Encrusting algal communities on exposed Atlantic infralittoral rock
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code NEAA3.14 |
---|---|
Threat status | |
Europe | Least Concern |
EU | Least Concern |
Relation to |
|
Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
This habitat comprises a community of crustose algae on rocky substrates. It occurs in locations which are exposed or moderately exposed to wave action. Algal cover is extremely poor, and almost completely restricted to encrusting species. Sessile animals are typically encrusting sponges, bryozoans, barnacles, serpulids and vermetids. Vertical surfaces may be occupied by patches of encrusting sponges and Corynactis viridis, while hydroids such as Aglaophenia pulma may be locally abundant. In deeper water the colonial coral Madracis asperula may be present. The herbivory of the sea-urchins is very important for the maintenance of this habitat.
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 |
Least Concern |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Least Concern |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Biological resource use other than agriculture & forestry
- Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources
- Pollution
- Marine water pollution
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
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 marine habitats
- Other marine-related measures
- Measures related to hunting, taking and fishing and species management
- Regulation/Management of fishery in marine and brackish systems
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Coast | Present | Unknown | Unknown | Stable |
Celtic Seas | ||||
Kattegat | ||||
Greater North Sea | ||||
Macaronesia |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | There is insufficient information for accurate calculation of EOO and AOO. |
EU28+ | Unknown | Unknown | There is insufficient information for accurate calculation of EOO and AOO. |
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 |
---|---|---|
Lipophrys trigloides | Fishes | |
Ophioblennius atlanticus | Redlip Blenny | Fishes |
Parablennius incognitus | Fishes | |
Arbacia lixula | Invertebrates | |
Calcinus tubularis | Invertebrates | |
Corynactis viridis | Invertebrates | |
Madracis asperula | Invertebrates | |
Marthasterias glacialis | Invertebrates | |
Megabalanus azoricus | Azorean barnacle | Invertebrates |
Paracentrotus lividus | Invertebrates | |
Percnon gibbesi | Invertebrates | |
Sphaerechinus granularis | Invertebrates | |
Stramonita haemastoma | Invertebrates |
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 | Reefs | 1170 | Overlap | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |