EUNIS habitat classification 2012 amended 2019 > A - Marine habitats > A4 - Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata > A4.7 - Features of circalittoral rock > A4.71 - Communities of circalittoral caves and overhangs

Communities of circalittoral caves and overhangs

English name: Communities of circalittoral caves and overhangs

Description (English)

Caves and overhanging rock in the circalittoral zone, away from significant influence of strong wave action (compare A3.71). This habitat may be colonised by a wide variety of species, with sponges such as Dercitus bucklandi, anemones Parazoanthus spp. and the cup corals Caryophyllia inornatus, Hoplangia durotrix and others particularly characteristic.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code A4.71
Bern Convention	Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4)
Relation to	Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	Overlap	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Reefs	1170	Overlap
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Submerged or partially submerged sea caves	8330	Overlap

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Dercitus bucklandi

Invertebrates Hoplangia durotrix

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Dercitus bucklandi		Invertebrates
Hoplangia durotrix		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405	CR.FCR.Cv	Circalittoral caves and overhangs	source
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112	12.71	Submerged sea-caves	wider
CORINE Land Cover	5.2.3.	Sea and ocean	not defined

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4.71	Communities of circalittoral caves and overhangs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.B	Communities of circalittoral caves and overhangs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.B	Caves and overhangs below the infralittoral zone	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.8	Caves and overhangs in the circalittoral zone	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A3.8	Caves and overhangs in the circalittoral zone	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A9.3	Circalittoral caves	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	12.71	Submerged sea-caves	wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	12.71	Submerged sea-caves	wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	12.71		wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	12.71		wider

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