Atlantic and Mediterranean high energy infralittoral rock
Description (English)
Rocky habitats in the infralittoral zone subject to exposed to extremely exposed wave action or strong tidal streams. Typically the rock supports a community of kelp Laminaria hyperborea with foliose seaweeds and animals, the latter tending to become more prominent in areas of strongest water movement. The depth to which the kelp extends varies according to water clarity, exceptionally (e.g. St Kilda) reaching 45 m. The sublittoral fringe is characterised by dabberlocks Alaria esculenta.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A3.1 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A3) |
Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
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 |
---|---|---|
Alaria esculenta | Algae | |
Laminaria hyperborea | Algae |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | IR.HIR | High energy infralittoral rock | same |
Biodiversity Broad Habitat Classification (UK) | 22 | Inshore sublittoral rock | wider |
Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats (UK) | 37 | Tidal rapids | overlap |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A3.1 | Atlantic and Mediterranean high energy infralittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.23 | Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.1 | High energy infralittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.1 | Infralittoral rock very exposed to wave action and/or currents and tidal streams | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.1 | Infralittoral rock very exposed to wave action and/or currents and tidal streams | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.1 | Infralittoral rock very exposed to wave action or tidal currents | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A3.1 | Infralittoral rock very exposed to wave action | same |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | EIR | Exposed infralittoral rock | same |
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | EIR | same |