Red List habitat classification > RL - Marine habitats > RLBLS - Black Sea > BLSA5.61 Polychaete worm reefs in the Pontic infralittoral zone

Polychaete worm reefs in the Pontic infralittoral zone

Quick facts

Red List habitat type code BLSA5.61
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

A variety of polychaete worm reefs occur in the Black Sea. The habitat forming species are dependent on two variables: depth and exposure to wave action. In more sheltered and freshwater-influenced environments the non-native serpulid tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus is the most common reef building species. In moderately exposed environments reefs formed by the serpulid Vermiliopsis infundibulum are present. Finally, on lower infralittoral rock serpulids form massive reefs in collaboration with bivalves (i.e. Ostrea edulis, Mytilus galloprovincialis). These reefs are an important component of the Black Sea ecosystem and are characterised by high biodiversity and fulfill important water filtration role.

Indicators of quality:

Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include; the presence of characteristic species, species sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face, water quality parameters, levels of exposure to particular pressures as well as 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.

Characteristic species
For full habitat description, please download the habitat factsheet.

Threat status

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Detailed information on the abundance and extent of this habitat is lacking. Information on the quantity and quality of this habitat including historical or recent trends is unknown. For the purposes of Red List assessment this habitat is considered to be Data Deficient.
EU
Red List Category Red List Criteria
Data Deficient -
Europe
Red List Category Red List Criteria
Data Deficient -

Confidence in the assessment

low
Red List of habitat categories and criteria descriptions

Pressures and threats

  • Urbanisation, residential and commercial development
    • Other urbanisation, industrial and similar activities
  • Biological resource use other than agriculture & forestry
    • Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources
    • Professional active fishing
  • Pollution
    • Input of contaminants (synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) - diffuse sources, point sources, acute events
  • Natural System modifications
    • Siltation rate changes, dumping, depositing of dredged deposits

Habitat restoration potential

There is insufficient data and knowledge of this habitat to assess its capacity to recover

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

Conservation and management measures which would benefit this habitat include implementing measures to maintain physical and biological integrity, including pollution control and regulation, improvement of water quality management outside EU member states, coastal development controls, contingency plans to be followed in the event of a major pollution incident, survey and monitoring programmes, raised public awareness of ecological value and vulnerability, enhanced legal protection for occurrences of the habitat and key species (e.g. additions to the EU Habitats Directive, establish a unified list of Black Sea species and habitats requiring conservation measures, etc.), and the designation of MPAs.

List of conservation and management needs

  • Measures related to marine habitats
    • Other marine-related measures
  • Measures related to spatial planning
    • Other marine-related measures
    • Establish protected areas/sites
    • Legal protection of habitats and species
  • Measures related to urban areas, industry, energy and transport
    • Other measures

Distribution

For each habitat a distribution map was produced from a wide variety of sources indicating known and potential occurrences of the habitat in 10x10 km grids within Europe. Occurrences in grid cells were given in two classes: actual distribution from relatively reliable sources (surveys, expert knowledge), and potential distribution based on models or less reliable indicators. Please download the fact sheet to see the map.

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 Unknown Unknown

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 The habitat is known to occur in the Black Sea but there is insufficient data to accurately calculate EOO and AOO.
EU28+ Unknown Unknown The habitat is known to occur in the Black Sea but there is insufficient data to accurately calculate EOO and AOO.
AOO = the area occupied by a habitat measured in number of 10x10 km grid cells.
EOO = the area (km2) of the envelope around all occurrences of a habitat (calculated by a minimum convex polygon).

Characteristic species

Not available

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Other classifications

Not available
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100