EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB1 - Infralittoral rock > MB15 - Mediterranean infralittoral rock > MB151 - Biocenosis of Mediterranean infralittoral algae > MB1513 - Association with Cystoseira amentacea (var.amentacea, var.stricta, var.spicata)

Association with Cystoseira amentacea (var.amentacea, var.stricta, var.spicata)

Description (English)

This association is characterised by the brown alga Cystoseira amentacea, Cystoseira amentacea var. stricta and Cystoseira amentacea var. spicata, living in pure, rough waters with strong luminosity. This association, described by Molinier in 1958, forms belts in the photophilous biotopes where there is strong wave action, and whose rocky substratum is subvertical. It is often accompanied by Cystoseira compressa, which may replace it completely in places.
The association with Cystoseira amentacea is represented in the three major areas of the Mediterranean by different geographical varieties of this Cystoseira. The association with Cystoseira amentacea amentacea is endemic in the eastern Mediterranean, whereas Cystoseira amentacea stricta is found in the north-western Mediterranean and the spicata variety in the Adriatic. The three varieties of this Cystoseira are good indicators of the upper limit of the infralittoral stage.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB1513
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 Cystoseira amentacea

Algae Cystoseira compressa

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Cystoseira amentacea		Algae
Cystoseira compressa		Algae

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.132	Association with Cystoseira amentacea (var. amentacea, var. stricta, var. spicata)	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A3.132	Association with Cystoseira amentacea (var. amentacea, var. stricta, var. spicata)	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.132	Association with Cystoseira amentacea (var. amentacea, var. stricta, var. spicata)	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.132	Association with Cystoseira amentacea (var. amentacea, var. stricta, var. spicata)	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.132	Association with Cystoseira amentacea (var. amentacea, var. stricta, var. spicata)	same

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