Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock
Description (English)
Dense subtidal stands of Ascophyllum nodosum, heavily epiphytised by sponges and ascidians in lagoon-like habitats. The wracks Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus can be present along with the brown seaweed Chorda filum and the red seaweed Polyides rotundus. The crab Carcinus maenas can be present between the A. nodosum holdfasts along with the shrimps Mysidae.
Situation: Nearby rock often supports similar biotopes of submerged fucoids and green seaweeds (unit A3.341). Slightly deeper rock often supports Laminaria saccharina (unit A3.3132), usually surrounded by more extensive areas of sediment. Seagrass beds thrive well in the muddy sand of these lagoons and often cover large areas. They include both Ruppia maritima and Zostera marina (units A5.5343 and A5.5331).
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A3.342 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A3) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Algae
Fucus serratus
Algae
Fucus vesiculosus
Algae
Laminaria saccharina
Flowering Plants
Ruppia maritima
Flowering Plants
Zostera marina
Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Fucus serratus | Algae | |
| Fucus vesiculosus | Algae | |
| Laminaria saccharina | Algae | |
| Ruppia maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Zostera marina | Flowering Plants | |
| Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | IR.LIR.Lag.AscSpAs | <I>Ascophyllum nodosum</I> with epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A3.342 | Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.332 | Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.332 | Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.332 | Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | SIR.Lag.AscSAs | Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock | same |
