The occurrence of characteristic species is beneficial for the quality of a habitat type. This applies to all above-mentioned characteristic species of, for example, invertebrates and eelgrass. Most Dutch sandflats are devoid of plants, but locally algal communities or eelgrass covering can be found. This concerns mostly Dwarf eelgrass (Zostera noltii), as Common eelgrass needs to be covered by water. Dose-effect relations for the occurrence of eelgrass is included under macrophytes (Dwarf eelgrass - Zostera noltii and Common eelgrass - Zostera marina) only available in Dutch. For a number of invertebrates, there are already dose-effect relations. These will be included in the database soon.

Mudflats and sandflats are an important feeding ground for Benthivorous birds. Therefore, the habitat suitability of this group of birds has been included as an additional dose-effect relation. The dose-effect relations of Benthivorous birds are described on the 'benthivorous birds' page only available in Dutch.