EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB1 - Infralittoral rock > MB12 - Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB123 - Kelp and seaweed communities on sediment-affected or disturbed Atlantic infralittoral rock

Kelp and seaweed communities on sediment-affected or disturbed Atlantic infralittoral rock

Description (English)

Infralittoral rock habitats, subject to disturbance through mobility of the substratum (boulders or cobbles) or abrasion/covering by nearby coarse sediments or suspended particulate matter (sand). The associated communities can be quite variable in character, depending on the particular conditions, which prevail. The typical Laminaria hyperborea and red seaweed communities of stable open coast rocky habitats (MB1-21) are replaced by those, which include more ephemeral species or those tolerant of sand and gravel abrasion. As such Laminaria saccharina, Saccorhiza polyschides or Halidrys siliquosa may be prominant components of the community.
Infralittoral rock in wave and tide-sheltered conditions, supporting silty communities with Laminaria hyperborea and/or Laminaria saccharina. Associated seaweeds are typically silt-tolerant and include a high proportion of delicate filamentous types. Some areas, particularly in the lower infralittoral zone, are subject to intense grazing by urchins and chitons and may have poorly developed seaweed communities.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB123
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 saccharina

Algae Saccorhiza polyschides

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Laminaria hyperborea		Algae
Laminaria saccharina		Algae
Saccorhiza polyschides		Algae

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.12	Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.31	Silted kelp on low energy infralittoral rock with full salinity	overlap
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA3.12	Kelp and seaweed communities on sediment-affected or disturbed Atlantic infralittoral rock	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A3.12	Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A3.31	Silted kelp on low energy infralittoral rock with full salinity	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.31	Silted kelp communities on sheltered infralittoral rock	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.23	Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.31	Silted kelp communities on sheltered infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.23	Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.31	Silted kelp communities on sheltered infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A3.31	Silted kelp communities on sheltered infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A3.23	Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A3.23	Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A3.31	Silted kelp communities on sheltered infralittoral rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	SIR.K	Silted kelp (stable rock)	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	MIR.SedK	Sand or gravel-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	MIR.KSnd		same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	SIR.K		same

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