Communities of Mediterranean lower circalittoral rock

This habitat is composed of hard substrata in areas with low hydrodynamics. It typically occurs on the edge of the continental shelf, on the rocks near the break of the slope and in some areas after the shelfbreak. Because of the depth,  macroscopic vegetation is absent. This is the assemblage of the lower circalittoral zone, which characterises the Mediterranean rocky reef, also linking the circalittoral coralligenous and the bathyal habitats.

The characteristic and dominant element of the biotic community of this habitat is represented mainly by erect large sponges such as Poecillastra compressa, Phakellia ventilabrum, Tylodesma inornata, and Haliclona (Halichoclona) magna, yellow cup coral Dendrophylia cornigera, the black corals Antipatharia sp (Parantiathes larix, Antipathella subpinnata), and the brachiopodes Cistella cuneate, Gryphus vitreus and Mergerlia truncata.

Indicators of quality:

Standard biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include the presence of particular species, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to a particular exposure as well as more integrated indices which describe habitat function and structure, such as trophic index, or successful stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.

There are no known commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may be set in certain situations, e.g. protected features with Natura 2000 sites, where reference values may have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis. 

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats