EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB1 - Infralittoral rock > MB12 - Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB121 - Kelp and seaweed communities on Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB1215 - Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed Atlantic infralittoral rock

Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed Atlantic infralittoral rock

Description (English)

Very exposed to exposed infralittoral bedrock or large boulders characterised by the kelp Laminaria hyperborea, beneath which is a dense turf of foliose red seaweeds. Three variations of this biotope are described: the upper infralittoral kelp forest (unit MB1-2151), the kelp park below (unit MB1-2152) and a third type of kelp forest, confined to southern England, that is characterised by a mixture of L. hyperborea and Laminaria ochroleuca (unit MB1-2153). The fauna of these biotopes is markedly less abundant than kelp forests in areas of greater wave surge (unit MB1-213); sponges, anthozoans and polyclinid ascidians may be present, though never at high abundance. Beneath the under-storey of red seaweeds, the rock surface is generally covered with encrusting coralline algae.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB1215
Relation to	Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	Overlap	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Reefs	1170	Narrower	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Laminaria hyperborea

Algae Laminaria ochroleuca

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Laminaria hyperborea		Algae
Laminaria ochroleuca		Algae

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.115	Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral rock	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A3.115	Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.115	Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.115	Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.115	Laminaria hyperborea with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	EIR.KFaR.LhypR	Laminaria hyperborea forest with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral rock	same

Write to us

Call us

Sections