Foliose red seaweeds on exposed lower infralittoral rock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A3.116 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A3) |
Description (English)
A dense turf of foliose red seaweeds on exposed or moderately exposed lower infralittoral rock, generally, at or below the lower limit of the kelp. Most of the red seaweeds are common to the kelp zone above, while the faunal component of the biotope is made up of species that are found either in the kelp zone or the animal-dominated upper circalittoral below. Foliose species commonly present include Dilsea carnosa, Hypoglossum hypoglossoides, Schottera nicaeensis, Cryptopleura ramosa and Delesseria sanguinea. The red seaweed species composition varies considerably; at some sites a single species may dominate (particularly Plocamium cartilagineum). Small filamentous red seaweeds can be found here as well. These include species such as Heterosiphonia plumosa, Brongniartella byssoides. As well as a varied red seaweed component, this biotope may also contain occasional kelp plants and patches of the brown foliose seaweed Dictyota dichotoma. Coralline crusts covers the bedrock beneath the seaweeds. The fauna generally comprises low-encrusting forms such as the tubeworms Pomatoceros spp., anthozoans including Alcyonium digitatum, Urticina felina and Caryophyllia smithii) and occasional sponge crusts such as Cliona celata, Esperiopsis fucorum, Scypha ciliata and Dysidea fragilis. More mobile fauna include the gastropod Calliostoma zizyphinum, the echinoderms Echinus esculentus as well as the starfish Asterias rubens and Marthasterias glacialis and lastly, the crab Cancer pagurus. Bryozoan crusts such as Electra pilosa can be found fronds on the foliose red seaweeds while scattered hydroids such as Nemertesia antennina form colonies on shells, cobbles and available rock. At some sites erect bryozoans Crisia spp. and Bugula spp. are present. Ascidians such as Clavelina lepadiformis and Clavelina lepadiformis may also be common. In the north the foliose red seaweed Callophyllis laciniata may occur.
Situation: This biotope is generally found at or below the lower limit of the kelp, below either kelp forest or park (units A3.1151 and A3.1152).
Temporal variation: Many of the red seaweeds, which occur in this biotope, have annual fronds, which tend to die back in the autumn and regenerate again in the spring. This produces a seasonal change in the density of the seaweed cover, which is substantially reduced over winter months and reaches its most dense between April to September.
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 |
---|---|---|
Brongniartella byssoides | Algae | |
Callophyllis laciniata | Algae | |
Cryptopleura ramosa | Algae | |
Delesseria sanguinea | Algae | |
Dictyota dichotoma | Algae | |
Dilsea carnosa | Algae | |
Heterosiphonia plumosa | Algae | |
Hypoglossum hypoglossoides | Algae | |
Plocamium cartilagineum | Algae | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Calliostoma zizyphinum | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Caryophyllia smithii | Invertebrates | |
Clavelina lepadiformis | Invertebrates | |
Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
Dysidea fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Echinus esculentus | Invertebrates | |
Electra pilosa | Invertebrates | |
Esperiopsis fucorum | Invertebrates | |
Marthasterias glacialis | Invertebrates | |
Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
Urticina felina | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR | Foliose red seaweeds on exposed lower 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 | A3.116 | Foliose red seaweeds on exposed lower infralittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.117 | Foliose red seaweeds on exposed or moderately exposed lower infralittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.117 | Foliose red seaweeds on exposed or moderately exposed lower infralittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.117 | Foliose red seaweeds on exposed or moderately exposed lower infralittoral rock | same |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | EIR.KFaR.FoR | Foliose red seaweeds on exposed or moderately exposed lower infralittoral rock | same |