Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MB12171 |
---|---|
Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Description (English)
Exposed to sheltered sublittoral fringe bedrock dominated by a dense canopy of Laminaria digitata, often with a wide range of filamentous and foliose red seaweeds beneath. The most frequently occurring red seaweeds are Palmaria palmata, Corallina officinalis, Mastocarpus stellatus, Chondrus crispus, Lomentaria articulata and Membranoptera alata. Generally the rocky substratum is covered by encrusting coralline algae, on which occasional limpets Patella vulgata and topshells Gibbula cineraria graze. A wide variety of fauna occurs, some of the most commonly occurring species being the sponge Halichondria panicea and the tube-building polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter. Kelp holdfasts provide a refuge for a varied assemblage of species such as sponges and the limpet Helcion pellucidum, while encrusting bryozoans such as Electra pilosa more often are found on the fronds of foliose red seaweeds. Solitary ascidians may be locally abundant where overhanging or vertical rock occurs, while the hydroid Dynamena pumila can be abundant on Fucus serratus and Laminaria sp. fronds. On exposed, wave-surged shores, the robust red seaweeds M. stellatus, C. crispus and C. officinalis can form a dense turf beneath the kelp along with the occasional green seaweed Ulva lactuca. Similarly on such shores the mussel Mytilus edulis can occur in extremely dense aggregations on the rock, beneath the kelp canopy.
Situation: This biotope is usually found on the extreme low shore below the Fucus serratus zone (unit MA1-244) and above the truly sublittoral Laminaria hyperborea zone (unit MB1-21A).
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
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 |
---|---|---|
Corallina officinalis | Algae | |
Fucus serratus | Algae | |
Laminaria hyperborea | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Electra pilosa | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A3.2111 | Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A3.2111 | Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.2111 | Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.2111 | Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.2111 | Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock | same | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MIR.KR.Ldig.Ldig | Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock | same |