Laminaria hyperborea on tide-swept Atlantic infralittoral rock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MB1218 |
---|---|
Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Description (English)
Wave exposed to moderately wave exposed, tide-swept bedrock and boulders with Laminaria hyperborea, characterised by a rich under-storey and stipe flora of foliose seaweeds including the brown seaweed Dictyota dichotoma. The kelp stipes support epiphytes such as Cryptopleura ramosa and Phycodrys rubens. At some sites, instead of being covered by red seaweeds, the kelp stipes are heavily encrusted by the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. Epilithic seaweeds Delesseria sanguinea, Plocamium cartilagineum Heterosiphonia plumosa, Hypoglossum hypoglossoides, Callophyllis laciniata, Kallymenia reniformis, Brongniartella byssoides and crustose seaweeds commonly occur beneath the kelp. The kelp fronds are often covered with growth of the hydroid Obelia geniculata or the bryozoan Membranipora membranacea. On the rock surface, a rich fauna comprising the bryozoan Electra pilosa, the sponge Pachymatisma johnstonia, anthozoans such as Alcyonium digitatum, Sagartia elegans and Urticina felina, colonial ascidians such as Clavelina lepadiformis, the calcareous tubeworm Pomatoceros triqueter and the barnacle Balanus crenatus occur. More mobile species include the gastropod Calliostoma zizyphinum, the crab Cancer pagurus and the echinoderms Asterias rubens and Echinus esculentus. Two variants have been described: Tide-swept kelp forest (unit MB1-2181) and tide-swept kelp park (unit MB1-2182).
Situation: This biotope occurs below Alaria esculenta at exposed sites or L. digitata at moderately exposed locations. With increasing depth the kelp density diminishes to become tide-swept kelp park (MB1-2182).
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 |
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Alaria esculenta | Algae | |
Brongniartella byssoides | Algae | |
Callophyllis laciniata | Algae | |
Cryptopleura ramosa | Algae | |
Delesseria sanguinea | Algae | |
Dictyota dichotoma | Algae | |
Hypoglossum hypoglossoides | Algae | |
Kallymenia reniformis | Algae | |
Laminaria hyperborea | Algae | |
Phycodrys rubens | Algae | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Balanus crenatus | Invertebrates | |
Botryllus schlosseri | Invertebrates | |
Calliostoma zizyphinum | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Clavelina lepadiformis | Invertebrates | |
Echinus esculentus | Invertebrates | |
Electra pilosa | Invertebrates | |
Membranipora membranacea | Invertebrates | |
Obelia geniculata | Invertebrates | |
Pachymatisma johnstonia | Invertebrates | |
Pomatoceros triqueter | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates | |
Urticina felina | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A3.212 | Laminaria hyperborea on tide-swept, infralittoral rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A3.212 | Laminaria hyperborea on tide-swept, infralittoral rock | same |