Lithothamnion glaciale maerl beds in tide-swept variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral gravel
Description (English)
Upper infralittoral tide-swept channels of coarse sediment in full or variable salinity conditions support distinctive beds of Lithothamnion glaciale maerl 'rhodoliths'. Phymatolithon calcareum may also be present as a more minor maerl component. Associated fauna and flora may include species found in other types of maerl beds (and elsewhere), e.g. Pomatoceros triqueter, Cerianthus lloydii, Sabella pavonina, Chaetopterus variopedatus, Lanice conchilega, Mya truncata, Plocamium cartilagineum and Phycodrys rubens. Unit MB3-222, however, also has a fauna that reflects the slightly reduced salinity conditions, e.g. Psammechinus miliaris is often present in high numbers along with other grazers such as chitons and Tectura spp. Hyas araneus, Ophiothrix fragilis, Ophiocomina nigra and the brown seaweed Dictyota dichotoma are also typically present at sites. In Scottish lagoons this biotope may show considerable variation but the community falls within the broad description defined here.
Situation: This biotope can often be found at the upper end of Scottish sealochs where the variable salinity of the habitat may not be immediately obvious.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MB3222 |
---|---|
Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Dictyota dichotoma | Algae | |
Lithothamnion glaciale | Algae | |
Phycodrys rubens | Algae | |
Phymatolithon calcareum | Algae | |
Plocamium cartilagineum | Algae | |
Chaetopterus variopedatus | Invertebrates | |
Hyas araneus | Invertebrates | |
Lanice conchilega | Invertebrates | |
Mya truncata | Invertebrates | |
Ophiocomina nigra | Invertebrates | |
Ophiothrix fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Pomatoceros triqueter | Invertebrates | |
Psammechinus miliaris | Invertebrates | |
Sabella pavonina | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A5.512 | Lithothamnion glaciale maerl beds in tide-swept variable salinity infralittoral gravel | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.512 | Lithothamnion glaciale maerl beds in tide-swept variable salinity infralittoral gravel | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.612 | Lithothamnion glaciale maerl beds in tide-swept variable salinity infralittoral gravel | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.612 | Lithothamnion glaciale maerl beds in tide-swept variable salinity shallow-water gravel | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.112 | Lithothamnion glaciale maerl beds in tide-swept variable salinity shallow-water gravel | same | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IGS.Mrl.Lgla | Lithothamnion glaciale maerl beds in tide-swept variable salinity infralittoral gravel | same |