EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MD1 - Offshore circalittoral rock > MD15 - Mediterranean offshore circalittoral rock > MD151 - Biocenosis of Mediterranean shelf-edge rock

Biocenosis of Mediterranean shelf-edge rock

Description (English)

The biocoenoses of the deep circalittoral rocky bottoms mainly composed of sponges, anthozoans, bryozoans and brachiopods while macroscopic plant life is absent. Found near the border of the continental shelf, these biocoenoses, dwelling to 250 m depth, usually occupy rough bottoms where current and turbidity are reasonably important. In these habitats, the progressively lower light conditions have a profound influence on the biocoenoses composition mostly because of reduced primary production, but this zone continues to be characterised by high biodiversity and biomass levels, at times comparable to those found in shallow waters.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MD151
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)	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]
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)	Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata	A4	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

Not available

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A4	Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata	narrower

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4	Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3	Sublittoral rock and other hard substrata	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3	Sublittoral rock and other hard substrata	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3	Sublittoral rock and other hard substrata	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A3	Sublittoral rock and other hard substrata	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	X15	Sublittoral rock (to 200m depth)	same
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905	11.24	Sublittoral rocky seabeds and kelp forests	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	11.25	Sublittoral organogenic concretions	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997	11.24	Sublittoral rocky seabeds and kelp forests	narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	11.25		narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996	11.24		narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	11.24		narrower
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993	11.25		narrower
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	11.25		narrower
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991	11.24		narrower

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