Turf algae on Black sea moderately exposed lower mediolittoral rock
Description (English)
Typically a narrow zone characterised by a cover of algal turf, particularly erect and crustose coralline algae on areas of moderately exposed bedrock and boulders in the lower mediolittoral zone. Characteristic species: Encrusting corallines (Lithophyllum incrustans), articulated corallines (Corallina officinalis) and ephemeral macrophytes like Ulva compressa, Cladophora sp. and Ceramiales make up the algal cover. Characteristic fauna includes the chiton Lepidochitona caprearum, the limpet Patella caerulea, barnacles Balanus improvisus, anemones Diadumene lineata, mussels Mytilaster lineatus and Mytilus galloprovincialis, bryozoans, amphipods (Hyale pontica, Ampithoe ramondi) and isopods (Idotea balthica, Sphaeroma pulchellum) crustaceans, and the crabs Pachygrapsus marmoratus and Eriphia verrucosa. If the water is clean Corallina and Mytilaster may form dense turfs/belts, with sparse cover of other algae (Ceramiales, Porphyra leucosticta, Ulva rigida, Scytosiphon lomentaria). In degraded, enriched areas Mytilus galloprovincialis and Balanus improvisusdominate, with some cover of the algae Cladophora vagabunda, Cladophora laetevirens, Ulva compressa, Ulva intestinalis and Ulothrix flacca.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MA147 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Cladophora laetevirens | Algae | |
Cladophora vagabunda | Algae | |
Corallina officinalis | Algae | |
Lithophyllum incrustans | Algae | |
Porphyra leucosticta | Algae | |
Scytosiphon lomentaria | Algae | |
Ulothrix flacca | Algae | |
Ulva rigida | Algae | |
Ampithoe ramondi | Invertebrates | |
Balanus improvisus | Invertebrates | |
Eriphia verrucosa | Invertebrates | |
Hyale pontica | Invertebrates | |
Idotea balthica | Invertebrates | |
Mytilaster lineatus | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus galloprovincialis | Invertebrates | |
Pachygrapsus marmoratus | Invertebrates | |
Patella caerulea | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A1.16 | Pontic communities of exposed mediolittoral rock | narrower |
European Red List of Habitats | BLSA1.21 | Turf algae on Pontic moderately exposed lower mediolittoral rock. | same |