Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

Biotope Information Sheets

​Biotope Information Sheets (BIS) have been created for all red-listed biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. The BIS give more details on the assessment criteria and a general description of the red-listed biotope, habitat or biotope complex.

Red List of Biotopes, Habitats and Biotope Complexes

NameBiotope nameThreat categoryThreat criteriaBiotope type
HELCOM Red List 1130 EstuariesEstuariesCritically Endangered (CR)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List AB.H3L3Baltic aphotic muddy sediment dominated by ocean quahog (Arctica islandica)Critically Endangered (CR)A2bBiotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List 1150 Coastal lagoonsCoastal lagoonsEndangered (EN)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List 1180 Submarine structures made by leaking gasesSubmarine structures made by leaking gasesEndangered (EN)B2c(ii)Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List AE.O5Baltic Sea aphotic pelagic below halocline oxicEndangered (EN)A3Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.M1Q2, AA.H1Q2. AA.I1Q2, AA.J1Q2Baltic photic mixed substrate, mud, coarse sediment or sand dominated by stable aggregations of unattached Fucus spp. (dwarf form)Endangered (EN)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.B1E4Baltic aphotic hard clay dominated by Astarte spp.Endangered (EN)B2c(ii)Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.H1I2Baltic aphotic muddy sediment dominated by Haploops spp.Endangered (EN)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.H2T1Baltic aphotic muddy sediment characterized by sea-pensEndangered (EN)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.H3L5Baltic aphotic muddy sediment dominated by Astarte spp.Endangered (EN)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.D, AB.DBaltic photic and aphotic maërl beds (unattached particles of coralline red algae)Endangered (EN)B1+2a(ii)Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List 1110 SandbanksSandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the timeVulnerable (VU)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List 1140 MudflatsMudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tideVulnerable (VU)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List 1160 Large shallow inlets and baysLarge shallow inlets and baysVulnerable (VU)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List 1170 ReefsReefsVulnerable (VU)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List 1650 Boreal Baltic narrow inlets 1650Boreal Baltic narrow inletsVulnerable (VU)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List AA.GBaltic photic peat bottomVulnerable (VU)B2(b)Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.J3L3Baltic aphotic sand dominated by ocean quahog (Arctica islandica)Vulnerable (VU)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.E1F1, AB.E1F1Baltic photic or aphotic shell gravel dominated by vase tunicate (Ciona intestinalis)Vulnerable (VU)B1a(ii)Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List ACBaltic Sea seasonal sea iceVulnerable (VU)A1+2aBiotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List 1610 Baltic esker islandsBaltic esker islands with sandy, rocky and shingle beach vegetation and sublittoral vegetationNear Threatened (NT)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List 1620 Boreal Baltic islets and small islandsBoreal Baltic islets and small islandsNear Threatened (NT)C1Biotope Complex
HELCOM Red List AA.A1H2, AB.A1H2, AA.M1H2, AB.M1H2Baltic photic or aphotic rock and boulders or mixed substrate dominated by erect moss animals (Flustra foliacea)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.E1C4Baltic photic shell gravel dominated by kelpNear Threatened (NT)B1a(ii)Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.H1A2Baltic photic muddy sediment dominated by sedges (Cyperaceae)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.H1B4, AA.I1B4, AA.J1B4, AA.M1B4Baltic photic muddy or coarse sediment, sand or mixed substrate dominated by CharalesNear Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.H1B7, AA.I1B7, AA.J1B7, AA.M1B7Baltic photic muddy sediment, coarse sediment, sand or mixed substrate dominated by common eelgrass (Zostera marina)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.H3L3Baltic photic muddy sediment dominated by ocean quahog (Arctica islandica)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.H3L6Baltic photic muddy sediment dominated by UnionidaeNear Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.I3L10, AA.J3L10, AB.I3L10, AB.J3L10Baltic photic or aphotic coarse sediment or sand dominated by multiple infaunal bivalve species: Macoma calcarea, Mya truncata, Astarte spp., Spisula spp.Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.I3L11, AB.I3L11, AA.J3L11, AB.J3L11Baltic photic or aphotic coarse sediment dominated by multiple infaunal polychaete species including Ophelia spp Baltic photic or aphotic sand dominated by multiple infaunal polychaete species including Ophelia spp. and Travisia forbesiiNear Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.J3L3Baltic photic sand dominated by ocean quahog (Arctica islandica)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.H3N1Baltic aphotic muddy sediment dominated by Monoporeia affinis and/or Pontoporeia femorataNear Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.H4U1Baltic aphotic muddy sediment dominated by meiofaunaNear Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.J3L7Baltic aphotic sand dominated by striped venus (Chamelea gallina)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.A1G2, AB.M1G2Baltic aphotic rock and boulders or mixed hard and soft substrates dominated by sea anemones (Actiniarida)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.A1G3, AB.M1G3Baltic aphotic rock and boulders or mixed hard and soft substrates dominated by stone corals (Scleractinida)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.A1G4, AB.M1G4Baltic aphotic rock and boulders or mixed hard and soft substrates dominated by soft corals (Alcyonacea)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.A1J, AB.M1JBaltic aphotic rock and boulders or mixed substrates dominated by sponges (Porifera)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.E3Y, AB.E3YBaltic photic or aphotic shell gravel characterized by mixed infaunal macrocommunity in fine sand-like shell fragmentsNear Threatened (NT)B1a(ii)Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AA.H1B5, AA.J1B5Baltic photic muddy sediment or sand dominated by spiny naiad (Najas marina)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat
HELCOM Red List AB.A1F1, AB.M1F1Baltic aphotic rock and boulders or mixed hard and soft substrates dominated by sea squirts (Ascidiacea)Near Threatened (NT)A1Biotope/Habitat