Atlantic and Baltic rocky sea cliff and shore
Description (English)
Cliffs, together with vegetated crevices, ledges and cliff-tops along the coasts of the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean south to middle Portugal. Exposed bedrock dominates the habitat, and its very variable composition and structure determine the character of available surfaces. The height and slope of the cliffs influence the input of salt spray which, on exposed coasts, can be very high close to the sea. This combination of local climatic and topographic conditions determines the often strong zonation of crevice vegetation, grasslands and heaths found on the cliffs, with regional climate also affecting the flora. Nesting seabirds also add a distinctive nutrient-demanding element to the flora on their guano.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code N31 |
|---|---|
| Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableIndicator species
Flowering Plants
Crithmum maritimum
Flowering Plants
Armeria pubigera
Flowering Plants
Cochlearia danica
Flowering Plants
Cochlearia officinalis
Flowering Plants
Sagina maritima
Flowering Plants
Limonium binervosum
Flowering Plants
Plantago coronopus
Flowering Plants
Silene uniflora
Flowering Plants
Limonium ovalifolium
Flowering Plants
Catapodium marinum
Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima
Diagnostic species occur concentrated in the habitat in question, but are absent or rare in other habitats. They are good positive indicators of the habitat, but they do not need to occur in every location of the habitat.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Crithmum maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Armeria pubigera | Flowering Plants | |
| Cochlearia danica | Flowering Plants | |
| Cochlearia officinalis | Flowering Plants | |
| Sagina maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium binervosum | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago coronopus | Flowering Plants | |
| Silene uniflora | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium ovalifolium | Flowering Plants | |
| Catapodium marinum | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Festuca rubra
Flowering Plants
Crithmum maritimum
Flowering Plants
Plantago coronopus
Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima
Flowering Plants
Silene uniflora
Flowering Plants
Cochlearia danica
Flowering Plants
Cochlearia officinalis
Flowering Plants
Sagina maritima
Flowering Plants
Daucus carota
Flowering Plants
Catapodium marinum
Flowering Plants
Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima
Flowering Plants
Agrostis stolonifera
Flowering Plants
Tripleurospermum maritimum
Flowering Plants
Limonium binervosum
Constant species occur frequently in the habitat, but they may include generalist species that are also frequent in other habitats.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants | |
| Crithmum maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago coronopus | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Silene uniflora | Flowering Plants | |
| Cochlearia danica | Flowering Plants | |
| Cochlearia officinalis | Flowering Plants | |
| Sagina maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Daucus carota | Flowering Plants | |
| Catapodium marinum | Flowering Plants | |
| Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Agrostis stolonifera | Flowering Plants | |
| Tripleurospermum maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Limonium binervosum | Flowering Plants |
Flowering Plants
Crithmum maritimum
Flowering Plants
Plantago coronopus
Flowering Plants
Plantago maritima
Flowering Plants
Festuca rubra
Dominant species are those that often reach high cover in the habitat, thus determining the habitat physiognomy.
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Crithmum maritimum | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago coronopus | Flowering Plants | |
| Plantago maritima | Flowering Plants | |
| Festuca rubra | Flowering Plants |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B3.2 | Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets | overlap |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | B3.3 | Rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with angiosperms | overlap |
| European Red List of Habitats | B3.1a | Atlantic and Baltic rocky sea cliff and shore | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | B3.3 | Rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with angiosperms | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | B3.2 | Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | B3.3 | Rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with angiosperms | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | B3.2 | Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | B3.2 | Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | B3.3 | Rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with halophytic angiosperms | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | B3.2 | Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | B3.3 | Rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with halophytic angiosperms | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | B3.3 | Oceanic rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with halophytic angiosperms | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | B3.2 | Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | B7.1 | Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges and shores | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | B7.2 | Oceanic rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with halophytic angiosperms | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 18.2 | Sea-cliff and rocky shore aerohaline communities | wider | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 18.1 | Sea-cliff faces, seaside rocks | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 18.1 | Sea-cliff faces, seaside rocks | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 18.2 | Sea-cliff and rocky shore aerohaline communities | wider | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 18.2 | wider | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 18.1 | same | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 18.2 | wider | ||
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 18.1 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 18.1 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 18.2 | wider | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 18.1 | same | ||
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 18.2 | wider |
