Pontic mediolittoral caves and overhangs
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code BLSA1.44 |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Least Concen |
EU | Endangered |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
Where caves and overhangs occur on rocky shores, the shaded nature of the habitat diminishes the amount of desiccation suffered by biota during Aeolian periods of low water which allows certain species to proliferate. In addition, the amount of scour, wave surge, sea spray and penetrating light determines the unique community assemblages found in upper, mid- and lower shore caves and overhangs on the lower shore. All around the Black Sea this habitat type occurs in the Sarmatian limestone cliffs in Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. It may also occur in volcanic and metamorphic rocks, such as Maslen Nos Cape in Bulgaria. The height of the entrance varies from 50 cm up to 25 m depending on the strength of the waves. The length of the water gallery is between 3 and 50 m and is sometimes followed by dry or semi-dry galleries with sand, gravel and larger stones. Natural light does not reach the inner reaches of the longest caves. The temperature strongly depends on the situation outside the cave, although fluctuations are smaller and no extremely high or low values have been recorded.
Indicators of quality:
Biotic indicators of good quality include the presence of sponge assemblages and the abundance and extent of sponge crusts. Abiotic indictors of good quality include water quality (i.e. low nutrients: N, P) and absence of rubbish. There is insufficient information to set indicator thresholds required for monitoring purposes.
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
In the EU 28+ the habitat type is assessed as Least Concern under Criterion A1 and B. There has been a decline in extent of <25% in the last 50 years, based on expert opinion. The threatened categories for AOO and EOO are not met for Criterion B
Current total area of the habitat is unknown.
In the historic period (pre-1965) the habitat extent is believed to have remained stable in Turkey and Bulgaria as caves are typically located in steep cliffs in remote areas, which are unsuitable for development. In the recent past (1965 to present day) the habitat extent has remained stable and expert opinion is that this is predicted to remain the case in the future.
In the historic period (pre-1965) the quality of caves and overhangs are believed to have been stable. The Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) regularly used caves for breeding (based on expert opinion).
In the recent past (1965 to present day) the quality is believed to have remained stable in Turkey. Quality declines are believed to have occurred in Bulgaria associated with eutrophication, rubbish dumping and disturbance by tourists (based on expert opinion of the habitat and its likely response to known pressures). For instance, during the period up to the 1990s widespread and severe eutrophication occurred in the Black Sea. This was most notable in the western Black Sea and is likely to have caused a decline in biotic quality of the habitat as some quality indicators (e.g. sponges) are highly sensitive to these conditions.
In the future the habitat quality is expected to remain stable in Turkey because of the remote localities and low development pressure. In Bulgaria and Crimea peninsula the quality will depend on levels of protection, providing pollution control and regulations on rubbish dumping and unsupervised tourism are enforced.
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Endangered | B1a,b,c and B2a,b,c. |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Least Concen |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
- Other urbanisation, industrial and similar activities
- Human intrusions and disturbances
- Outdoor sports and leisure activities, recreational activities
- Pollution
- Nutrient enrichment (N, P, organic matter)
- Input of contaminants (synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) - diffuse sources, point sources, acute events
- Oil spills in the sea
- Input of litter (solid waste matter)
- Natural biotic and abiotic processes (without catastrophes)
- Erosion
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Decreasing ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
In the future, regulations on rubbish dumping and unsupervised tourism need to be enforced to improve the conservation status of the habitat.
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to wetland, freshwater and coastal habitats
- Restoring/Improving water quality
- Measures related to marine habitats
- Other marine-related measures
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
- Measures related to urban areas, industry, energy and transport
- Urban and industrial waste management
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black Sea | Present | Unknown | Decreasing | Stable |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 6,248 | 7 | Unknown | Current total area of the habitat is unknown. |
EU28+ | 73 | Unknown | Current total area of the habitat is unknown. |
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 |
---|---|---|
Phyllophora crispa | Algae | |
Miniopterus schreibersii | Schreiber's Bat | Mammals |
Monachus monachus | Mediterranean monk seal | Mammals |
Myotis blythii | Lesser mouse-eared bat | Mammals |
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 | Submerged or partially submerged sea caves | 8330 | Narrower | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |