Spartina swards (Spartinion maritimae)
Perennial Spartina swards in coastal mudflats (Spartinion maritimae). Usually formed by a single monodominant Spartina (cord-grass) species (differs from region to region) as the only higher plant, to approximately -0.4 m under MHWT in the North Sea; Spartina displaces or replaces the glasswort and salt meadow zone in parts.
Notes on habitat mapping
The criterion for the delimitation of this habitat type is the occurrence (dominance) of Spartina swards. Smaller areas between Spartina swards which are free of vegetation may be included. Mixed stands of individual Spartina tussocks and glassworts should be considered under glasswort mudflats and sandflats (1310).
Comments
Proposal for amendment: Should be narrowed down to the indigenous European diploid species Spartina maritima (2n = 60) as the polyploid cross Spartina anglica (2n = 122) is not endangered. Could be considered under Glasswort swards (15.11). Spartina maritima and the sterile cross Spartina x townsendii (maritima x alterniflora) do not occur in Germany. Spartina maritima has gone extinct in Belgium. From a German perspective this is a habitat type that is not at present endangered and that does not require protective measures.