EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > ME2 - Upper bathyal biogenic habitat > ME22 - Atlantic upper bathyal biogenic habitat > ME221 - Atlantic upper bathyal cold water coral reef > ME2212 - Mixed coral assemblage on Atlantic upper bathyal

Mixed coral assemblage on Atlantic upper bathyal

Description (English)

This biotope represents the extensive, mostly dead, framework of Lophelia pertusa that support a high diversity of species including various other corals such as Caryophylliidae, Stichopathes gravieri, Antipathella, Acanthogorgia armarta and Leiopathes. Other conspicuous taxa include anemone Phelliactis and encrusting sponges. This may be found associated with Lophelia pertusa reef summit or may form beneath escarpments where live colonies of Lophelia pertusag row but subsequently break off and form a rubble framework. The same assemblage is found in the mid bathyal but associated species are likely to vary. Characterising species listed refer to all mixed coral on Lophelia reef framework assemblages not just those found associated with the zone and substrate specified in this biotope.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code ME2212
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]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Lophelia pertusa

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Lophelia pertusa		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A6.611	Deep-sea Lophelia pertusa reefs	narrower

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A6.611	Deep-sea Lophelia pertusa reefs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A5.611	Lophelia pertusa reefs	wider
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A5.611	Lophelia pertusa reefs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A5.131	Lophelia pertusa reefs	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A5.11	Lophelia pertusa reefs on circalittoral offshore rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A5.41	Lophelia beds on circalittoral offshore rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	COR.Lop	Lophelia reefs	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	COR.Lop		same

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