Fucus spiralis on full salinity upper eulittoral mixed substrata

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MA123C2
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Description (English)

Moderately exposed to sheltered full salinity upper eulittoral mixed substrata characterised by a band of the wrack Fucus spiralis. Occasional clumps of the wrack Pelvetia canaliculata can be overgrowing the black lichen Verrucaria maura and the olive green lichen Verrucaria mucosa. On the more stable boulders underneath the fronds the red crust Hildenbrandia rubra can be found along with the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides and the limpet Patella vulgata. The winkles Littorina littorea and Littorina saxatilis can be found on and among the boulders and cobbles, while amphipods and the crab Carcinus maenas can be present either underneath the boulders or among the brown seaweeds. The green seaweed Enteromorpha intestinalis can occur in some abundance especially during the summer.
Situation: This zone usually lies below a zone dominated by the wrack P. canaliculata (units MA1-241; MA1-23B). Vertical surfaces in this zone, especially on moderately exposed shores, often lack the fucoids and are characterised by a barnacle-limpet dominated community (MA1-223).In areas of extreme shelter, such as in Scottish sea lochs, the P. canaliculata and F. spiralis zones often merge together forming a very narrow band. MA1-23C2 occur above the wracks Ascophyllum nodosum (MA1-23E2) and/or Fucus vesiculosus (MA1-23D2) zones. These two fucoids may also occur among the F. spiralis, although F. spiralis always dominates. Fucus spiralis can also be found above a barnacle S. balanoides and winkle L. littorea dominated biotope (MA4-231).
Temporal variation: Ephemeral green seaweeds such as E. intestinalis can occur in some abundance during the summer when the growth conditions are optimal.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Enteromorpha intestinalis
Algae Fucus spiralis
Algae Fucus vesiculosus
Algae Hildenbrandia rubra
Invertebrates Carcinus maenas
Invertebrates Patella vulgata
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Enteromorpha intestinalis Algae
Fucus spiralis Algae
Fucus vesiculosus Algae
Hildenbrandia rubra Algae
Carcinus maenas Invertebrates
Patella vulgata Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A1.3122 Fucus spiralis on full salinity upper eulittoral mixed substrata same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A1.3122 Fucus spiralis on full salinity upper eulittoral mixed substrata same
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