EUNIS habitat classification 2012 amended 2019 > A - Marine habitats > A4 - Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata > A4.1 - Atlantic and Mediterranean high energy circalittoral rock

Atlantic and Mediterranean high energy circalittoral rock

English name: Atlantic and Mediterranean high energy circalittoral rock

Description (English)

Occurs on extremely wave-exposed to exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders subject to tidal streams ranging from strong to very strong. Typically found in tidal straits and narrows. The high energy levels found within this habitat complex are reflected in the fauna recorded. Sponges such as Pachymatisma johnstonia, Halichondria panicea, Esperiopsis fucorum and Myxilla incrustans may all be recorded. Characteristic of this habitat complex is the dense 'carpet' of the hydroid Tubularia indivisa. The barnacle Balanus crenatus is recorded in high abundance on the rocky substrata. On rocky outcrops, Alcyonium digitatum is often present.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code A4.1
Bern Convention	Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4)
Relation to	Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

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
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	Overlap	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Reefs	1170	Overlap

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Alcyonium digitatum

Invertebrates Balanus crenatus

Invertebrates Esperiopsis fucorum

Invertebrates Halichondria panicea

Invertebrates Myxilla incrustans

Invertebrates Pachymatisma johnstonia

Invertebrates Tubularia indivisa

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Alcyonium digitatum		Invertebrates
Balanus crenatus		Invertebrates
Esperiopsis fucorum		Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea		Invertebrates
Myxilla incrustans		Invertebrates
Pachymatisma johnstonia		Invertebrates
Tubularia indivisa		Invertebrates

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	CR.HCR	High energy circalittoral rock	same
Biodiversity Broad Habitat Classification (UK)	24	Offshore shelf rock	wider
Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats (UK)	37	Tidal rapids	overlap

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4.1	Atlantic and Mediterranean high energy circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.5	High energy circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.5	Circalittoral rock very exposed to wave action or currents and tidal streams	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.5	Circalittoral rock very exposed to wave action or currents and tidal streams	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A3.5	Circalittoral rock very exposed to wave action or tidal currents	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A5.1	Circalittoral rock very exposed to wave or tide action	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	ECR	Exposed circalittoral rock	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	ECR		same

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