Communities of exposed Mediterranean lower mediolittoral rock
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code MEDA1.14 |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Data Deficient |
EU | Near Threatened |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
This habitat develops on the lower horizon of the mediolittoral rock. Although never completely submerged for long periods of time, the rock surfaces are kept moist by spray from wave action. It occupies a zone of variable extent, generally immediately above mean sea level. The hard surfaces are colonised by encrusting and erect epifauna with the dominant species depending on the wave exposure and shape different associated biotopes which are dominated by encrusting species. The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis may be frequent, especially where there are high levels of organic matter. Encrusting coralline algae (Lithophyllum spp.) are also characteristic of this habitat with different species dominating depending on the rock type and geographical area.
Indicators of quality.
Some of the coralline algae associated with this habitat may be potential indicators of pollution (e.g. Lithophyllum byssoides) and the abundance of Mytilus galloprovincialis can be linked to decrease in environmental quality. An quality index based on the presence and abundance of macroalgal communities is being used in Spanish Atlantic waters to report on similar habitats (CRF Index).
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Near Threatened | A1 |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Data Deficient | - |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
- Urbanised areas, human habitation
- Discharges
- Other urbanisation, industrial and similar activities
- Pollution
- Pollution to surface waters (limnic, terrestrial, marine & brackish)
- Nutrient enrichment (N, P, organic matter)
- Marine water pollution
- Natural System modifications
- Human induced changes in hydraulic conditions
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Decreasing ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Unknown ![]() |
Unknown ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to wetland, freshwater and coastal habitats
- Restoring/Improving water quality
- Restoring coastal areas
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
- Measures related to hunting, taking and fishing and species management
- Other species management measures
Distribution
Geographic occurrence and trends
Seas | Present or presence uncertain | Current area of habitat (Km2) | Recent trend in quantity (last 50 years) | Recent trend in quality (last 50 years) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adriatic Sea | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Decreasing |
Aegian-Levantine Sea | ||||
Ionian Sea and the Central Mediterranean Sea | ||||
Western Mediterranean Sea |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 2,000,004 | 367 | Unknown | EOO and AOO have been calculated on the available data. Although this data set is known to be incomplete the figures exceed the thresholds for threatened status. |
EU28+ | 474 | Unknown | EOO and AOO have been calculated on the available data. Although this data set is known to be incomplete the figures exceed the thresholds for threatened status. |
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).
Characteristic species
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Acrochaetium duboscqii | Algae | |
Boergeseniella fruticulosa | Algae | |
Bryopsis muscosa | Algae | |
Callithamnion granulatum | Algae | |
Ceramium ciliatum | Algae | |
Ceramium diaphanum | Algae | |
Corallina elongata | Algae | |
Laurencia glandulifera | Algae | |
Laurencia pyramidalis | Algae | |
Lithophyllum byssoides | Algae | |
Lithophyllum incrustans | Algae | |
Nemoderma tingitanum | Algae | |
Osmundea verlaquei | Algae | |
Polysiphonia sertularioides | Algae | |
Polysiphonia tripinnata | Algae | |
Pseudolithoderma adriaticum | Algae | |
Ralfsia verrucosa | Algae | |
Ulva fasciata | Algae | |
Ulva rigida | Algae | |
Chthamalus montagui | Invertebrates | |
Chthamalus stellatus | Invertebrates | |
Mytilaster minimus | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus galloprovincialis | Invertebrates | |
Patella ferruginea | Invertebrates | |
Patella ulyssiponensis | Invertebrates |