aquaculture industry, suspension of sediment enriched in organic matter and localised pollution.  This habitat has a large EOO and AOO, and therefore qualifies as Least Concern under criterion B. However the habitat is assessed as Data Deficient both at the EU 28 and EU 28+ levels given the lack of information on its trends in quantity and quality and the fact that its overall distribution is unknown.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.39 Communities of Mediterranean infralittoral (coastal) terrigenous muds

Habitat Description:
The sediment that conforms this habitat is always pure mud, more or less clayey, almost always derived from the erosion of rocks on land carried to sea by rivers (of fluvial origin). Such coarse debris is quickly covered with no epifauna developing as a result. In sheltered areas, this habitat is characterized by associations with Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera noltii and Caulerpa prolifera.
Indicators of quality:
Standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality, but the presence and abundance of characteristic species can also be used as an indicator of habitat quality.
Characteristic species:
Include: gastropods Turritella sp.; polychaets: Sternaspis scutata, Aphrodite aculeata; bivalves: Acanthocardia paucicostata; sea pen: Pennatula phosphorea, Veretillum cynomorium; crustacean: Medorippe lanata; sea cucumbers: Parastichopus regalis, Holothuria tubulosa.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Sublittoral mud (A5.3)
 
Annex 1:
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal.
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral mud
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow muds
 
IUCN:
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy

Map Description:
This habitat is known to occur in all Mediterranean sub-basins but there are insufficient data to provide a comprehensive and accurate map of the distribution of this habitat. EOO and AOO have been calculated on the available data presented in this map however these should be treated with caution as expert opinion is that this is not the full distribution of the habitat.

Trends in Quantity:
The full extent of this habitat is still poorly known, and the studies conducted have mostly focused on the description of the benthic assemblages in relation to sediment characteristics. Expert opinion is that there is a general decline in quantity for this habitat, although this cannot be quantified at present.

Trends in Quality:
This habitat is directly subject to various anthropogenic impacts resulting from urban, industrial, agricultural, aquaculture and other coastal activities. Fishing in general, and the use of bottom towed fishing gears in particular, pose ephemeral or permanent threats to this habitat, depending on the relative vulnerability of species present. This is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea with analysis of Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship tracking data revealing that the continental shelf area in the EU Mediterranean countries is almost all subject to a high intensity of trawled gear fishing increasing on an east to west gradient with the highest intensity and extent in the Adriatic Sea. Many studies also show that combined impacts of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in associated assemblages.
Because of the pressures and threats on infralittoral habitats of soft sediment and severe degradation in some sites it is reasonable to assume that quality of this habitat has declined in much of the Mediterranean.

Pressures and Threats:
Many studies conducted within this zone show that the combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in the associated species assemblages. Thus, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled building of coastal infrastructures) and fisheries, in particularly bottom trawling.

Conservation and Management:
Basic knowledge on this habitat, the associated assemblages/species biology (distribution, abundance, habitat preferences, life-cycles), its distribution in the Mediterranean and any trends are needed. Spatial planning in general, and strategic planning of particular human activities are needed for the conservation of this habitat when there are competing demands. Designation of Protected Areas is also recommended. In areas where the habitat is affected, it is recommended to reduce anthropogenic waste, particularly domestic and industrial wastewater that is still loaded with fine matter, pollutants and organic matter.
Fisheries legislation for this whole zone exists but precise management measures aimed at this particular habitat are not in place. Direct engagement of stakeholders in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, will be essential for the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Recovery may be extremely slow because of the stable (nondynamic) conditions that prevail in this biotope.

Summary:
The sediment that composes this habitat type is always pure mud, more or less clayey, almost always derived from the erosion of rocks on land carried to sea by rivers. Studies conducted in this zone showed that the combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in the associated species assemblages. Thus, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution, coastal zone development, fisheries and contamination of sediments.
Some general legal provisions, e.g. in fisheries, are in place, but are not specifically focused on this habtiat type. Basic knowledge about the habitat and its distribution in the Mediterranean is needed to improve spatial planning in general, and strategic planning of particular human activities when there are competing demands. Designation of Protected Areas is also recommended and reduction of anthropogenic waste to areas where this habitat occurs. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina M.F., Gambi, M. C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Delo, E.A. and Ockenden, M.C. 1992. Estuarine Muds Manual. HR Wallingford Report, SR 309. 64 p.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens. 
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Micu, D. and Micu, S. 2004. A new type of macrozoobenthic community from the rocky bottoms of the Black Sea. In: International Workshop on the Black Sea Benthos, Öztürk, B., Mokievsky, V.O. and TopaloÄŸlu, B. (Eds.). 18-23 April 2004 Istanbul, Turkey. TÜDAV publication no. 20: 244 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R., 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17)
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split. 
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens. 
Vespe M, Gibin M, Alessandrini A, Natale F, Mazzarella F, & Osio G. in press. Mapping EU fishing activities using ship tracking data – accepted for publication, Journal of Maps – available at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1603.03826

Criterion A Text:
Whilst there are reports that there have been declines in quantity of habitats in the infralittoral zone due to coastal development along the Mediterranean coast, the extent of decline cannot be quantified. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under Criterion A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat is subject to pressures and threats from urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation which is prevalent along the Mediterranean coastline and has resulted in degradation of infralittoral areas. It has also been impacted by fishries using demersal towed gears in particular which is widesread in the Mediterranean Sea. Declines over the last 50 years specific to this habitat cannot be quanitified but expert opinion is that this is likely to have been fairly substantial. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Near Threatened under criteria C/D1.

Synthesis:
This habitat is directly subject to various anthropogenic impacts resulting from urban, industrial, agricultural, aquaculture and other coastal activities such as  fishing and the use of bottom towed fishing gears in particular. The latter is particularly widespread in the Mediterranean Sea, recent analysis showing it to be most extensive and of highest intensity in the Adriatic Sea. Many studies also show that combined impacts of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation lead to a shift in associated assemblages. Declines in quality over the last 50 years cannot be quanitified but expert opinion is that this is likely to have been fairly substantial. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Near Threatened under criteria C/D for the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A3.36 Communities of Mediterranean estuarine rock

Habitat Description:
This habitat is composed of intertidal and shallow subtidal rocky habitats which support faunal-dominated communities, with seaweed communities only poorly developed or absent. The variations associated communities are linked to climatic conditions, mainly the very great seasonal differences in temperature and salinity, which in the summer is particularly warm salty water and in the winter very low temperatures and sometimes brackish water.
The habitat supports species that are able to withstand quick variations in environmental conditions such as salinity. Sudden influxes of salt water and drying up in the summer create recurrent disturbances that sometimes cause populations to disappear. In this case, recolonisation will always be very rapid. In the Adriatic the characteristic species of this association is the endemic brown alga Fucus virsoides. 
Indicators of quality:
Standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. 
 
Characteristic species:
Algae: Fucus virsoides, Bangia spp;
Cyanobacteria: Rivularia polyotis;
Crustaceans: Lekanesphaera hookeri, Balanus spp, Sphaeroma serratum, Cyathura carinata, Monocorophium insidiosum, Gammarus aequicauda;
Gastropods: Patella coerulea; 
Bivalves: Mytilus galloprovincialis;
Cniadrians: Actinia equina.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4.
A sub-habitat of  Mediterranean low energy infralittoral rock (A3.3) and Low energy littoral rock (A1.3). 
 
Annex 1:
1130 Estuaries
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
 
MSFD:
Littoral rock & biogenic reef
Shallow sublittoral rock and biogenic reef
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow photic rock or biogenic reef
Shallow aphotic rock or biogenic reef
 
IUCN:
9.10 Estuaries
 
Barcelona Convention (RAC/SPA)
III.1.1 Euryhaline and Eurythermal biocenoses

Comment EU28:
This habitat is present in all the Mediterranean sub-basins. AOO figures are believed to be an underestimate.

Comment EU28+:
This habitat is present in all the Mediterranean sub-basins.  AOO figures are believedto be an underestimate.

Trends in Quantity:
Around two thirds of the Mediterranean coastline is urbanized, with this fraction exceeding 75% in the regions with the most developed industries. Close to the shoreline this frequently involves the construction of artificial structures, mainly groynes and breakwaters, seawalls and jetties, along naturally low sediment shores such as those typically of estuaries. Historical as well as recent coastal development has also resulted in loss of estuarine habitat by impoundment and drainage in both small and large estuarine systems. Estuarine areas are not particularly common in the Mediterranean and  the distribution of this habitat is patchy. Whilst there is a lack of information on trends in quanitity of this specific habitat within estuaries, expert opinion is that it is likely to have declined alongside loss of estuarine habtiat more generally.

Trends in Quality:
There have been significant historical as well as recent changes in the quality of sublittoral estuarine habitats because of a long history of human pressure in these areas. Many studies have shown that the combined impacts of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in associated assemblages. There has also been contamination of estuarine sediments from herbicides and heavy metals. As all other analysis conducted in these zones showed that human activities had significant negative and combined impacts generally on the whole zone (all habitats types) and that severe degradation of river water quality and ecosystem is an ongoing process, it is reasonable to assume that the quality of this habitat has declined and is likely to continue declining.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Unknown but present in both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
The EOO of this habitat type exceeds 50,000 km2.

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat type is related to estuaries, which are very limited in the Mediterranean Sea.

Pressures and Threats:
Significant anthropogenic pressures affecting estuaries are industrial waste water, urban sewage effluents, agriculture and farmland runoff. These activities cause an excess of nutrients, increase the organic matter loads and may promote the accumulation of dangerous pollutants in the sediment, such as heavy metals, toxic compounds and hydrocarbon substances. Coastal development has resulted in direct loss of habitat and alteration to the natural flow regime, for example through the construction of dams and water abstraction both of which have had a major affect on some estuaries by altering sediment transport, flushing and the stability of water column stratification.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The capacity to recover once severely damaged of this habitat is unknown.

Summary:
This habitat consists of shallow subtidal rocky habitats which support faunal-dominated communities, with seaweed communities only poorly developed or absent. The variations presented by the biocenosis are linked to climatic conditions, mainly the very great seasonal differences in temperature and salinity. 
Many studies conducted within this zone showed that combined impacts of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in the associated species assemblages, and estuaries in the Mediterranean are especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution, coastal zone development, fisheries, contamination of sediments and biota caused by anti-foulants and atmospheric inputs of hazardous compounds and episodic perturbations. Some legal provisions exist, but management measures aimed at this particular habitat conservation are not in place. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina M.F., Gambi, M.C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Delo, E.A. and Ockenden, M.C. 1992. Estuarine Muds Manual. HR Wallingford Report, SR 309. 64 p.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G. P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens. 
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Micu, D. and Micu, S. 2004. A new type of macrozoobenthic community from the rocky bottoms of the Black Sea. In: International Workshop on the Black Sea Benthos, Öztürk, B., Mokievsky, V.O. and TopaloÄŸlu, B. (Eds.). 18-23 April 2004 Istanbul, Turkey. TÜDAV publication no. 20. 244 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G. Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R., 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17)
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split. 
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.

Criterion A Text:
The habitat is assessed as Vulnerable under Criterion A1 as it has probably suffered large declines in surface area (more than 30%) over the last 50 years, given the loss in quantity of estuarine habitats overall in the Mediterranean and because such trends are likely to continue over the next 50 years.

Criterion B Text:
The habitat is assessed as Least Concern under criterion B1 as the EOO value largely exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category, although contining declines in spatial extent and quality, and threatening processes likely to cause continuing declines in the next 20 years are considered probable. There is some information on the AOO value and the number of locations but this is better categorised as unknown.This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B1a & B1b and Data Deficient for all other criteria for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
The majority of estuaries in the Mediterranean are believed to have suffered some decline in both abiotic and biotic quality over the last 50 years, predominantly due to the effects coastal development, urbanisation, pollution and alteration of hydrographic conditions. The scale of this for the Mediterranean region is difficult to quantify, however expert opinion is that this is likely to amount to a substantial reduction represented by most likely an intermediate decline affecting more than 50% of the extent, but possibly a severe decline affecting more than 30% in both the EU 28 and EU 28+. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria C/D1.

Synthesis:
This habitat can be reliably assumed as patchy as the proportion of estuary areas in the Mediterranean is limited and it relates to only 70 medium to large rivers and streams that flow into the Mediterranean. The whole infralittoral zone is especially subject to human activities that increase mud transport from the coast (mainly untreated urban waste discharge, major construction works in the maritime field, and leaching from soil). Hypersedimentation may eliminate vulnerable facies, resulting in biotope homogenization and a consequent reduction of the associated biodiversity and the exploitable living resources. The combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation are leading to a shift in associated assemblages. 
There is a lack of quantiative data however expert opinion is that it is reasonable to presume that this habitat has suffered declines in both quantity and quality in the last 50 years. The pressures leading to such declines are predicted to continue therefore a continuing decline is likely. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.5x Communities of Mediterranean infralittoral coastal detritic bottoms

Habitat Description:
This habitat is usually associated with the lower infralittoral zone. The nature of the substratum varies widely and depends largely on the typology of the nearby coast and of the nearby infralittoral formations. This implies that the substrata can sometimes be formed by gravels and sands originating from predominant local rocks, sometimes shell debris from various molluscs and echinoderms, sometimes debris from branched bryozoans or debris of dead and more or less corroded Melobesiae spp. The interstices between these various components are partially filled by a greater or lesser proportion of sand and mud.
Indicators of quality:
Standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality, but the presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species can also be used as an indicator of habitat quality.
Characteristic species:
Demosponges: Suberites domuncula; Crustaceans: Paguristes eremita, Anapagurus laevis; Echinoderms: Ophiura ophiura; Astropecten irregularis, Anseropoda placenta; Ascidians: Molgula oculata, Polycarpa pomaria, Microcosmus vulgaris.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Shallow sublittoral/infralittoral mixed sediments (A5.5)
 
Annex 1:
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral sediment (coarse, sand, mud, mixed)
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow sands
Shallow muds
Shallow coarse or mixed sediments
 
IUCN:
9.3 Subtidal loose rock/ pebble/ gravel
9.4 Subtidal sandy
9.6 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy
 
Barcelona Convention (RAC/SPA)
IV.2.2 Biocenosis of the coastal detritic

Trends in Quantity:
The extent of this habitat is still poorly known, and the studies conducted have mostly focused on the description of the benthic assemblages in relation to sediment characteristics. Whilst some areas of this habitat may have been lost there is insufficient data to determine any trends at the current time.

Trends in Quality:
This habitat is directly subject to various anthropogenic impacts resulting from urban, industrial, agricultural, aquaculture and other coastal activities. Fishing in general, and the use of bottom towed fishing gears in particular, pose ephemeral or permanent threats to this habitat, depending on the relative vulnerability of species present. This is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea with recent analysis of Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship tracking data revealing that the continental shelf area in the EU Mediterranean countries is almost all subject to a high intensity of trawled gear fishing increasing on an east to west gradient with the highest intensity and extent in the Adriatic Sea. Many studies also show that combined impacts of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in associated assemblages.
Because of the pressures and threats on infralittoral habitats of soft sediment and severe degradation in some locations it is reasonable to assume that quality of this habitat has declined in much of the Mediterranean.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Unknown although this habitat is likely to be present in the EU 28+.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as it is present in all four Mediterranean sub-basins.

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as it is present in all four Mediterranean sub-basins.

Pressures and Threats:
This habitat is vulnerable to human activities that increase mud transport from the coast (mainly untreated urban waste discharge, major construction works in the maritime field, and leaching from soil). Resulting hypersedimentation reduces the quality of the habitat by smothering associated species, resulting in biotope homogenization and a consequent reduction of the associated biodiversity and of the exploitable living resources. The combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation can exacerbate these impacts.

Conservation and Management:
Basic knowledge on this habitat, the associated assemblages/species biology (distribution, abundance, habitat preferences, life-cycles), its distribution in the Mediterranean and any trends are needed. Spatial planning in general, and strategic planning of particular human activities are needed for the conservation of this habitat when there are competing demands. Designation of Protected Areas is also recommended. In areas where the habitat is affected, it is recommended to reduce anthropogenic waste, particularly domestic and industrial wastewater that is still loaded with fine matter, pollutants and organic matter. 
Fisheries legislation for this whole zone exists but precise management measures aimed at this particular habitat are not in place. Direct engagement of stakeholders in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Summary:
This habitat is usually associated with the lower infralittoral zone. The nature of a substratum varies widely and depends largely on the typology of the nearby coast and of nearby infralittoral formations. It is affected by human activities that increase mud transport from the coast (mainly untreated urban waste discharge, and major construction works). Resulting hypersedimentation may reduce the quality of the habitat by smothering associated species, resulting in biotope homogenization and a consequent reduction of the associated biodiversity and of the exploitable living resources. Combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation can exacerbate these impacts. 
Basic knowledge about the habitat and its distribution in the Mediterranean is needed to improve spatial planning in general, and strategic planning of particular human activities when there are competing demands. Designation of Protected Areas is also recommended and reduction of anthropogenic waste to areas where this habitat occurs. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina M.F., Gambi, M.C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Delo, E.A. and Ockenden, M.C. 1992. Estuarine Muds Manual. HR Wallingford Report, SR 309. 64 pp.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens. 
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Micu, D. and Micu, S. 2004. A new type of macrozoobenthic community from the rocky bottoms of the Black Sea. In: International Workshop on the Black Sea Benthos, Öztürk, B., Mokievsky, V.O. and TopaloÄŸlu, B. (Eds.). 18-23 April 2004, Istanbul, Turkey. TÜDAV publication no. 20: 244 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split. 
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens. 
Vespe M, Gibin M, Alessandrini A, Natale F, Mazzarella F, & Osio G. in press. Mapping EU fishing activities using ship tracking data – accepted for publication, Journal of Maps – available at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1603.03826

Criterion A Text:
The current trend in quantity is unknown, and there is a lack of information on past or future reductions in quantity for this habitat. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under Criterion A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat is subject to pressures and threats from urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation which are prevalent along the Mediterranean coastline and which have led to the degradation of soft substrate infralittoral areas.
Declines over the last 50 years specific to this habitat cannot be quantified but expert opinion is that this is likely to have been fairly substantial and close to the Vulnerable threshold. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Near Threatened under criteria C/D.

Synthesis:
This habitat is directly subject to various anthropogenic impacts resulting from urban, industrial, agricultural, aquaculture and other coastal activities. Fishing in general, and the use of bottom towed fishing gears in particular which is widespread and of high intenstity in the Mediterranean, particularly in the Adriatic Sea, pose ephemeral or permanent threats to this habitat, depending on the relative vulnerability of species present. Many studies also show that combined impacts of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation led to a shift in associated assemblages.
Declines over the last 50 years cannot be quanitified but expert opinion is that there is likely to have been a fairly substantial reduction in quality. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Near Threatened under criteria C/D for the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.32 Communities of Mediterranean sublittoral estuarine sediments

Habitat Description:
In Mediterranean estuaries tidal amplitude is very weak and tidal currents, which generate vertical mixing of the water, are negligible. This favors vertical stratification of salinity with a counter current of saline water beneath the less dense river water (salt wedge estuaries). There are also distinct seasonal differences in salinity. In winter the estuary runoff from winter storms and greater flushing reduces the salinity. In spring, runoff becomes small and the estuary gradually returns to marine salinities. One consequence is that the benthos of the sublittoral sediments show rapid transitions from marine to freshwater species.
Typically there is an impoverished benthic macroinvertebrate community in the upper reaches of this estuarine habitat dominated by Tubificidae and Chiromidae. This contrasts with the lower reaches where there is a "salt wedge" community dominated by an abundance of polychates, molluscs and crustaceans. In shallower areas, beds of Cymodocea nodosa may be present. Species diversity is generally low but abundance may be high. Sudden influxes of salt water and drying up in the summer create recurrent disturbances that sometimes cause populations to disappear. In contrast, under oligotrophic conditions and long periods of salt wedge permance, the complexity of the benthic communites can increase. 
Indicators of quality:
Many indicators of quality have been used for this habitat with particular parameters set in certain situations e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. 
Indices developed to assess the ecological status of coastal waters, including estuaries, according to the Water Framework Directive, include physical indicators, water quality indicators and measures of benthic diversity, species richness and abundance. The latter group, which is particularly relevant to benthic habitats, includes a Benthic Quality Index, an Infaunal Trophic Index, a Marine Biotic index based on ecological groups, and the Benthic Opportunistic Polychaetes/Amphipods Index.
Characteristic species:
Oligochaetes:Tubificoides spp., Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Heterochaeta costata, Thalassodrilides gurwitschi; Polychaetes: Capitella capitata, Ficopomatus enigmaticus, Heteromastus filiformis,  Alitta succinea, Scolaricia typica, Spio decoratus, Aphelochaeta marioni; Gastropods: Hydrobia acuta; Bivalves: Spisula subtruncata, Crustaceans: Corophium orientale, Gammarus aequicauda, Carcinus mediterraneus.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Sublittoral mud (A5.3)
 
Annex 1:
1130 Estuaries
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
 
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral mud
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow muds
 
IUCN:
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy
9.10 Estuaries

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Estuarine habitats are not a common feature of the Mediterranean.

Trends in Quantity:
Around two thirds of the Mediterranean coastline is urbanized, with this fraction exceeding 75% in the regions with the most developed industries. Close to the shoreline this frequently involves the construction of artificial structures, mainly groynes and breakwaters, seawalls and jetties, along naturally low sediment shores such as those typically of estuaries. In the north Adriatic for example more than 190 km of artificial structures have been built along 300 km of naturally low sedimentary shores. This hardening has caused severe losses and alterations of shallow sedimentary habitats and has introduced new artificial habitats, with dramatic effects on native habitats and assemblages. Detailed mapping of coastal habitats along some sections of coast have also provide information on quanitity. One example is along the Catalan coast (Spain) where infralittoral estuarine muddy sands and mediolittoral muddy sands were the dominant habitats along 53km out of 1,110km of coastline.
Historical as well as recent coastal development  has also resulted in loss of estuarine habitat by impoundment and drainage in both small and large estuarine systems. S'Albufera-Alcudia Bay on the island of Mallorca, for example, has been affected by human activities since the second half of the 19th century when drainage programme was instituted, whilst the estuarine environment of the Ebro, particuarly around the delta has changed very significantly since the beginning of the 16th century.  
A decline in extent of this habitat can also be attributed to upstream activities, particularly the alteration of the natural flow regime by damming. This not only affects water flow but also sediment deposition in the bed of the estuary and where it discharges into the sea. The scale of change has been very significant as revealed by the fact that in some southern European rivers (e.g. Ebro, Douro, Urumea, Rhone), the annual volume of sediment discharge represents less than 10% of their level of 1950; for the Ebro this is even less than 5%. Similar changes have also been reported in the eastern Mediterranean, for example in the estuaries of the Nestos, Acheloos, Arachthos, Sperchelos and Alfeios, in Greece. 
The overall trend is therefore one of decreasing quantity.

Trends in Quality:
There have been significant historical as well as recent changes in the quality of this habitat. Trends are difficult to determine because of the natural variability of the benthic communities associated with estuaries, and especially salt-wedge estuaries as typically occur in the Mediterranean.  This variability is exacerbated by a long history of human-induced pressures that have led to serious changes in the natural ecological cycles of estuarine systems in the Mediterranean. The complexity of this is well illustrated by the situation in the Ebro estuary, Spain. Nutrient enrichment and alteration of the natural flow regime led to severe eutrophication episodes in the 1980s, and anoxic conditions. Urban sewage treatment and restriction on the use of phosphate based compounds has since reduced the eutrophication effects however the upstream dams and regulation of water flow means that the salt wedge no longer fluctuates. Water quality is therefore worsening below the halocline due to low water renewal rates. 
Toxic contamination has also resulted in decline in quality. Research indicated a significant concentration of some herbicides that persist in the areas of the Ebro delta on the Eastern Coast of Spain, the Rhone delta in the South of France, the River Po, Italy/the Northern Adriatic Sea, and the Thermaikos and Amvrakikos Gulfs in Greece.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
It is unknown how much of this habitat is hosted by the EU 28 in the Mediterranean although it does occur in the EU 28+.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO is greater than 50,000 km2 .

Summary:
This estuarine habitat is characterized by an environment of variable salinity that ranges from brackish to fully marine conditions. Typically there is an impoverished benthic macroinvertebrate community in the upper reaches of the estuary dominated by Tubificidae and Chiromidae. This contrasts with the lower reaches with a 'salt wedge' community dominated by polychaetes, molluscs and crustaceans. Species diversity is generally low but abundance may be high. 
The habitat is especially prone to impacts from coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), contamination of sediments and biota, episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping) and changes in hydrological conditions. Beneficial conservation measures include regulating discharges to improve water quality, managing fisheries, establishing protected areas, coastal zone planning including zoning of developments, and whole estuary management including regulation of water abstraction from the river system and other activities which affect the hydrological regime.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Aristeidis, M. and Konstantinos, M. 2013. Impact of River Damming and River Diversion projects in a changing environment and in geomorphological evolution of the Greek coast. British Journal of Environmental and Climate Change. 3(2): 127-159.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Borja, A., Franco, J. and Perez, V. 2000. A Marine biotic index to establish the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthos within European estuarine and coastal environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 40(12):1100-1114.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina, M.F., Gambi, M.C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Delo, E.A. and Ockenden, M.C. 1992. Estuarine Muds Manual. HR Wallingford Report, SR 309. 64 pp.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens. 
Mariani, S., Cefali, M.D. Terradas, M. et al. 2014 Using catenas for GIS-based mapping of NW Mediterranean littoral habitats. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 147:56-67.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Micu, D. and Micu, S. 2004. A new type of macrozoobenthic community from the rocky bottoms of the Black Sea. In: International Workshop on the Black Sea Benthos, Öztürk, B., Mokievsky, V.O. and TopaloÄŸlu, B. (Eds.). 18-23 April 2004 Istanbul, Turkey. TÜDAV publication no. 20. 244 pp.
Muxika, I., Borga, A. and Bald, J. 2007. Using historical data, expert judgement and multivariate analysis in assessing reference conditions and benthic ecological status according to the European Water Framework Directive. Marine Pollution Bulletin 55:16-29.
Nebra, A., Caiola, N. Muñoz-Camarillo, G. et al. 2014. Towards a suitable ecological status assessment of highly stratified Mediterranean estuaries: A comparison of benthic invertebrate fauna indices. Ecological Indicators 46:177-187.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R., 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split. 
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.

Criterion A Text:
The area of sublittoral estuarine habitats in the Mediterranean is considered likely to have declined significantly in the recent past. These declines are associated with coastal development and urbanisation as well as damming of rivers which altered the hydrographic conditions, in particular water flow and sediment transport. These pressures and trends are predicted to continue.
Although quantitative data are lacking, expert opinion is that it is reasonable to presume that this habitat has suffered large declines in surface area of more than 30% over the last 50 years. No estimate has been made of historical declines although these are known to have occurred. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria A1 for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat is present in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean basins. The precise extent is unknown but estimated as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO >50 which exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. The habitat is known to have declined in quantity and quality. The nature and size of threats to this habitat and the distribution data which are available suggest that no known threats are likely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
The majority of estuaries in the Mediterranean are believed to has suffered some decline in both abiotic and biotic quality over the last 50 years, predominantly due to the effects coastal development, urbanisation, pollution and alteration of hydrographic conditions. The scale of this for the Mediterranean region is difficult to quantify however expert opinion is that this is likely to amount to a substantial reduction, probably represented by an intermediate decline affecting more than 50% of the extent, in both the EU 28 and EU 28+. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria C/D1.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a wide range in the Mediterranean being present in all the sub-basins. It is considered likely to have declined significantly in extent in the recent past due to coastal development and urbanisation as well as the damming of rivers which have altered the hydrographic conditions. The majority of Mediterranean estuaries are also considered likely to have declined in quality for similar reasons.
There is a lack of quantiative data however expert opinion is that it is reasonable to presume that this habitat has suffered declines in both quantity and quality in the last 50 years. The pressures leading to such declines are predicted to continue therefore a continuing decline is likely. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria A1 and C/D1 for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A2.13 Communities of Mediterranean mediolittoral coarse sediment

Habitat Description:
Littoral coarse sediments are found along relatively exposed open shores, where wave action prevents finer sediments from settling. This habitat include shores of mobile pebbles, cobbles and gravel, sometimes with varying amounts of coarse sand. The sediment is highly mobile and subject to high degrees of drying between tides, while sediment particle size structure may vary seasonally, with relatively finer sediments able to settle during calmer conditions in summer. As a result, few species are able to survive in this environment. It is occupied by scavengers species that feed on various plant debris and waste material retained between the pebbles and gravel. Beaches of mobile cobbles and pebbles tend to be devoid of macroinfauna, while gravelly shores may support limited numbers of crustaceans, polychaetes and holothurians. These communities are exposed to alternating water submersion and emersion because of variations in the water level. 
One of associated biotopes consist mainly of detritus-feeding species which draw their nourishment from decaying vegetation and miscellaneous debris caught up in the shingle. It is characterised by two crustaceans, the amphipod Gammarus olivii and the isopod Sphaeroma serratum. 
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations, e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. 
Characteristic species:
Crustaceans: Echinogammarus planicrurus, Gammarus marinus, Sphaeroma serratum and polychaete Perinereis cultrifera. Other species include Pachygrapsus marmoraturs, Allorchestes aquilinus, Perinereis cultifera, Holothuria tubulosa.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Littoral coarse sediment (A2.1)
 
Annex 1:
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Littoral sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Not mapped.
 
IUCN:
12.3 Shingle and/ or pebble shoreline and/or beaches
 
Barcelona Convention (RAC/SPA)
II.3.I

Trends in Quantity:
There is a lack of information on the extent of this habitat and trends in quantity. As at least 30% of all littoral habitats in the Mediterranean have disappeared over the last 50 years it is reasonable to assume that this soft substrate habitat has also suffered losses. These could for example, be associated with coastal development altering beach profiles, impounding areas, and the removal of sediments from beaches for construction works. A decreasing trend is considered likely but there is insufficient information to quanitify such a trend.

Trends in Quality:
Human activities have had significant negative impacts on all mediolittoral habitats types in the Mediterranean Sea and combine at multiple scales. The quality of sedimentary mediolittoral habitats, including areas of coarse sediment, is considered likely to have declined but there is insufficient information to quanitify any trend.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as it occurs in all the Mediterranean sub-basins.

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as it occurs in all the Mediterranean sub-basins.

Pressures and Threats:
This habitat is especially prone to impacts from coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial), coastal zone development, and sand and gravel extraction. Cleaning up detritus accumulation of Posidonia banks causes an overall impoverishment of  the littoral ecosystem.

Conservation and Management:
There are a variety of measures and regulations in place to manage this habitat. For example, in some Mediterranean countries, there are strict limits on distance from the coast for dredging of sands and gravel. Some beaches are also protected as NATURA 2000 sites. Additional beneficial actions could including; preventing activities such as coast protection works that destablise the habitat or interfere with the natural dynamics; beach nourishment schemes using appropriate materials and developing  management practices for the beach cleaning which avoid the use of heavy machinery.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The capacity of this habitat to recover after it has been severely damaged is unknown.

Summary:
Mediolittoral coarse sediments are found along relatively exposed open shores, where wave action prevents finer sediments from settling. This habitat include shores of mobile pebbles, cobbles and gravel, sometimes with varying amounts of coarse sand. As the sediment is highly mobile and subject to high degrees of drying between tides, few species are able to survive. It is typically colonised by scavenger species that feed on various plant debris and waste material retained between the pebbles and gravel.
The habitat is especially prone to impacts associated with coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), contamination of sediments and biota, and episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping of wreckages). There are no specific legal provisions or management measures aimed at conservation of this habitat although it does occur in some protected areas. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceedings of the VI Symposium of the Italian Association of Oeanography and Limnology (AIOL). pp 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA. (Ed.). MedPAN Collection: 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G. P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G. Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Sarda, R., Martin, D., Pinedo, S., Dueso, A. and Cardell, M.J. 1995. Seasonal dynamics of shallow soft-bottom communities in western Mediterranean. In: Biology and Ecology of Shallow Coastal Waters. Eleftheriou, A., Ansell A.D. and Smith, C.J. (Eds.).  Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg. pp 191-198.
Sardá, F., Pinedo, S. and Martin, D. 1999. Seasonal dynamics of macroinfaunal key species inhabiting shallow soft-bottoms in the Bay of Blanes (NW Mediterranean). Acta Oecologia (Montrouge) 20(4): 315-326.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.

Criterion A Text:
There is a lack of information on the extent of this habitat and trends in quantity. At least 30% of all littoral habitats in the Mediterranean have disappeared over the last 50 years. It is therefore reasonable to assume that this soft substrate habitat has also suffered losses but there is insufficient information to quanitify such a trend. It has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criterion A.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat is present in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean but the precise extent is unknown. Because of past and ongoing threats some decline in quantity and quality is likely however this cannot be quantified. 
This habitat has large EOO and but due to the lack of information on its trends in quantity and quality and the fact that its overall distribution is unknown, expert opinion is this habitat should be considered Data Deficient for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
The data on this particular habitat are limited, but given declines in quality of mediolittoral soft substrate habitats in the Mediterranean over the last 50 years it is reasonable to assume there has been some reduction in quality. As this cannot be quantified this habitat has been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria C/D1 for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Synthesis:
This habitat is present in all the Mediterranean sub-basins although there is a lack of information on the area covered.  At least 30% of all littoral habitats in the Mediterranean have disappeared over the last 50 years. It is therefore reasonable to assume that this soft substrate habitat has also suffered losses but there is insufficient information to quantify any such a trend.
This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A2.42 Communities of Mediterranean mediolittoral mixed sediment

Habitat Description:
Shores of mixed sediments range from muds with gravel and sand components to mixed sediments with pebbles, gravels, sands and mud in more even proportions. By definition, mixed sediments are poorly sorted. It is likely that there are broad transition areas between areas of mudflat or sandy mudflat, and mixed sediment biotopes where the sediment consists mainly of mud but has significant proportions of gravel and sand mixed in. Gravel mud may occur in patches on mudflats. Similarly, there is no easily defined boundary between areas of mixed sediment with stable cobbles and boulders, and boulder fields which fall into the rocky shore category. Stable large cobbles or boulders may be present which support epibiota such as fucoids and green seaweeds which are more commonly found on rocky and boulder shores.
Mixed sediments which are predominantly muddy tend to support infaunal communities which are similar to those of mud and sandy mud shores. Habitats with sheltered gravel sandy mud, which are subject to reduced salinity, mainly on the mid and lower shore, may have abundant communities of polychaetes.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations, e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. 
Characteristic species:
Polychaetes: Aphelochaeta marioni, Capitella capitata, Cirriformia tentaculata ,Sphaerosyllis taylori, Pygospio elegans; bivalves: Cerastoderma edule, Abra nitida; oligochaetes:Tubificoides pseudogaster; crustaceans: Aora gracilis, Melita palmata, Microprotopus maculatus,Corophium volutator.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of littoral mixed sediment (A2.4)
 
Annex 1:
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral coarse sediment
Shallow sublittoral mixed sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Not mapped,
 
IUCN:
12.3 Shingle and/ or pebble shoreline and/ or beaches
 
Barcelona Convention (RAC/SAC)
II.3.1. Biocenosis of mediolittoral coarse detritic bottoms.

Map Description:
There are insufficient data to provide a comprehensive and accurate map of the distribution of this habitat. This map has been generated using EMODnet data from modelled/surveyed records for the western Mediterranean (and supplemented with expert opinion where applicable) (EMODnet 2010). EOO and AOO have been calculated on the available data presented in this map however these should be treated with caution as expert opinion is that this is not the full distribution of the habitat.

Trends in Quantity:
Approximately two-thirds of the Mediterranean coastline is currently urbanized, in the most industrial regions this increases to 75%. This urbanization has especially impacted soft sediment shores hence it is reasonable to presume that this habitat has suffered a decline in quantity over the last 50 years.
The majority of the Mediterranean coast is dominated by concrete: more than 1,500km of coastline is artificial of which 1,250km is developed for harbours and ports. In some regions, the growth of cities, tourism and industry mean that up to 90% of the coastline has been developed. A survey carried out in Italy by the World Wildlife Fund in 1996 revealed that 42.6% of the entire Italian coast was subject to intensive human occupation and only 29% was undeveloped.
The urbanization of the coast is predicted to continue with increases of between 10-20% considered likely for most Mediterranean countries over the next 50 years. 
The overall current trend is therefore considered to be decreasing.

Trends in Quality:
Human activities have had significant negative impacts on all littoral habitats in the Mediterranean with threats acting in isolation as well as combine at multiple scales, leading to changes in the abundance and diversity of species associated with habitats such as this.  Thus, the quality of this habitat is believed to have declined although the extent to which this has occurred is difficult to quantify.

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
Unknown although this habitat does occur in the EU 28+.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO of this habitat exceeds 50,000 km2.

Justification of Restricted Area:
This habitat does not have a small natural range as the EOO of this habitat exceeds 50,000 km2.

Pressures and Threats:
Littoral habitats in the Mediterranean are subject to a variety of pressures and threats. The main ones are coastal pollution and nutrient enrichment (from urban, agricultural, industrial activities), coastal zone development, and contamination of sediments and biota caused by anti-foulants and atmospheric inputs of hazardous compounds and dredging and dumping of wastes. Coastal development can also alter the flow regime. Mixed sediment habtiats can be expected to be subject to these same pressures

Conservation and Management:
There are various legal provisions and policies which relate to this habitat such as the ICZM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention. Beneficial measures include improving water quality and both direct and indirect effects of coastal development. Direct engagement of stakeholder in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Summary:
Shores of mixed sediments range from muds with gravel and sand components to mixed sediments with pebbles, gravels, sands and mud in more even proportions. By definition, mixed sediments are poorly sorted and there is no easily defined boundary between areas of mixed sediment with stable cobbles and boulders, and boulder fields which fall into the rocky shore category. Stable large cobbles or boulders may be present which support epibiota such as fucoids and green seaweeds which are more commonly found on rocky and boulder shores. Mixed sediments which are predominantly muddy tend to support infaunal communities which are similar to those of mud and sandy mud shores.
This habitat is especially prone to impacts from coastal pollution, coastal zone development, contamination of sediments and biota, and episodic perturbations such as associated with aggregate removal or beach cleaning. There are various legal provisions and policies which relate to this habitat such as the ICZM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention but nothing specific. Beneficial measures include improving water quality and regulating both direct and indirect effects of coastal development. The engagement of stakeholders in the planning of the management process, and the analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

References:
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceeedings of the VI Symposium of the Association of Italian Oceanology and Limnology (AIOL). pp 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf Ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Cencini, C. 1998. Physical processes and human activities in the evolution of the Po delta, Italy. Journal of Coastal Research 14: 774-793.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA. (Ed.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gilbert, F., Bonin, P. and Stora, G. 1995. Effect of bioturbation on denitrification in a marine sediment from the West Mediterranean littoral. Hydrobiologia 304(1): 49-58.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G. Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T. V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Sarda, R., Martin, D., Pinedo, S., Dueso, A. and Cardell, M.J. 1995. Seasonal dynamics of shallow soft-bottom communities in western Mediterranean. In: Biology and Ecology of Shallow Coastal Waters. Eleftheriou, A., Ansell A.D. and Smith, C.J. (Eds.). Olsen and Olsen, Fredensborg. pp 191-198.
Sardá, F., Pinedo, S. and Martin, D. 1999. Seasonal dynamics of macroinfaunal key species inhabiting shallow soft-bottoms in the Bay of Blanes (NW Mediterranean). Acta Oecologica (Montrouge) 20(4): 315-326.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.

Criterion A Text:
The habitat has probably suffered large declines in surface area over the last 50 years but the scale of the decline cannot be quanitified. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat has a large natural range in the Mediterranean. The precise extent is unknown however as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO >50 this exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. Expert opinion is that there are continuing declines in both quantity and quality of this habitat. The patchy, localised distribution of the habitat is such that the identified threats are unlikely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
There is a lack of information to determine any trends in quality of this habitat although indications of decline have been reported from some areas. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria C/D.

Synthesis:
Approximately two-thirds of the Mediterranean coastline is currently urbanized, and in the most industrial regions this increases to 75%. This pressure is predicted to continue and although it has resulted in declines in quantity and quality of this habitat, the decline cannot be quantified.  
This habitat is widespread throughout the Mediterranean Sea, with a large EOO and AOO, and therefore it qualifies as Least Concern under Criterion B, however because of lack of information on trends it has been assessed as Data Deficient for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.27 Communities of Mediterranean lower circalittoral sand

Habitat Description:
A habitat in the deepest part of the circalittoral zone extending down to 200 m of depth. The sediment comprises fine sands or non-cohesive muddy sands. Whilst the process of sedimentation is constant, the movement of water masses is reduced compared to shallower areas making it a more stable environment. Animal communities dominate characterised by a diverse range of polychaetes, cnidarians, amphipods, bivalves and echinoderms. The lower circalittoral zone marks the survival boundary of autotrophic pluricellular algae.
Indicators of quality:
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, thus both standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. As this habitat can be impacted by fisheries activities, particularly trawling, the presence or absence of characteristic commercially exploited species are a potential quality indicator.
Characteristic species:
The sea pen: Penatula phosphorea; polychaetes: Aphrodite aculeata, Bivalves: Acanthocardia paucicostata, Pecten jacobeus, Parvicardium roseum; sea cucumber: Oerstergrenia digitata, Holothuria forskali; starfish: Anseropoda placenta.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Circalittoral Sand (A5.2).
 
Annex 1:
No relationships
 
MAES:
Marine - Coastal
Marine - Shelf
 
MSFD:
Shelf sublittoral sand
Shelf sublittoral mixed sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Shelf sands
 
IUCN:
9.4 Subtidal sandy
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud

Justification Outstanding Example of Biogeographical Region:
Sandy seabeds are widespread and common the deep circalittoral zone of the Mediterranean.

Trends in Quantity:
This habitat is affected by demersal fishing activities, as well as natural changes in sedimentation rates. It is difficult to determine whether there have been any trends in quanity as a result.

Trends in Quality:
A major threat in circalittoral zone, including for this habitat is bottom fishing (trawling, dredging). Heavy fishing disturbs muddy and sandy bottoms, causing dramatic changes in the structure of both the physical support system and the related biological assemblages. It has been noted that trawls and dredges scrape or plough the seabed, resuspend sediment, change grain size and sediment texture, destroy bedforms, and remove or scatter non-target species. To these effects can be added the increase in the amount of suspended nutrients and organic matter. Apart of direct effects related to the use of bottom gears indirect effects on the ecosystem may extend far beyond the direct. Eutrophic processes may be enhanced leading to hypoxia in sensitive soft bottom areas (as in the northern Adriatic) and the quantity of hydrogen sulphide released from sediments may increase. The anthropic re-suspension of sediment enriched in organic matter can eliminate macrophyte, benthos and demersal fish approaching their hypoxia tolerance limit; the changed ecosystem structure favours species adapted or tolerant to hypoxic conditions. Trawling and dredging can also play a role affecting the intensity and duration of naturally occurring seasonal hypoxic crises in some places. In the north Adriatic Sea the first signs of hypoxia started around 1960 and developed into severe anoxic events over the past decades. These threats are both current and are likely to continue to cause declines in quality of this habitat.

Pressures and Threats:
The major negative effect on this habitat is the impact of demersal fishing gear, mainly trawl fishing. Heavy fishing gears scrape or plough the seabed, resuspend sediment, change grain size and sediment texture, destroy bedforms, and remove or scatter non-target species. To these effects can be added the increase in the amount of suspended nutrients and organic matter. Nurtrient enrichment from land based sources may also affect deep circalittoral areas by leading to hypoxic conditions.

Conservation and Management:
The regulation of fishing activities is key to conservation of this habitat. This may include gear modifications, spatial and season restrictions as well as bycatch limits. Controls on land based sources of pollution will also benefit this habitat.

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
Unknown. Large bodied, slow growing fauna such as bivalves which are associated with this habitat are sensitive to fishing disturbances and their populations may be slow to recover. Areas that are heavily fished may never fully recover because the seabed is re-disturbed before recovery has taken place. The timescales for recovery will depend on the individual area and the community present,

Summary:
A habitat in the deepest part of the circalittoral zone extending down to 200 m of depth. The sediment comprises fine sands or non-cohesive muddy sands.  Animal communities dominate characterised by a diverse range of polychaetes, cnidarians, amphipods, bivalves and echinoderms. 
The major negative effect on this habitat is the result of demersal fishing activities, mainly trawl fishing which alter seabed structure and biodiversity. The continental shelf area in the EU Mediterranean countries is almost all subject to a high intensity of trawled gear fishing increasing on an east to west gradient with the highest intensity and extent in the Adriatic Sea. Nutrient enrichment from land based sources may also affect deep circalittoral areas by leading to hypoxic conditions. The regulation of fishing activities is key to conservation of this habitat. This may include gear modifications, spatial and season restrictions as well as bycatch limits. Controls on land based sources of pollution will also benefit this habitat.

References:
Airoldi, L. 2003. The effects of sedimentation on rocky coast assemblages. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 41: 161-236.
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceedings of the VI Symposium of the Italian Association of Oceanography and Limnology (AIOL): 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina, M.F., Gambi, M. C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Eds.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gabriele, M., Bellot, A., Gallotti, D. and Brunetti, R. 1999. Sublittoral hard substrate communities of the Northern Adriatic Sea. Cahiers de Biologie Marine 40(1): 65-76.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
Stachowitsch, M. 1984. Mass Mortality in the Gulf of Trieste: The Course of Community Destruction. Marine Ecology 5(3): 243-264.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
Vespe M, Gibin M, Alessandrini A, Natale F, Mazzarella F, & Osio G. in press. Mapping EU fishing activities using ship tracking data – accepted for publication, Journal of Maps – available at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1603.03826 
Vezzulli, L., Chelossi, E., Riccardi, G. and Fabiano, M. 2002. Bacterial community structure and activity in fish farm sediments of the Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Aquaculture International 10: 123-141.

Criterion A Text:
The whole circalittoral zone is under heavy fishing impact that can cause a severe changes of the habitat. It is likely but unknown whether this has resulted in any habitat loss. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under Criteria A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat is present in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean basins. The precise extent is unknown but estimated as EOO >50,000 km2 and AOO >50 which exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. The habitat is known to have declined in quality. The nature and size of threats to this habitat and the distribution data which are available suggest that no known threats are likely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criteria B.

Criterion C/D Text:
All available data are indicating that a majority of the circalittoral zone (more than 80%) has suffered a decline in abiotic and biotic quality predominantly due to the effects of fishing and the aquaculture industry. This specific habitat has been affected by the use of demersal fishing gears with reports of decline in quality from many areas. Expert opinion is that this is likely to amount to a substantial reduction represented by an intermediate decline affecting more than 50% of the extent in both the EU 28 and EU 28+. This habitat has therefore  been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria C/D1.

Synthesis:
This habitat is widespread and common in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean. The precise extent is unknown but estimated as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO >50 which exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. It is affected by demersal fishing activities, as well as natural changes in sedimentation rates but it difficult to determine whether there have been any trends in quantity as a result.
The continental shelf area in the EU Mediterranean countries is almost all subject to a high intensity of trawled gear fishing increasing on an east to west gradient with the highest intensity and extent in the Adriatic Sea. All available data are indicating that a majority of the circalittoral zone (more than 80%) has suffered a decline in abiotic and biotic quality predominantly due to the effects of fishing and the aquaculture industry. This specific habitat has been affected by the use of demersal fishing gears with reports of decline in quality from many areas. Expert opinion is that this is likely to amount to a substantial reduction represented by an intermediate decline affecting more than 50% of the extent in both the EU 28 and EU 28+. This habitat has therefore  been assessed as Vulnerable under criteria C/D1.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.25x Communities of Mediterranean very shallow circalittoral fine sand

Habitat Description:
Clean fine sands either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets in depths of over 15-20m. The habitat may also extend offshore and is characterised by a wide range of cnidarians, echinoderms, polychaetes and bivalves as part of the infauna.This habitat is generally more stable than shallower infralittoral sands, as there is less fluctuation in temperature and salinity.
Indicators of quality: 
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, thus both standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. In certain areas habitat can be under impact of fisheries activities, particularly trawling and dredging, thus the presence of characteristic commercially exploited species may indicate a quality of the habitat. 
Characteristic species:
Characteristic species are bivalves: Tellina pulchella, Spisula subtruncata, Chamelea gallina; polychaets: Aricidea cerrutii, Prionospio caspersi, Scolelepis squamosus; echinoids: Echinocardium cordatum; bony fish: Trachinus draco.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Circalittoral Sand (A5.2).
 
Annex 1:
1110 Sandbanks slightly covered with sea water all the time
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD: Shallow sublittoral sand
EUSeaMap:
Shallow sands
 
IUCN:
9.4 Subtidal sandy
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud

Trends in Quality:
The continental shelf area in the EU Mediterranean countries is almost all subject to a high intensity of trawled gear fishing increasing on an east to west gradient with the highest intensity and extent in the Adriatic Sea. Studies in particular locations have shown declines in quality of this habitat, for example associated with aquaculture and demersal fisheries which have affected both species composition and abundance.  Degraded water quality, for example through eutrophication has also affected some locations. These threats are both current and are likely to continue to cause declines in quality of this habitat. Fishing impacts may reduce in the future following the introduction of legislation which prohibits the use of certain gears within 3nm of the coast.

Pressures and Threats:
Heavy fishing disturbs sandy bottoms, causing dramatic changes in the structure of both the physical support system and the related biological assemblages. It has been noted that trawls and dredges scrape or plough the seabed, resuspend sediment, change grain size and sediment texture, destroy bedforms, and remove or scatter non-target species. To these effects can be added the increase in the amount of suspended nutrients and organic matter. Apart of direct effects related to the use of bottom gears indirect effects on the ecosystem may extend far beyond the direct impact zone. Eutrophic processes may be enhanced leading to hypoxia in sensitive soft bottom areas (as in the northern Adriatic) and the quantity of hydrogen sulphide released from sediments may increase. The anthropic re-suspension of sediment enriched in organic matter can eliminate macrophyte, benthos and demersal fish approaching their hypoxia tolerance limit; the changed ecosystem structure favours species adapted or tolerant to hypoxic conditions. Trawling and dredging can also play a role affecting the intensity and duration of naturally occurring seasonal hypoxic crises in some places. In the north Adriatic Sea the first signs of hypoxia started around 1960 and developed into severe anoxic events over the past decades. Coastal development including the construction of coastal defences and jetties can also have effects offshore for example by altering the hydrodynamic characteristics. Sand extraction is an additional pressure on this habitat.

Conservation and Management:
In the past, this habitat was impacted by different coastal human activities such us dumping of solid wastes or other pollutants, but in many areas such situations are currently prohibited. The level of trawling and dredging as fishing activites causing highest negative effects has decreased significantly in this shallow zone all over the Mediterranean, as according to fishery regulations the use of towed gears (trawls, dredges etc,) is prohibited within 3 nautical miles of the coast or within the 50 m isobath where that depth is reached at a shorter distance from the coast. With such regulation, that is implemented in most of Mediterranean national legislations, major negative fishing effect  stopped in many of shallow circallitoral areas. 
Improving spatial and strategic planning of human activities, in particular aquaculture and sand mining, as well as regulation discharges to the marine environment and contining management of fishing activities would benefit this habitat.

Summary:
Clean fine sands either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets in depths of over 15-20m. The habitat may also extend offshore. The infauna is characterised by a wide range of cnidarians, echinoderms, polychaetes and bivalves, 
This habitat can be impacted from coastal human activities, mainly demersal trawl fishing as well as sand mining, which alter seabed structure and biodiversity. In the past, this habitat was impacted by different coastal human activities such us dumping of solid wastes or other pollutants, but in many areas this is now prohibited. The level of trawling and dredging as fishing activites causing the highest negative effect, has significantly decreased in this shallow zone all over the Mediterranean, with the prohibition on the use of towed gears close to the coast. Improving spatial and strategic planning of human activities, in particular aquaculture, and sand mining, as well as regulation discharges to the marine environment and continuing management of fishing activity benefit this habitat.

References:
Airoldi, L. 2003. The effects of sedimentation on rocky coast assemblages. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 41: 161-236.
Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. 2007. Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 45: 345-405.
Albertelli, G. and Cattaneo, M. 1985. Macrobenthos dei fondi molli del Mar Ligure. Proceedings of the VI Symposium of the Italian Association of Oceanography and Limnology (AIOL): 87-98.
Albertelli, G., Covazzi-Harriague, A., Danovaro, R., Fabiano, M., Fraschetti, S. and Pusceddu, A. 1999. Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability. Journal of Sea Research 42: 11-26.
Bakran Petricioli, T. 2007. Marine habitats-Manual for mapping and monitoring. State Institute for Nature Protection. 60 pp.
Bellan, G., Bourcier, M., Salen-Picard, C., Arnoux, A. and Casserley, S. 1999. Benthic ecosystem changes associated with wastewater treatment at Marseille: Implications for the protection and restoration of the Mediterranean Coastal Shelf ecosystems. Water Environment Research 71(4): 483-493.
Blum, W.E.H. 2009. Reviewing land use and security linkages in the Mediterranean region. In: Water scarcity, land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean region. Rubio, J., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W. and Pedrazzini, F. (Eds.). Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 101-117.
Bombace, G. 2001. Influence of climatic changes on stocks, fish species and marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean sea. Archivio di Oceanografia e Limnologia 22: 67-72.
Bressan, G., Chemello, R., Gravina, M.F., Gambi, M.C., Peirano, A., Cocito, S., Rosso, A. and Tursi, A. 2009. Other bioconcretions. In: Other types bioconstructions. Relini, G. (Ed.). Friuli Museum of Natural History, Udine, Italy. pp 90-114.
Dolenec, T., Lojen, S., Kniewald, G., Dolenec, M. and Rogan, N. 2007. Nitrogen stable isotope composition as a tracer of fish farming in invertebrates Aplysina aerophoba, Balanus perforatus and Anemonia sulcata in central Adriatic. Aquaculture 262: 237-249.
Dounas, C.G. and Koukouras, A.S. 1992. Circalittoral macrobenthic assemblages of Strymonikos Gulf (North Aegean Sea). P.S.Z.N.I. Marine Ecology 13(2): 85-99.
EEA. 2006a. The Changing Faces of Europe’s Coastal Areas. EEA Report 6/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA. 2006b. Priority Issues in the Mediterranean Environment. EEA Report 4/2006. OPOCE, Luxembourg.
EEA/UNEP. 1999. State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen.
Falace, A., Alongi, G., Cormaci, M., Furnari, G., Curiel, D., Cecere, E. and Petrocelli, A. 2010. Changes in the benthic algae along the Adriatic Sea in the last three decades. Chemical Ecology 26: 77-90.
Gabrié, C., Lagabrielle, E., Bissery, C., Crochelet, E., Meola, B., Webster, C., Claudet, J., Chassanite, A., Marinesque, S., Robert, P., Goutx, M. and Quod, C. 2012. The Status of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea. MedPAN & RAC/SPA (Eds.). MedPAN Collection. 256 pp.
Gabriele, M., Bellot, A., Gallotti, D. and Brunetti, R. 1999. Sublittoral hard substrate communities of the Northern Adriatic Sea. Cahiers de Biologie Marine 40(1): 65-76.
Jeftic, L., Bernhard, M., Demetropulous, A., Fernex, F., Gabrielides, G.P., Gasparovic, F., Halim, Y., Orhon, D. and Saliba, L.J. 1990. State of the Marine Environment in the Mediterranean Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies 132/1990 and MAP Technical Reports Series 28/1989. Athens.
MEPA. 2012. MSFD Initial Assessment: Benthic Habitats. MEPA. 86 pp.
Salen-Picard, C., Bellan, G., Bellansantini, D., Arlhac, D. and Marquet, R. 1997. Long-term changes in a benthic community of a Mediterranean gulf (Gulf of Fos). Oceanologica Acta 20(1): 299-310.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Damalas, D., Mifsud, R., Todorova, V., Pipitone, C., Fernandez, T.V., Mirto, S., Galparsoro, I., Pascual, M., Borja, A., Rabaut, M. and Braeckman, U. 2010. Catalogue of European seabed biotopes. Report of Deliverable 1.2 of MESMA project to the European Commission.
Salomidi, M., Katsanevakis, S., Borja, A., Braeckman, U., Damalas, D., Galparsoro, I., Mifsud, R., Mirto, S., Pascual, M., Pipitone, C., Rabaut, M., Todorova, V., Vassilopoulou, V. and Vega Fernández, T. 2012. Assessment of goods and services, vulnerability, and conservation status of European seabed biotopes: a stepping stone towards ecosystem-based marine spatial management. Mediterranean Marine Science 13: 49-88.
Simboura, N. and Zenetos, A. 2002. Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2: 77-111.
Stachowitsch, M. 1984. Mass Mortality in the Gulf of Trieste: The Course of Community Destruction. Marine Ecology 5(3): 243-264.
UNEP. 2006. Classification of benthic marine Habitat types for the Mediterranean Region. UNEP (OCA)/MED WG 149/5 Rev. 1.
UNEP/MAP. 2003. Concept Paper on Mediterranean Marine Pollution Indicators. (UNEP(DEC)/MED WG.231/17).
UNEP/MAP/PAP. 2001. White Paper: Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Priority Actions Programme, Split.
UNEP/MAP. 2012a. Initial integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Sea: Fulfilling step 3 of the ecosystem approach process. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
UNEP/MAP. 2012b. State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Mediterranean Action Plan, Barcelona Convention, Athens.
Vespe M, Gibin M, Alessandrini A, Natale F, Mazzarella F, & Osio G. in press. Mapping EU fishing activities using ship tracking data – accepted for publication, Journal of Maps – available at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1603.03826 
Vezzulli, L., Chelossi, E., Riccardi, G. and Fabiano, M. 2002. Bacterial community structure and activity in fish farm sediments of the Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Aquaculture International 10: 123-141.

Criterion A Text:
This habitat can be impacted from coastal human activities which alter seabed structure and biodiversity. However, recently, many different regulations have significantly decreased pollution and other human activites, especially fishing with trawls and dredges that were having a major negative effect on this habitat. Although changes have been noted in some locations, the overall trend in quantity is unknown. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
This habitat is present in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean basins. The precise extent is unknown but estimated as EOO >50,000km2 and AOO >50 which exceeds the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution. The habitat is known to have declined in quality although this cannot be quantified at the present time and this trend is considered likely to continue. The nature and size of threats to this habitat and the distribution data which are available suggest that no known threats are likely to affect all localities at once. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Least Concern under criterion B.

Criterion C/D Text:
This habitat can be impacted from coastal human activities which alter seabed structure and biodiversity. The use of towed gears (trawls, dredges etc,) has recently been prohibited within 3 nautical miles of the coast or within the 50 m isobath where that depth is reached at a shorter distance from the coast. Thus, major negative fishing effects should decline in shallow circallitoral areas where this habitat is present. Other pressures and threats, from pollution and aquaculture remain. Declines over the last 50 years cannot be quanitified but expert opinion is that this is likely to have been fairly substantial. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Near Threatened under criteria C/D.

Synthesis:
This habitat has a widespread distribution in the Mediterranean. It is known to be impacted from coastal human activities which alter seabed structure and biodiversity. The use of towed gears (trawls, dredges etc,) has recently been prohibited within 3 nautical miles of the coast or within the 50 m isobath where that depth is reached at a shorter distance from the coast. Thus, major negative fishing effects should decline in shallow circallitoral areas where this habitat is present. Other pressures and threats, from pollution and aquaculture remain. Declines over the last 50 years cannot be quanitified but expert opinion is that this is likely to have been fairly substantial. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Near Threatened under criteria C/D for the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.6z Circalittoral biogenic habitats in the Mediterranean - oyster beds

Habitat Description:
Circalittoral oyster beds on rocky and soft bottoms comprised mainly by the Neopycnodonte cochlear. These make large mass aggregations on the bottom and support the development of other life forms such as cnidarians, bryozoans and sponges. In the Mediterranean, two species of the genus Neopycnodonte exists. Neopycnodonte cochlear and Neopycnodonte zibrowii. N. cochlear is found in waters with depths of 40-400 meters while N. zibrowii is found in deeper waters and so not included further in this assessment. This habitat  can also be found in underwater caves, in even shallow waters, indicating that the dim light is the modulator of the distribution. In the circallitoral zone, N. cochlear can cover large areas of the bottom, both muddy and rocky. Often, shells can be found growing on disgarded fishing gears, when fleets use to fish in areas where deepsea oyster exists. There are three distinct habitat components; the interstices within the oyster matrix; the biodeposits beneath the bed; and the substratum afforded by the oyster shells themselves. A diverse range of epibiota and infauna often exists in these parts of the habitat.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. Presence, density and size range of the oyster N. cochlear can be used as an indicator of quality.
Characteristic species:
Oyster N. cochlear., Porifera, bryozoans like Pentapora sp., Myriapora sp., Crustacean and Cnidarian like Parazoanthus spp., Dendrophyllia spp, Desmophyllum spp. etc are some of the characteristic species that can be found in this formations. Molluscs and Decapods also occur.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4:. A sub-habitat of A5.6: Circalittoral biogenic habitat. 
 
Annex 1:
1170 Reefs
 
MAES:
Marine – Coastal
Marine - Shelf
 
MSFD:
Shelf sublittoral rock and biogenic reef
Shallow sublittoral rock and biogenic reef
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow photic rock and biogenic reef
Shallow aphotic rock and biogenic reef
 
IUCN:
9.2. Sub-tidal rock and rocky reefs

Comment EU28:
This habitat is present in all the sub-basins and is common. EOO and AOO are considered likely to exceed the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution alt

Comment EU28+:
This habitat is present in all the sub-basins and is common. EOO and AOO are considered likely to exceed the thresholds for a threatened category on the basis of restricted geographic distribution alt

Trends in Quantity:
There is no information related to the spatial extent of this habitat therefore trends in quantity are unknown.

Trends in Quality:
There is no information related to the spatial extent of this habitat, the hosted biodiversity and other metrics related to the ecological status. Trends in quality are therefore unknown.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
There is no information related to the spatial extent of this habitat

Justification of Restricted Area:
There is no information related to the spatial extent of this habitat

Pressures and Threats:
The exploration of the seabed and the activities for the extraction of oil and gas can affect the habitat of the oyster beds (formations). Benthic trawling has proven that large portion of the bycaught invertebrates are made by the keystone species such as Neopycnodonte cochlear. Marine water pollution and invasive non-native species can also potentially harm this habitat.

Conservation and Management:
Important measures for the protection of this habitat should start with the identification and mapping of the beds. Up to now, the knowledge of these beds comes from oceanographic cruises that collect benthic samples in specific locations (stations), from bycatch of the benthic trawls and artisanal fisheries as well as from information that is provided by museum collection and shell collectors. Management of demersal fisheries, including the establishment of protected areas, regulation of oil and gas licencing and disposal activities to avoid these habitats will be beneficial.

Summary:
This habitat is comprised of circalittoral oyster beds on rocky and soft bottoms where the predominant species is Neopycnodonte cochlear. They make large mass aggregations on the bottom and support the development of other life forms such as cnidarians, bryozoans and sponges. Circalittoral biogenic habitats in the Mediterranean such as oyster beds have not been studied in any detail. There is limited information about the occurence of the keystone species such as N. cochlear that form this beds and no information is available about the existence and spatial extent of such beds.
Threats to this habitat include the exploration of the seabed and the activities for the extraction of oil and gas can affect the habitat of the oyster beds (formations). Benthic trawling, water pollution and invasive non-native species can also potentially harm this habitat. Conservation measures could inlcude management of demersal fisheries, the establishment of protected areas, regulation of oil and gas licencing and disposal activities to avoid these habitats. This habitat would also benefit from further studies on the existence and spatial extent.

References:
Ciércoles, C., Garcia-Ruiz, C., González, M. and Rueda, J.L. 2015. Moluscos recolectados con arte de arrastre en fondos blandos circalitorales y batiales del norte del mar de Alborán. Resúmenes sobre el VIII Simposio MIA15, Málaga del 21 al 23 de Septiembre de 2015. pp 345-348.
Fabri, M.-C., Pedel, L., Beuck, L., Galgani, F., Hebbeln, D. and Freiwald, A. 2014. Megafauna of vulnerable marine ecosystems in French mediterranean submarine canyons: Spatial distribution and anthropogenic impacts. Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 104: 184-207. ISSN 0967-0645, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.06.016.
Giannoulaki, M., Belluscio, A., Colloca, F., Fraschetti, S., Scardi, M., Smith, C., Panayotidis, P., Valavanis, V. and Spedicato, M.T. 2013. Mediterranean Sensitive Habitats. DG MARE Specific Contract SI2.600741, Final Report. 557 pp.
Greenpeace International. 2009. High Seas Mediterranean Marine Reserves: a case study for the Southern Balearics and the Sicilian Channel. A briefing to the CBD’s Expert workshop on scientific and technical guidance on the use of biogeographic classification systems and identification of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction in need of protection. p 58.
Marbà, N. and Duarte, C.M. 2010. Spanish document aiming at the identification of Important ecosystem properties and assessment of ecological status and pressures to Mediterranean marine and coastal biodiversity. Contract RAC/SPA, N° 73-2009: 56 pp.
Requena, S., Madurell, T. and Gili, J.M. 2013. Description of the ecology of the Gulf of Lions shelf and slope area and identification of the areas that may deserve to be protected. UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA, Tunis. 64pp.
Würtz, M. (Ed.) 2012. Mediterranean Submarine Canyons: Ecology and Governance. Gland, Switzerland and Málaga. IUCN, Spain. 216 pp and references therein.

Criterion A Text:
There is insufficient data to determine any trends in quantity of this habitat in the past, present or future. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria A for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion B Text:
There is insufficient data to determine the EOO and AOO of this habitat or any trends in quantity/ quality of this habitat in the past, present or future. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria B for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.

Criterion C/D Text:
There is insufficient data to determine any trends in quality of this habitat in the past, present or future. Therefore this habitat has been assessed as Data Deficient under criteria C/D.

Criterion E Text:
There is no quantitative analysis available to estimate the probablity of collapse of this habitat type. Therefore, it is assessed as Data Deficient under criteria E.

Synthesis:
This circalittoral biogenic habitats has not been studied in any detail in the Mediterranean. Much is unknown about its spatial extent, biotic/abiotic characteristics and associated biodiversity. There is also a lack of information regarding trends. This habitat has therefore been assessed as Data Deficient for both the EU 28 and EU 28+.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.32 Communities of Marmara infralittoral mud estuarine

Habitat Description:
This habitat occurs mainly in sheltered inlets along and after estuaries, where wave exposure is low enough to allow fine sediments to settle. It is characterized by a variable salinity range from brackish to fully marine conditions. In all cases, the resident populations comprise a small number of species that are strongly dominant in number and weight. These are species that are able to withstand violent variations in environmental conditions, among which salinity is only one example. Sudden influxes of salt water create recurrent disturbances that sometimes cause populations to disappear. Often, especially in shallower areas, beds of Cymodocea nodosa are present.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time. There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. Some pontential indicators of quality for this specific habitat are the presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species.
Characteristic species:
Tubificoides spp , Capitella capitata, Ficopomatus enigmaticus, Heterochaeta costata, Alitta succinea, Spio decoratus, Aphelochaeta marioni, Hydrobia acuta, Spisula subtruncata, Corophium orientale, Gammarus aequicauda, Carcinus aestuarii, Thalassodrilides gurwitschi.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Sublittoral mud (A5.3)
 
Annex 1:
1130 Estuaries
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine – Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral mud
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow muds
 
IUCN:
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy
9.10 Estuaries

% of Distribution of the Habitat Type within the EU 28:
This habitat is only present in the Sea of Marmara, therefore it is not present in the EU28.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not occur in the Black Sea, therefore it’s maximum EOO for the Sea of Marmara is 11, 350km2. However, there is insufficient information to assess whether the habitat has undergone a significant decline (>

Pressures and Threats:
Many studies conducted within this zone show that the combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation have led to a shift in associated assemblages. Hence, in general, each estuary area within the Sea of Marmara is particularly and directly subject to various human activities. Thus, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), fisheries, and contamination of sediments and biota, caused by anti-foulants and atmospheric inputs of hazardous compounds and episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping of wreckages).

Conservation and Management:
Some legal provisions, e.g. in fisheries, regarding estuaries and this whole zone in general exist, but management measures aimed at conserving this particular habitat are not in place. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Summary:
The habitat is present in the Sea of Marmara (and Mediterranean Sea) but not the Black Sea where wave exposure is low enough to allow fine sediments to settle. It is characterized by a variable salinity range from brackish to fully marine conditions, mainly found in sheltered inlets along and after estuaries. There are three estuaries in the Sea of Marmara, the largest being the Golden Horn in the Bosporus. The pressures and threats likely to affect the habitat are: agricultural run-off, marine traffic, coastal development, and marine water pollution. The conservation and management measures which would benefit the habitat are: restoring coastal areas and marine habitats, improving water quality, establishing protected areas, management of marine traffic, and managing urban and industrial waste.

References:
AltuÄŸ, G., Aktan, Y., Oral, M., TopaloÄŸlu, B., Dede, A., Keskin, Ç., Ä°ÅŸinibilir, M., Çardak, M., Çiftçi, P. S. 2011. Biodiversity of the northern Aegean Sea and southern part of the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. Marine Biodiversity Records 4: 1–17.
Bakir, A. K., Katagan, T., Aker, H. V., Özcan, T., Sezgin, M., AteÅŸ, A. S., Koçak, C., Kirkim, F. 2014. The marine arthropods of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 765-831.
BalkÄ±s, H. 1992. A preliminary study on the macrobenthos of littoral of the Island of Marmara. Institute of Marine Sciences and Geography, Ä°stanbul Unviversity 9: 309–327 (article in Turkish with an abstract in English).
Çinar, M. E., Dagli, E., Kurt Åžahin, G. 2014. Checklist of Annelida from the coasts of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 734-764.
Demir, M. 1952. BoÄŸazlar ve adalar sahillerinin omurgasÄ±z dip hayvanlarÄ±. Istanbul University Faculty of Science, Hydrobiology Research Institute Publications 3: 1–615 (in Turkish).
Öztürk B, Dogan A, Bitlis-Bakir B, Salman A. (2014) Marine molluscs of the Turkish coasts: an updated checklist. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 832-879.
TopaloÄŸlu, B., Ozturk, B., Karakulak, F. S. 2004. The macrozoobenthic invertebrate fauna in the Marmara Sea. Rapp Comm Int Mer Medit 37: 554.
Tortonese, E. 1959. Osservazioni sul bentos del Mar di Marmara e del Bosforo. Natura Milano 50: 18–26 (in Turkish).

