Very tide-swept faunal communities on circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This habitat type occurs in wave-exposed, tide-swept narrows and straits on circalittoral bedrock and boulders. The biotopes within this complex are characterised by a high abundance of the robust hydroid Tubularia indivisa. The barnacle Balanus crenatus is characteristic of A4.111, the cushion sponges Halichondria panicea and Myxilla incrustans are characteristic of A4.1121 and Alcyonium digitatum is characteristic of A4.1122. The anemones Sagartia elegans, Actinothoe sphyrodeta, Urticina felina, Corynactis viridis and Metridium senile are all found within this complex. Other species present in this high-energy complex are the sponges Esperiopsis fucorum and Pachymatisma johnstonia, the bryozoans Alcyonidium diaphanum and Flustra foliacea, Cancer pagurus, Sertularia argentea and Asterias rubens.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A4.11 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Alcyonium digitatum
Invertebrates
Asterias rubens
Invertebrates
Cancer pagurus
Invertebrates
Corynactis viridis
Invertebrates
Flustra foliacea
Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea
Invertebrates
Metridium senile
Invertebrates
Pachymatisma johnstonia
Invertebrates
Sagartia elegans
Invertebrates
Sertularia argentea
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
| Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
| Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
| Corynactis viridis | Invertebrates | |
| Flustra foliacea | Invertebrates | |
| Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
| Metridium senile | Invertebrates | |
| Pachymatisma johnstonia | Invertebrates | |
| Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates | |
| Sertularia argentea | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.HCR.FaT | Very tide-swept faunal communities | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.11 | Very tide-swept faunal communities on circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.53 | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.53 | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.53 | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.53 | Barnacle and cushion sponge communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | narrower |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A5.13 | Barnacle and cushion sponge communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | narrower |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.BS | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities (very tide-swept/wave-sheltered) | narrower |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.BCuS | same |
