Cystoseira spp. in eulittoral rockpools
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A1.4114 |
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Description (English)
Eulittoral rockpools on exposed to moderately exposed south-western shores dominated by the brown alga Cystoseira spp. (including Cystoseira tamariscifolia), coralline crusts and Corallina officinalis. These pools generally support dense red algal growth comprising: Ceramium spp., Calliblepharis jubata, Chondrus crispus, Osmundea pinnatifida and Gelidium latifolium. Wracks such as Himanthalia elongata and the epiphytic brown seaweed Colpomenia peregrina are present while the kelp Laminaria digitata can occupy the deeper parts of the pool. The green seaweeds Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ulva lactuca are usually present as well. The pools usually contain some sand and pebbles at the base of the pool while spirorbid polychaetes and Pomatoceros spp. build their tubes on any small boulders present. In addition, these pools can support high numbers of grazing gastropods including the top shells Gibbula cineraria and Gibbula umbilicalis but also the limpet Patella vulgata, while sponges such Hymeniacidon perleve and Halichondria panicea can be found overgrowing the small boulders or on and around the seaweeds. The shanny Lipophrus pholis is present hiding underneath boulder and cobbles, while the anemone Actinia equina is found in cracks and crevices. number of available records and care should be taken not to interpret this solely as a very high species richness.
Situation: Rockpools throughout the eulittoral zone in bedrock on very exposed to moderately exposed south-western shores.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Colpomenia peregrina | Algae | |
Corallina officinalis | Algae | |
Cystoseira tamariscifolia | Algae | |
Enteromorpha intestinalis | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Actinia equina | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor.Cys | <I>Cystoseira</I> spp. in eulittoral rockpools | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A1.4114 | Cystoseira spp. in eulittoral rockpools | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A1.5113 | Cystoseira spp. in shallow eulittoral rockpools | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A1.5113 | Cystoseira spp. in shallow eulittoral rockpools | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A1.5113 | Cystoseira spp. in shallow eulittoral rockpools | same |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | LR.Rkp.Cor.Cys | Cystoseira spp. in shallow eulittoral rockpools | same |