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Concept: Estuaries in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/X01
Preferred label Estuaries
Definition Downstream part of a river valley, subject to the tide and extending from the limit of brackish waters. River estuaries are coastal inlets where there is generally a substantial freshwater influence. The mixing of freshwater and sea water and the reduced current flows in the shelter of the estuary lead to deposition of fine sediments, often forming extensive intertidal sand and mud flats. In addition to herbs, they can also be colonised by shrubs creating thickets (e.g. [Tamarix] spp.). Where the tidal currents are faster than flood tides, most sediments deposit to form a delta at the mouth of the estuary. Baltic river mouths, considered as an estuary subtype, have brackish water and no tide, with helophytic wetland vegetation and luxurious aquatic vegetation in shallow water areas. Littoral and sublittoral habitat types typical of estuaries are included in A2 and A5, although many other habitat types including tidal rivers may occur in estuaries. Includes Transitional waters as defined by the Water Framework Directive.
Notation X01
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match