Laminaria digitata and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A3.2112 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A3) |
Description (English)
This Laminaria digitata biotope is found predominantly on moderately exposed boulder shores and occasionally also on exposed or sheltered shores. Upper surfaces of the boulders are colonised by dense L. digitata though other kelp such as Laminaria hyperborea and Laminaria saccharina or the wrack Fucus serratus can be present at lower abundance. The kelp fronds can be colonised by the bryozoan Membranipora membranacea. Beneath the kelp canopy are a variety of red seaweeds such as Mastocarpus stellatus, Chondrus crispus, Palmaria palmata, Membranoptera alata, Corallina officinalis and coralline crusts. Green seaweeds include Cladophora rupestris and Ulva lactuca. Where space is available beneath the boulders (i.e. they are not buried in sediment) there may be a rich assemblage of animals. Characteristic species include the crabs Porcellana platycheles, Pisidia longicornis and juvenile Cancer pagurus. Also present beneath the boulders are often high densities of the barnacle Balanus crenatus, the tube-building polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter, spirorbid worms, the polychaete Harmotho‰ sp., gammarid amphipods and a few gastropods such as Gibbula cineraria. The encrusting bryozoans Electra pilosa and Umbonula littoralis and encrusting colonies of the sponges Halichondria panicea and Halisarca dujardini are also typical of this habitat. The richest examples also contain a variety of echinoderms such as Asterias rubens, colonial ascidians such as Botryllus schlosseri and small hydroids.
Situation: This biotope is found in a similar situation to unit A3.2111, usually beneath the Fucus serratus zone (units A1.2141 or A1.2142) and above the Laminaria hyperborea zone (unit A3.214). Many of the animals found under boulders in the lower shore in A1.2142 are also found under boulders in the sublittoral fringe (A3.2112), particularly the sponges and crabs. Similarly, many of the seaweeds present on the lower shore are also present in the shallow sublittoral fringe.
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 |
---|---|---|
Cladophora rupestris | Algae | |
Corallina officinalis | Algae | |
Fucus serratus | Algae | |
Laminaria hyperborea | Algae | |
Laminaria saccharina | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Botryllus schlosseri | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Electra pilosa | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Porcellana platycheles | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | IR.MIR.KR.Ldig.Bo | <I>Laminaria digitata</I> and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A3.2112 | Laminaria digitata and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.21111 | Laminaria digitata and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.21111 | Laminaria digitata and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.21111 | Laminaria digitata and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders | same |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MIR.KR.Ldig.Ldig.Bo | Laminaria digitata and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders | same |