Criterion A Text:
There is insufficient data on changes in quantity of this habitat to determine any trends in quantity.


Habitat Type Name:
A2.42 Communities of Marmara littoral mixed sediment

Habitat Description:
Shores of mixed sediments ranging from muds with gravel and sand components to mixed sediments (pebbles, gravels, sands and mud in more even proportions). By definition, mixed sediments are poorly sorted. Similarly, there is unlikely to be an easily defined boundary between areas of mixed sediment with stable cobbles and boulders, and boulder fields which fall into the rocky shore category. Stable large cobbles or boulders may be present, which support epibiota such as fucoids and green seaweeds more commonly found on rocky and boulder shores. Mixed sediments which are predominantly muddy tend to support infaunal communities, which are similar to those of mud and sandy mud shores. Habitats with sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to reduced salinity, mainly on the mid and lower shore, may have an abundant community of ragworms Hediste diversicolor.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time. There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. Some potential indicators of quality which can be used are the presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species.
Characteristic species:
Ulva rigida, Aphelochaeta marioni, Capitella capitata, Cirriformia tentaculata, Sphaerosyllis taylori, Ostrea edulis, Cerastoderma edule, Hexaplex trunculus, Aora gracilis, Melita palmata, Microprotopus maculatus, Abra nitida, Pygospio elegans, Corophium volutator, Diogenes pugilator, Psidia bluteli, Pisidia longimana and Xantho poressa.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of littoral mixed sediment (A2.4)
 
Annex 1:
1130 Estuaries
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral coarse sediment
Shallow sublittoral mixed sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Not mapped
 
IUCN:
9.3 Subtidal loose rock/ pebble/ gravel
9.10 Estuaries
12.3 Shingle and/ or pebble shoreline and/ or beaches

Map Description:
This map has been generated based on export opinion and has been used to calculate AOO and EOO. The map should be treated with caution as it does not necessarily reflect the full distribution of the habtiat.

Pressures and Threats:
Being directly subject to various human activities, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), contamination of sediments and biota caused by anti-foulants and atmospheric inputs of hazardous compounds, and episodic perturbations (e.g. sediment removal and illegal dumping of wreckages).

Summary:
This habitat is present in the Sea of Marmara on shores of mixed sediments ranging from muds with gravel and sand components to mixed sediments (pebbles, gravels, sands and mud in more even proportions). The pressures and threats likely to affect the habitat are: agricultural run-off, marine traffic, coastal development, marine water pollution, and aggregate extraction. Currently this habitat is not addressed by any legislation or management aimed at its conservation. The conservation and management measures which would benefit the habitat are: restoring coastal areas and marine habitats, improving water quality, establishing protected areas, management of marine traffic, managing urban and industrial waste, and regulating the exploitation of natural resources.

References:
AltuÄŸ, G., Aktan, Y., Oral, M., TopaloÄŸlu, B., Dede, A., Keskin, Ç., Ä°ÅŸinibilir, M., Çardak, M., Çiftçi, P. S. 2011. Biodiversity of the northern Aegean Sea and southern part of the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. Marine Biodiversity Records 4: 1–17.
Bakir, A. K., Katagan, T., Aker, H. V., Özcan, T., Sezgin, M., AteÅŸ, A. S., Koçak, C., Kirkim, F. 2014. The marine arthropods of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 765-831.
BalkÄ±s, H. 1992. A preliminary study on the macrobenthos of littoral of the Island of Marmara. Institute of Marine Sciences and Geography, Ä°stanbul Unviversity 9: 309–327 (article in Turkish with an abstract in English).
Çinar, M. E., Dagli, E., Kurt Åžahin, G. 2014. Checklist of Annelida from the coasts of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 734-764.
Demir, M. 1952. BoÄŸazlar ve adalar sahillerinin omurgasÄ±z dip hayvanlarÄ±. Istanbul University Faculty of Science, Hydrobiology Research Institute Publications 3: 1–615 (in Turkish).
Öztürk, B., Dogan, A., Bitlis-Bakir, B., Salman, A. 2014. Marine molluscs of the Turkish coasts: an updated checklist. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 832-879.
TopaloÄŸlu, B., Ozturk, B., Karakulak, F. S. 2004. The macrozoobenthic invertebrate fauna in the Marmara Sea. Rapp Comm Int Mer Medit 37: 554.
Tortonese, E. 1959. Osservazioni sul bentos del Mar di Marmara e del Bosforo. Natura Milano 50: 18–26 (in Turkish).

Criterion B Text:
The precise extent of the habitat is unknown. Therefore there is insufficient data to calculate EOO and AOO.

Synthesis:
Detailed information on the abundance and extent of this habitat is lacking. Information on the quantity and quality of this habitat, including historical or recent trends, is absent. For the purposes of Red List assessment this habitat is therefore considered to be Data Deficient.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.38 Communities of Marmara infralittoral muddy detritic bottoms

Habitat Description:
This habitat develops in areas where a detritus bottom is covered with mud formed by terrigenous deposits from rivers. The sediment is a very muddy sand or sandy mud, or even a rather compacted mud, rich in shell debris; sedimentation is slow enough to allow the development of sessile epifauna. Gravel, sand and mud are mixed in varying quantities, but mud always predominates.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time. There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis.  Some potential indicators of quality for this specific habitat are the presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species.
Characteristic species:
Paradoneis lyra, Cerithium vulgatum, Bolinus brandaris, Tapes decussatus, Upogebia pusilla, Clibanarius erythropus.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Sublittoral mud (A5.3).
 
Annex 1:
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral mud
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow muds
 
IUCN:
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy

Map Description:
This map has been generated based on expert opinion and has been used to calculate AOO and EOO. The map should be treated with caution as it does not necessarily reflect the full distribution of the habitat.

Pressures and Threats:
Studies conducted within this zone show that the combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation have led to a shift in associated assemblages. This habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), fisheries, contamination of sediments and biota caused by anti-foulants and atmospheric inputs of hazardous compounds and episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping of wreckages).

Conservation and Management:
Some fisheries legislation for this whole zone in general exist, but management measures aimed at conserving this particular habitat are not in place. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Summary:
This habitat is present in the Sea of Marmara (and the Mediterranean Sea); it is not found in the Black Sea. The habitat develops in areas where a detritus bottom is covered with mud formed by terrigenous deposits from rivers. The pressures and threats likely to affect the habitat are agricultural run-off, commercial fishing, coastal development and marine water pollution. The conservation and management measures which would benefit the habitat are restoring coastal areas and marine habitats, improving water quality, establishing protected areas, management of marine traffic, and managing urban and industrial waste.

References:
AltuÄŸ, G., Aktan, Y., Oral, M., TopaloÄŸlu, B., Dede, A., Keskin, Ç., Ä°ÅŸinibilir, M., Çardak, M., Çiftçi, P. S. 2011. Biodiversity of the northern Aegean Sea and southern part of the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. Marine Biodiversity Records 4: 1–17.
BalkÄ±s, H. 1992. A preliminary study on the macrobenthos of littoral of the Island of Marmara. Institute of Marine Sciences and Geography, Ä°stanbul Unviversity 9: 309–327 (article in Turkish with an abstract in English).
Demir, M. 1952. BoÄŸazlar ve adalar sahillerinin omurgasÄ±z dip hayvanlarÄ±. Istanbul University Faculty of Science, Hydrobiology Research Institute Publications 3: 1–615 (in Turkish).
Öztürk, B., Dogan, A., Bitlis-Bakir, B., Salman, A. 2014. Marine molluscs of the Turkish coasts: an updated checklist. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 832-879.
TopaloÄŸlu, B., Ozturk, B., Karakulak, F. S. 2004. The macrozoobenthic invertebrate fauna in the Marmara Sea. Rapp Comm Int Mer Medit 37: 554.
Tortonese, E. 1959. Osservazioni sul bentos del Mar di Marmara e del Bosforo. Natura Milano 50: 18–26 (in Turkish).

Criterion B Text:
As the trends in quality and quantity of this habitat are unknown, there is insufficient data to conduct an assessment using criterion B.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.39 Communities of Marmara infralittoral (coastal) terrigenous muds

Habitat Description:
The sediment is always pure mud, more or less clayey, almost always derived from the erosion of rocks on land carried to the sea by rivers (fluvial origin). Such coarse debris as may be deposited is quickly covered, with the result that no epifauna develops. In sheltered areas this habitat is characterized by associations with Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera noltii.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time. There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. Some potential indicators of quality for this specific habitat are the presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species.
Characteristic species:
Turritella sp., Sternaspis scutata, Philine aperta, Sphaerocardium paucicostatum, Veretillum cynomorium, Aphrodita aculeata, Stichopus regalis, Holothuria tubulosa. Also Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera noltii.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Sublittoral mud (A5.3)
 
Annex 1:
1130 Estuaries
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal.
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral mud
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow muds
 
IUCN:
9.5 Subtidal sandy-mud
9.6 Subtidal muddy

Map Description:
This map has been generated based on expert opinion and has been used to calculate AOO and EOO. The map shoud be treated with caution as it does not necessarily reflect the full distribution of the habitat.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat does not occur in the Black Sea, therefore it’s maximum EOO for the Sea of Marmara is 11, 350km2. However, there is insufficient information to assess whether the habitat has undergone a significant decline

Pressures and Threats:
Many studies conducted within this zone show that the combined effects of urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation have led to a shift in associated assemblages. Thus, this habitat is especially prone to impacts such as coastal pollution (urban, agricultural, industrial, fish-farming, etc.), coastal zone development (particularly urbanization and uncontrolled coastal infrastructures), fisheries, contamination of sediments and biota caused by anti-foulants and atmospheric inputs of hazardous compounds and episodic perturbations (i.e. sediment removal and illegal dumping of wreckages).

Conservation and Management:
Some legal provisions, e.g. in fisheries, for this whole zone in general exist, but management measures aimed at conserving this particular habitat are not in place. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Summary:
The habitat is present in the Sea of Marmara on areas of  pure mud, more or less clayey, almost always derived from the erosion of rocks on land carried to the sea by rivers (fluvial origin). Such coarse debris as may be deposited is quickly covered, with the result that no epifauna develops. It is also found in the Mediterranean Sea, but absent from the Black Sea. The pressures and threats likely to affect the habitat are agricultural run-off, commercial fishing, coastal development and marine water pollution. The conservation and management measures which would benefit the habitat are restoring coastal areas and marine habitats, improving water quality, establishing protected areas, management of marine traffic and managing urban and industrial waste.

