EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA1 - Littoral rock > MA12 - Atlantic littoral rock > MA123 - Seaweed communities on full salinity Atlantic littoral rock > MA123B - Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock

Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock

Description (English)

Lower littoral fringe bedrock or stable boulders and mixed substrata in sheltered to extremely sheltered conditions characterised by a dense cover of the wrack Pelvetia canaliculata. The biotope may be present in localised sheltered patches on moderately exposed shores. P. canaliculata overgrows a crust of black lichens Verrucaria maura or the non-calcified red algae Hildenbrandia rubra on very sheltered shores. Individuals of the wrack Fucus spiralis can usually be found among the P. canaliculata and/or in lower part of the biotope. This biotope lacks the density of barnacles found amongst the P. canaliculata on more exposed shores. The winkle Littorina saxatilis occurs, as do a variety of amphipods. The red alga Catenella caespitosa can be present especially in more shaded areas while the green seaweed Enteromorpha spp. can be present in moist areas.
Situation: This biotope is found in the lower littoral fringe on sheltered shores below biotopes dominated by V. maura (unit MA1-2132) and above biotopes dominated by F. spiralis (unit MA1-242). Though not typical, this biotope may occur on moderately exposed shores where local topography provides shelter.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MA123B
Relation to Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Fucus spiralis
Algae Hildenbrandia rubra
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Fucus spiralis Algae
Hildenbrandia rubra Algae

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A1.311 Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A1.311 Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A1.311 Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A1.311 Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A1.311 Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) SLR.F.Pel Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock same
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