Ephemeral green or red seaweeds (freshwater or sand-influenced) on Atlantic littoral non-mobile substrata
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code NEAA1.45 |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Data Deficient |
EU | Data Deficient |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
This habitat type occurs across the intertidal zone and sometimes in the splash zone, including on cliff faces in such locations. It may also be present on upper shore hard substrata that is relatively unstable (e.g. soft rock), or which is subject to considerable freshwater runoff. A dense mat of green filamentous algae, often together with some red algae, is a characteristic feature.
On moderately exposed shores, the biotopes 'Enteromorpha spp. on freshwater-influenced or unstable upper shore rock ' or 'P. purpurea and/or Enteromorpha spp. on sand-scoured mid- to lower-eulittoral rock' may be present, both of which tend to support a low species diversity.
Indicators of Quality:
Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.
There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis.
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Data Deficient |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Data Deficient |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Pollution
- Marine water pollution
- Oil spills in the sea
- Toxic chemical discharge from material dumped at sea
- Natural System modifications
- Human induced changes in hydraulic conditions
- Modification of hydrographic functioning, general
- Dykes, embankments, artificial beaches, general
- Sea defense or coast protection works, tidal barrages
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Unknown ![]() |
Unknown ![]() |
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
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Other marine-related measures
- Establish protected areas/sites
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Celtic Seas | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Greater North Sea | ||||
Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Coast | ||||
Kattegat |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 319,776 | 205 | 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+ | 205 | 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 |
---|---|---|
Enteromorpha intestinalis | Algae | |
Porphyra purpurea | Algae | |
Rhodothamniella floridula | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates | |
Elminius modestus | Invertebrates | |
Littorina littorea | Invertebrates | |
Littorina saxatilis | Invertebrates | |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates | |
Semibalanus balanoides | Invertebrates |