EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB1 - Infralittoral rock > MB12 - Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB121 - Kelp and seaweed communities on Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB1217 - Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed Atlantic sublittoral fringe rock

Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed Atlantic sublittoral fringe rock

Description (English)

Exposed to moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock characterised by the kelp Laminaria digitata with coralline crusts covering the rock beneath the kelp canopy. Foliose red seaweeds such as Palmaria palmata, Membranoptera alata, Chondrus crispus and Mastocarpus stellatus are often present along with the calcareous Corallina officinalis. The brown seaweed Fucus serratus and the green seaweeds Cladophora rupestris and Ulva lactuca can be present as well. The sponge Halichondria panicea can be found among the kelp holdfasts or underneath overhangs. Also present on the rock are the tube-building polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter, the gastropods Patella vulgata and Gibbula cineraria. The bryozoan Electra pilosa can form colonies on especially C. crispus, M. stellatus and F. serratus while the hydroid Dynanema pumila are more common on the kelp. Three variants of this biotope are described: L. digitata forest on rocky shores (unit MB1-2171). L. digitata on boulder shores (unit MB1-2172) and soft rock supporting L. digitata, such as the chalk found in south-east England (unit MB1-2173). For L. digitata in sheltered, tide-swept conditions see unit MB1-21E.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB1217
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 Chondrus crispus

Algae Cladophora rupestris

Algae Corallina officinalis

Algae Fucus serratus

Algae Laminaria digitata

Algae Mastocarpus stellatus

Algae Membranoptera alata

Algae Palmaria palmata

Algae Ulva lactuca

Invertebrates Electra pilosa

Invertebrates Gibbula cineraria

Invertebrates Halichondria panicea

Invertebrates Patella vulgata

Invertebrates Pomatoceros triqueter

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Chondrus crispus		Algae
Cladophora rupestris		Algae
Corallina officinalis		Algae
Fucus serratus		Algae
Laminaria digitata		Algae
Mastocarpus stellatus		Algae
Membranoptera alata		Algae
Palmaria palmata		Algae
Ulva lactuca		Algae
Electra pilosa		Invertebrates
Gibbula cineraria		Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea		Invertebrates
Patella vulgata		Invertebrates
Pomatoceros triqueter		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.211	Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A3.211	Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.211	Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed or tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.211	Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed or tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.211	Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed or tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	MIR.KR.Ldig	Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed or tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock	same

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