EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB1 - Infralittoral rock > MB12 - Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB125 - Submerged fucoids, green or red seaweeds on low salinity Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB1252 - Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral rock

Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral rock

Description (English)

Dense subtidal stands of Ascophyllum nodosum, heavily epiphytised by sponges and ascidians in lagoon-like habitats. The wracks Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus can be present along with the brown seaweed Chorda filum and the red seaweed Polyides rotundus. The crab Carcinus maenas can be present between the A. nodosum holdfasts along with the shrimps Mysidae.
Situation: Nearby rock often supports similar biotopes of submerged fucoids and green seaweeds (unit MB1-251). Slightly deeper rock often supports Laminaria saccharina (unit MB1-23A2), usually surrounded by more extensive areas of sediment. Seagrass beds thrive well in the muddy sand of these lagoons and often cover large areas. They include both Ruppia maritima and Zostera marina (units MB5-224 and MB5-223).

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB1252
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)	* Coastal lagoons	1150	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]
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 Ascophyllum nodosum

Algae Fucus serratus

Algae Fucus vesiculosus

Algae Laminaria saccharina

Algae Polyides rotundus

Flowering Plants Ruppia maritima

Flowering Plants Zostera marina

Invertebrates Carcinus maenas

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Ascophyllum nodosum		Algae
Fucus serratus		Algae
Fucus vesiculosus		Algae
Laminaria saccharina		Algae
Polyides rotundus		Algae
Ruppia maritima		Flowering Plants
Zostera marina		Flowering Plants
Carcinus maenas		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.342	Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A3.342	Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.332	Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.332	Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.332	Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	SIR.Lag.AscSAs	Ascophyllum nodosum and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock	same

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