EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB3 - Infralittoral coarse sediment > MB32 - Atlantic infralittoral coarse sediment > MB321 - Kelp and seaweed communities on Atlantic infralittoral coarse sediment > MB3213 - Laminaria saccharina, Gracilaria gracilis and brown seaweeds on full salinity Atlantic infralittoral sediment

Laminaria saccharina, Gracilaria gracilis and brown seaweeds on full salinity Atlantic infralittoral sediment

Description (English)

Shallow kelp community found on muddy sand, in moderately exposed or sheltered, fully marine conditions, with weak tidal currents. The community is characterised by a reasonable covering of Laminaria saccharina. Frequent Chorda filum may also form part of the canopy although not at the abundance in MB6-211. Beneath the canopy the community is characterised by the red algae Gracilaria gracilis, and various brown algal species particularly Dictyota dichotoma. Other members of the understory may include a variety of other filamentous and foliose red algae in particular Ceramium nodulosum and the green alga Ulva. The muddy sand substrate supports a variety of faunal species including polychaetes (Lanice conchilega) and gastropods (Hinia reticulata).

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB3213
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]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Dictyota dichotoma

Algae Laminaria saccharina

Invertebrates Lanice conchilega

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Dictyota dichotoma		Algae
Laminaria saccharina		Algae
Lanice conchilega		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.524	Laminaria saccharina, Gracilaria gracilis and brown seaweeds on full salinity infralittoral sediment	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type	Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.524	Laminaria saccharina, Gracilaria gracilis and brown seaweeds on full salinity infralittoral sediment	same

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