Laminaria saccharina, Gracilaria gracilis and brown seaweeds on full salinity infralittoral sediment
Description (English)
Shallow kelp community found on muddy sand, in moderately exposed or sheltered, fully marine conditions, with weak tidal currents. The community is characterised by a reasonable covering of Laminaria saccharina. Frequent Chorda filum may also form part of the canopy although not at the abundance in A5.522. Beneath the canopy the community is characterised by the red algae Gracilaria gracilis, and various brown algal species particularly Dictyota dichotoma. Other members of the understory may include a variety of other filamentous and foliose red algae in particular Ceramium nodulosum and the green alga Ulva. The muddy sand substrate supports a variety of faunal species including polychaetes (Lanice conchilega) and gastropods (Hinia reticulata).
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.524 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A5) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Algae
Chorda filum
Algae
Dictyota dichotoma
Algae
Gracilaria gracilis
Algae
Laminaria saccharina
Invertebrates
Lanice conchilega
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Chorda filum | Algae | |
| Dictyota dichotoma | Algae | |
| Gracilaria gracilis | Algae | |
| Laminaria saccharina | Algae | |
| Lanice conchilega | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacGraFS | <I>Laminaria saccharina</I>, <I>Gracilaria gracilis</I> and brown seaweeds on full salinity infralittoral sediment | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.524 | Laminaria saccharina, Gracilaria gracilis and brown seaweeds on full salinity infralittoral sediment | same |
