Porphyra purpurea or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock
Description (English)
Exposed and moderately exposed mid-shore bedrock and boulders occurring adjacent to areas of sand which significantly affects the rock. As a consequence of sand-abrasion, wracks such as Fucus vesiculosus or Fucus spiralis are scarce and the community is typically dominated by ephemeral red or green seaweeds, particularly the foliose red seaweed Porphyra purpurea and green seaweeds such as Enteromorpha spp. Under the blanket of ephemeral seaweeds, the barnacles Semibalanus balanoides or Elminius modestus and the limpet Patella vulgata may occur in the less scoured areas, along with the occasional winkles Littorina littorea and Littorina saxatilis. Few other species are present.
Situation: Usually found below the species impoverished biotope dominated by Enteromorpha spp. (unit MA1-23G) and above the F. spiralis zone (MA1-23C). It may replace the zone dominated by the wrack Pelvetia canaliculata (MA1-241). In areas where sand abrasion is less severe, the sand-binding red alga Rhodothamniella floridula occurs with other sand-tolerant seaweeds and the wrack Fucus serratus, along with the mussel Mytilus edulis.
Temporal variation: Seasonal fluctuations in the abundance of the Enteromorpha spp. and the P. purpurea will occur, especially as a result of storm action.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MA123H |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Fucus serratus | Algae | |
Fucus spiralis | Algae | |
Fucus vesiculosus | Algae | |
Pelvetia canaliculata | Algae | |
Porphyra purpurea | Algae | |
Rhodothamniella floridula | Algae | |
Elminius modestus | Invertebrates | |
Littorina littorea | Invertebrates | |
Littorina saxatilis | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates | |
Semibalanus balanoides | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A1.452 | Porphyra purpurea or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A1.452 | Porphyra purpurea or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A1.242 | Porphyra purpurea or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A1.242 | Porphyra purpurea or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A1.232 | Porphyra purpurea or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock | same | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MLR.Eph.EntPor | Porphyra purpurea or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock | same |