EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC1 - Circalittoral rock > MC12 - Atlantic circalittoral rock > MC124 - Faunal communities on variable salinity Atlantic circalittoral rock

Faunal communities on variable salinity Atlantic circalittoral rock

Description (English)

This habitat type occurs on wave-sheltered, variable salinity bedrock and cobbles, subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. This complex contains a suite of sponges able to tolerate the variable salinity conditions like Hymeniacidon perleve, Suberites ficus, Halichondria panicea, Halichondria bowerbanki, Cliona celata and Leucosolenia botryoides. The barnacle Balanus crenatus is frequently recorded in this complex. A sparse hydroid/bryozoan turf composed primarily of Nemertesia antennina, Nemerteis ramosa, Plumularia setacea, Alcyonidium diaphanum and Bugula plumosa is often recorded. Other species recorded are the ascidians Clavelina lepadiformis, Morchellium argus and Dendrodoa grossularia, the anemones Metridium senile and Sagartia troglodytes, the starfish Asterias rubens and the crab Carcinus maenas.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC124
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

Invertebrates Asterias rubens

Invertebrates Carcinus maenas

Invertebrates Clavelina lepadiformis

Invertebrates Cliona celata

Invertebrates Dendrodoa grossularia

Invertebrates Halichondria panicea

Invertebrates Metridium senile

Invertebrates Nemertesia antennina

Invertebrates Plumularia setacea

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Asterias rubens		Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas		Invertebrates
Clavelina lepadiformis		Invertebrates
Cliona celata		Invertebrates
Dendrodoa grossularia		Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea		Invertebrates
Metridium senile		Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina		Invertebrates
Plumularia setacea		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A4.25	Circalittoral faunal communities in variable salinity	narrower
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA4.25	Faunal communities on variable salinity Atlantic circalittoral rock	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4.25	Circalittoral faunal communities in variable salinity	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.53	Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.53	Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.53	Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A3.53	Barnacle and cushion sponge communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A5.13	Barnacle and cushion sponge communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	ECR.BS	Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities (very tide-swept/wave-sheltered)	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	ECR.BCuS		same

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