Macaronesian rocky sea cliff and shore

Description (English)

The rocky cliffs of the Macaronesian islands comprise a narrow strip of basalt lava influenced by salt-spray whose zonation of crevice and ledge vegetation vary on the different island groups of the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores, with endemics providing a highly distinctive aspect to the flora. The habitat also provides important sites for nesting seabirds whose guano offers a nutrient-rich surface for colonisation.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code N33
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Indicator species

Diagnostic species
Constant species
Dominant species
Flowering Plants Frankenia laevis
Flowering Plants Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Ferns Asplenium marinum
Flowering Plants Spergularia azorica

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
Frankenia laevis Flowering Plants
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Flowering Plants
Asplenium marinum Ferns
Spergularia azorica Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Frankenia laevis
Flowering Plants Crithmum maritimum
Flowering Plants Plantago coronopus
Flowering Plants Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum
Flowering Plants Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Flowering Plants Atriplex glauca

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
Frankenia laevis Flowering Plants
Crithmum maritimum Flowering Plants
Plantago coronopus Flowering Plants
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum Flowering Plants
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Flowering Plants
Atriplex glauca Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants Frankenia laevis
Flowering Plants Crithmum maritimum
Flowering Plants Salsola oppositifolia

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
Frankenia laevis Flowering Plants
Crithmum maritimum Flowering Plants
Salsola oppositifolia Flowering Plants

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 B3.2 Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 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 200308 B3.3 Rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with angiosperms 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 B3.3 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 199811 B3.2 Unvegetated rock cliffs, ledges, shores and islets same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 B3.3 Oceanic rock cliffs, ledges and shores, with halophytic angiosperms 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 18.1 Sea-cliff faces, seaside rocks same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 18.2 Sea-cliff and rocky shore aerohaline communities wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 18.2 Sea-cliff and rocky shore aerohaline communities wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 18.1 Sea-cliff faces, seaside rocks same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 18.1   same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 18.2   wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 18.2   wider
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 18.1   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 18.2   wider
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 18.1   same
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 18.2   wider
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 18.1   same
European Environment Agency (EEA)
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Denmark
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