British NVC community SM1

British NVC community SM1 (Zostera communities) is one of the saltmarsh communities in the British National Vegetation Classification system.

This community is found very widely around Britain's coastline. There are no subcommunities, although stands of this community can be ascribed to one of three types based on the species present.

Community composition

The following constant species are found in this community, one in each type of stand:

• Eelgrass (Zostera marina)
• Narrow-leaved Eelgrass (Zostera angustifolia)
• Dwarf Eelgrass (Zostera noltei)

No rare species are associated with the community.

Distribution

This community is found widely around most of Britain's coastline, although stands of Zostera noltii and Zostera angustifolia are absent from the English west coast. Stands of Zostera marina are particularly frequent in western Scotland.

References

• Rodwell, J. S. (2000) British Plant Communities Volume 5 - Maritime communities and vegetation of open habitats ISBN 0-521-39167-9 (hardback), ISBN 0-521-64476-3 (paperback)