EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB3 - Infralittoral coarse sediment > MB32 - Atlantic infralittoral coarse sediment > MB322 - Maerl beds on Atlantic infralittoral coarse sediment > MB3221 - Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds in Atlantic infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand > MB32211 - Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in Atlantic infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand

Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in Atlantic infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand

Description (English)

Upper infralittoral maerl beds characterised by Phymatolithon calcareum in gravels and sand with a wide variety of associated red seaweeds. These algae typically include Dictyota dichotoma, Plocamium cartilagineum, Phycodrys rubens, Chondrus crispus, Halarachnion ligulatum, Chylocladia verticillata, Hypoglossum hypoglossoides and Nitophyllum punctum. These species are not restricted to maerl beds but their abundance on maerl beds differentiates this biotope from MB3-2212. Anthozoans and echinoderms are much less common in this biotope than in MB3-2212, which typically occurs deeper than MB3-2211.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB32211
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)	Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time	1110	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)	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 Chondrus crispus

Algae Chylocladia verticillata

Algae Dictyota dichotoma

Algae Halarachnion ligulatum

Algae Hypoglossum hypoglossoides

Algae Phycodrys rubens

Algae Phymatolithon calcareum

Algae Plocamium cartilagineum

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Chondrus crispus		Algae
Chylocladia verticillata		Algae
Dictyota dichotoma		Algae
Halarachnion ligulatum		Algae
Hypoglossum hypoglossoides		Algae
Phycodrys rubens		Algae
Phymatolithon calcareum		Algae
Plocamium cartilagineum		Algae

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.5111	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in shallow infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.5111	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in shallow infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.6111	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in shallow infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.6111	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in shallow infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.1111	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in shallow infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IGS.Mrl.Phy.R	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with red seaweeds in shallow infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same

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