EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB1 - Infralittoral rock > MB12 - Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB121 - Kelp and seaweed communities on Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB121D - Hiatella arctica and seaweeds on vertical Atlantic littoral limestone / chalk

Hiatella arctica and seaweeds on vertical Atlantic littoral limestone / chalk

Description (English)

This biotope is found in the infralittoral zone on moderately exposed vertical limestone/chalk surfaces in weak tidal streams, and has been recorded most frequently between 0-10m. This biotope is characterised by abundant Hiatella arctica and a rich sponge community including Cliona celata, Dysidea fragilis and Pachymatisma johnstonia. Other species that may be frequent in this biotope are the crab Necora puber, the sea squirt Clavelina lepadiformis, and the top shell Calliostoma zizyphinum, although these species are found in other vertical rock biotopes, however in lesser abundance.
Situation: Shallow rocky coasts with vertical limestone faces.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB121D
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

Invertebrates Calliostoma zizyphinum

Invertebrates Clavelina lepadiformis

Invertebrates Cliona celata

Invertebrates Dysidea fragilis

Invertebrates Hiatella arctica

Invertebrates Necora puber

Invertebrates Pachymatisma johnstonia

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Calliostoma zizyphinum		Invertebrates
Clavelina lepadiformis		Invertebrates
Cliona celata		Invertebrates
Dysidea fragilis		Invertebrates
Hiatella arctica		Invertebrates
Necora puber		Invertebrates
Pachymatisma johnstonia		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.217	Hiatella arctica and seaweeds on vertical limestone / chalk	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A3.218	Hiatella arctica and seaweeds on vertical limestone / chalk	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.2411	Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.2411	Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.2411	Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock	overlap
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IR.FaSwV.AlcByH.Hia	Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock	overlap

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