Corallina officinalis, Himanthalia elongata and Patella ulyssiponensis on very exposed lower eulittoral rock
Description (English)
Very exposed to exposed lower eulittoral bedrock shores in the south-west can support a dense turf of the red seaweed Corallina officinalis found underneath the long erect fronds of the wrack Himanthalia elongata. The rock surface is pitted with the limpet Patella ulyssiponensis. Also found on the bedrock is the barnacle Chthamalus stellatus or the limpet Patella vulgata, while numerous cracks and crevices provide shelter for anemones such as Actinia equina or the mussel Mytilus edulis. Other turf-forming red seaweeds include Lomentaria articulata, Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata, Gastroclonium ovatum, Ceramium spp. and Osmundea pinnatifida which can be found along with the kelp Laminaria digitata. Foliose green seaweeds such as Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ulva lactuca may also be present along with siphonous Codium spp. Sponges such as Grantia compressa, Halichondria panicea and Hymeniacidon perleve may be present in shaded areas. The brown seaweed Bifurcaria bifurcata and the barnacle Balanus perforatus may occur in the extreme south-west.
Situation: This community usually forms a distinct band just above the kelp zone (MB1-211 or MB1-217). It can be found below the barnacle and P. vulgata dominated biotopes (MA1-222; MA1-223 or MA1-2232).
Temporal variation: There might be some fluctuations in the abundance of the individual species from year to year, which reverts this biotope into either MA1-2321 or MA1-233.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MA12322 |
---|---|
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 availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Bifurcaria bifurcata | Algae | |
Corallina officinalis | Algae | |
Enteromorpha intestinalis | Algae | |
Gastroclonium ovatum | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Actinia equina | Invertebrates | |
Balanus perforatus | Invertebrates | |
Chthamalus stellatus | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
Patella ulyssiponensis | Invertebrates | |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A1.1222 | Corallina officinalis, Himanthalia elongata and Patella ulyssiponensis on very exposed lower eulittoral rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A1.1222 | Corallina officinalis, Himanthalia elongata and Patella ulyssiponensis on very exposed lower eulittoral rock | same |