References:
Albayrak, S. 1996. Echinoderm Fauna of the Bosphorus (Turkiye). Oebelia 22: 25–32.
AltuÄŸ, G., Aktan, Y., Oral, M., TopaloÄŸlu, B., Dede, A., Keskin, Ç., Ä°ÅŸinibilir, M., Çardak, M., Çiftçi, P. S. 2011.. Biodiversity of the northern Aegean Sea and southern part of the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. Marine Biodiversity Records 4: 1–17.
BalkÄ±s, H. 1992. A preliminary study on the macrobenthos of littoral of the Island of Marmara. Institute of Marine Sciences and Geography, Ä°stanbul Unviversity 9: 309–327 (article in Turkish with an abstract in English).
ÇÄ±nar, M. E., YokeÅŸ, M. B., AçÄ±k, Åž., BakÄ±r, A. K. 2014. Check-list of Cnidaria and Ctenophora from the coasts of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 38: 677-697, doi:10.3906/zoo-1405-68.
Demir, M. 1952. BoÄŸazlar ve adalar sahillerinin omurgasÄ±z dip hayvanlarÄ±. Istanbul University Faculty of Science, Hydrobiology Research Institute Publications 3: 1–615 (in Turkish).
Özgür, E., Öztürk, B. 2010. Echinoderm fauna of the Marmara Sea and Istanbul Strait. Marmara Denizi 2010 Sempozyumu; 25-26 September 2010; Istanbul, Turkey, pp. 266–271(article in Turkish with an abstract in English).
Öztürk, B., Dogan, A., Bitlis-Bakir, B., Salman, A. 2014. Marine molluscs of the Turkish coasts: an updated checklist. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 832-879.
TopaloÄŸlu, B., Ozturk, B., Karakulak, F. S. 2004. The macrozoobenthic invertebrate fauna in the Marmara Sea. Rapp Comm Int Mer Medit 37: 554.
Topcu, E. N., Ozturk, B. 2013. Octocoral diversity of BalÄ±kcÄ± Island, the Marmara Sea. Journal of the Black Sea/Meditterrnean Environment 19: 46–57.
Tortonese, E. 1959. Osservazioni sul bentos del Mar di Marmara e del Bosforo. Natura Milano 50: 18–26 (in Turkish).

Criterion B Text:
As the trends in quality and quantity of this habitat are unknwon, there is insufficient data to conduct an assessment using criterion B.


Habitat Type Name:
A5.46 Communities of Marmara infralittoral (coastal) detritic bottoms

Habitat Description:
This habitat is usually associated with the lower infralittoral zone. In the Sea of Marmara this consists of two layers, a less saline upper layer (influenced by inflowing water from the Black Sea) and a more saline lower layer (influenced by the Mediterranean Sea). The nature of the substratum varies widely and depends largely on the typology of the adjacent coast and of nearby infralittoral formations. This implies that substrata can sometimes be gravels and sands originating from predominant local rocks, sometimes shell debris from various molluscs (mainly Mytilus galloprovincialis). The interstices between these various components are partially filled by a greater or lesser proportion of sand and mud.
Indicators of quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time. There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. Some potential indicators of quality for specific habitat are the presence and abundance of indicated characteristic species.
Characteristic species:
In the upper infralittoral layer, characteristic species include: Gracilaria verrucosa, Pagurus anachoretus, Clibanarius erythropus, Ophiothrix fragilis, Astropecten irregularis, Astropecten spinulosus, Asterina gibbosa, Marthasterias glacialis, Asterias rubens, Pisidia bluteli, Pisidia longimana, and  Botryllus schlosseri.
In the lower infralittoral layer, characteristic species comprise: Halymenia floresii, Veretillum cynomorium, Pteroeides spinosum, Philine aperta, Asterias rubens, Ocnus planci, Ciona intestinalis, and Phallusia mamillata.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4. A sub-habitat of Sublittoral mixed sediments (A5.4)
 
Annex 1:
1160 Large shallow inlets and bays
 
MAES:
Marine - Marine inlets and transitional waters
Marine - Coastal
 
MSFD:
Shallow sublittoral coarse sediment
Shallow sublittoral mixed sediment
 
EUSeaMap:
Shallow coarse or mixed sediments
 
IUCN:
9.3 Subtidal loose rock/ pebble/ gravel

Pressures and Threats:
This habitat is affected by human activities that increase mud transport from the coast (mainly untreated urban waste discharge, major construction works in the maritime field, and leaching from soil). Hyper- sedimentation may eliminate vulnerable communities, resulting in biotope homogenization and a consequent reduction of the associated biodiversity and the exploitable living resources. The combined effects of ongoing urbanization, fisheries, aquaculture and sedimentation are leading to a shift in associated assemblages.

Conservation and Management:
Legislation regulating fisheries exist in this area, but precise management measures aimed at conserving this particular habitat are not in place. Direct engagement of scientists and conservationists in the planning of the management process, analysis of social and economic costs and benefits of different management options, and involvement of diverse stakeholders will be essential to the successful implementation of conservation actions.

Summary:
This habitat is present in the Sea of Marmara on various substrata, from gravels and sands to shell debris from various molluscs. This habitat is usually associated with the lower infralittoral zone. In the Sea of Marmara this consists of two layers, a less saline upper layer (influenced by inflowing water from the Black Sea) and a more saline lower layer (influenced by the Mediterranean Sea). It is also found in the Mediterranean Sea, but not Black Sea. The pressures and threats likely to affect the habitat are agricultural run-off, commercial fishing, coastal development and marine water pollution. The conservation and management measures which would benefit the habitat are restoring coastal areas and marine habitats, improving water quality, establishing protected areas, management of marine traffic and managing urban and industrial waste.

References:
Albayrak, S. 1996. Echinoderm Fauna of the Bosphorus (Turkiye). Oebelia 22: 25–32.
AltuÄŸ, G., Aktan, Y., Oral, M., TopaloÄŸlu, B., Dede, A., Keskin, Ç., Ä°ÅŸinibilir, M., Çardak, M., Çiftçi, P. S. 2011. Biodiversity of the northern Aegean Sea and southern part of the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. Marine Biodiversity Records 4: 1–17.
Bakir, A. K., Katagan, T., Aker, H. V., Özcan, T., Sezgin, M., AteÅŸ, A. S., Koçak, C., Kirkim, F. 2014. The marine arthropods of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 765-831.
BalkÄ±s, H. 1992. A preliminary study on the macrobenthos of littoral of the Island of Marmara. Institute of Marine Sciences and Geography, Ä°stanbul Unviversity 9: 309–327 (article in Turkish with an abstract in English).
Çinar, M. E. 2014. Checklist of the phyla Platyhelminthes, Xenacoelomorpha, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Myxozoa, Tardigrada, Cephalorhyncha, Nemertea, Echiura, Brachiopoda, Phoronida, Chaetognatha, and Chordata (Tunicata, Cephalochordata, and Hemichordata) from the coasts of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 698-722. 
ÇÄ±nar, M. E., YokeÅŸ, M. B., AçÄ±k, Åž., BakÄ±r, A. K. 2014. Check-list of Cnidaria and Ctenophora from the coasts of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 38: 677-697, doi:10.3906/zoo-1405-68.
Demir, M. 1952. BoÄŸazlar ve adalar sahillerinin omurgasÄ±z dip hayvanlarÄ±. Istanbul University Faculty of Science, Hydrobiology Research Institute Publications 3: 1–615 (in Turkish).
Özgür, E., Öztürk, B. 2010. Echinoderm fauna of the Marmara Sea and Istanbul Strait. Marmara Denizi 2010 Sempozyumu; 25-26 September 2010; Istanbul, Turkey, pp. 266–271(article in Turkish with an abstract in English).
TopaloÄŸlu, B., Ozturk, B., Karakulak, F. S. 2004. The macrozoobenthic invertebrate fauna in the Marmara Sea. Rapp Comm Int Mer Medit 37: 554.
Topcu, E. N., Ozturk, B. 2013. Octocoral diversity of BalÄ±kcÄ± Island, the Marmara Sea. Journal of the Black Sea/Meditterrnean Environment 19: 46–57.
Tortonese, E. 1959. Osservazioni sul bentos del Mar di Marmara e del Bosforo. Natura Milano 50: 18–26 (in Turkish).

Criterion B Text:
AS the trends in quality and quantity of that habitat are unknown, there is insufficient data to conduct an assessment using criterion B.


Habitat Type Name:
Communities of Marmara mediolittoral caves and overhangs

Habitat Description:
The mediolittoral caves and overhangs are a special habitat whose main distinctive trait is the low irradiance. Algal growth is thus restricted to a very few species that can withstand low light levels, low to high hydrodynamism, and extended periods of desiccation. Canopy-forming macroalgae are overall absent whilst encrusting rhodophytes are preponderant. The communities are, however, very poor in species. Two species of Rodophyta dominate: Hildenbrandia rubra and Phymatholithon lenormandii, which shape the habitat Eunis A1.144b.
Indicators of quality
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time. There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. Some potential indicators of quality for this specific habitat are the presense of the characterissitc species mentioned.
Characteristic species
Rhodophyta (red algae): Hildenbrandia rubra., Phymatolothon lenormandii., Gymnothamnion elegans., Corallina elongata., Isopoda: Ligia italica., Cirripedia: Perforatus perforatus., Chthamalus stellatus., and Chthamalus montagui.

Classification:
EUNIS (v1405):
Level 4  (new definition): ‘Communities of Mediterranean mediolittoral caves and overhangs’ (A1.44).
 
Annex 1:
8330 Submerged or partially submerged sea caves
 
MAES:
Marine – Coastal Littoral rock and biogenic reef
 
MSFD:
Littoral rock and biogenic reef
 
EUSeaMap:
Not mapped
 
IUCN:
Rocky shoreline

Map Description:
This map has been generated based on expert opinion and has been used to caclualte AOO and EOO. The map should be treated with caution as it does not necissarily reflect the full distribution of the habitat.

Justification of Small Range/Regression:
This habitat occurs only in the Sea of Marmara, which has in total already an area below 50,000km2, the threshold for small natural range. But the habitat is known to occur also in the Mediterranean Sea. No data are available for habitat regression.</p

Pressures and Threats:
The characteristic species of this habitat are typically resistant to environmental stress. Coastal development such as harbour or dock constructions in nearby areas can alter the environmental conditions that shape the peculiar assemblages in this habitat.

Conservation and Management:
Marine cave habitats are protected by the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) under the name “Submerged or partially submerged sea caves” (Habitat code 8330). Semi-dark and dark cave communities have been included in two Action Plans by UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA (2008 and 2015 respectively), adopted by contracting parties of the Barcelona Convention specifically aiming at their conservation.
The creation of an appropriate Marine Caves' Register at the country level with an assessment of their ecological status, adequate regulations to protect these environments and further research to understand its diversity and function are recommended.

Conservation Status:
Annex 1:
8330: MBLS U1, MMED U1.
Marine caves are also habitat for some species of endangered bats and they are also a significant habitat for resting and reproduction of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).

Capacity to Recover its Typical Character and Functionality?:
The habitat might be able to recover after exposure to certain environmental stresses, however depending of the stressor it might not be able to recover at all (e.g. when invaded by invasive algae or when building works take place in the surrounding area).

Summary:
The habitat is present in the Sea of Marmara. The mediolittoral caves and overhangs are a special habitat whose main distinctive trait is the low irradiance. Canopy-forming macroalgae are overall absent whilst encrusting rhodophytes are preponderant. The pressures and threats likely to affect the habitat are coastal development, marine water pollution, marine traffic, invasive species and climate change. The caves are currently protect by the EU Habitats Directive. Conservation and management measures which would benefit the habitat are regulating commercial fishing activities and establishing protected areas,

References:
Aysel, V., AydÄ±n, A., Tomruk, A., Koç, H., AyÅŸenur, K., Nalan, O., Ilker, A., Gören, F., GümüÅŸçapa, G., Mert, S. 2006. The List of Algae and Seagrasses of Marmara Sea and Bosphorus between 1986-1994. Journal of the Black Sea/Meditterrnean Environment 12: 5-14.
Bakir, A. K., Katagan, T., Aker, H. V., Özcan, T., Sezgin, M., AteÅŸ, A. S., Koçak, C., Kirkim, F. 2014. The marine arthropods of Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology 38: 765-831.

Criterion B Text:
As the trends in quality and quantity of this habitat are unknwon there is insufficent data to conduct an assessment using criterion B.

Contributors:
V. Gerovasileiou, M. del Mar Otero, E. Alcazar


