Pontic circalittoral biogenic detritic bottoms with dead or alive mussel beds, shell deposits, with encrusting corallines (Phymatolithon, Lithothamnion) and attached foliose sciaphilic macroalgae
Quick facts
Red List habitat type | code BLSA5.xx |
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Threat status | |
Europe | Critically Endangered |
EU | Critically Endangered |
Relation to |
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Source | European Red List habitat factsheet |
European Red List of habitats reports | |
European Red List of habitats (Excel table) |
Summary
Zernov’s Phyllophora Field is a bioengineered habitat type unique to the Black Sea, consisting of extensive stands of perennial red algae (genera Phyllophora, Coccotylus) developing on circalittoral hard substrata and a highly diverse associated fauna. Zernov’s Phyllophora Field - located on the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea – comprises the world’s most abundant stand of Phyllophoraceae. They develop on mixed sediments (shelly mud to pure shell hash) covered by dead or alive crustose corallines Lithothamnion crispatum, Lithothamnion propontidis, Lithophyllum cystoseirae, occurring offshore at depths of 30-50m. The crustose corallines are the preferred substrate for attachment of a more or less dense cover of Phyllophora crispa and Coccotylus truncatus. Phyllophora crispa may form extensive canopies here, which harbour a characteristic and diverse fauna.
During the historical period 32 macroalgae species were recorded from the ZPF. The most abundant algae were Phyllophora crispa (syn. P. nervosa), Coccotylus truncatus, Polysiphonia sanguinea, Feldmania irregularis, Desmarestia viridis.
Indicators of quality:
Suitable biotic indicators of quality include:
-Abundance of Phyllophora crispa
-Abundance of Mytilus galloprovincialis
-Biomass of Phyllophora crispa.
Suitable abiotic indictors of quality include:
-Water transparency
Indicator thresholds for monitoring purposes have not been set. Biomass of Phyllophora crispa in 1978 was 4-17000 gm-2. The habitat was considered to be of good quality during this period. However, due to severe degradation in the subsequent years this can no longer be considered a realistic target.
Threat status
Synthesis of Red List assessment
In the EU28 the habitat type is assessed as Critical under criteria A1, B1b, B1c and C/D1. For criteria A1 there has been a reduction in extent >80% in the past 50 years. It was previously present over a considerably larger area in Romania. This is based on quantitative data. For criterion B1b, the EOO is
698km2. This is based on quantitative data. Gas extraction is likely to cause further declines in the next 20 years. For Criterion B1c the EOO is 698km2 and habitat exists at only location. This is considered as one location as a single threat may impact the whole location. For criterion C/D1 there has been a severe decline in quality affecting >80% in the past 50 years. This is based on knowledge of the habitats current fragmented state compared to the 1970s.
In the EU28+ the habitat type is assessed as Critical under C/D1. For Criteria C/D1 there has been a severe decline in quality affecting >80% in the past 50 years. This is reflected in reduction in Phylophorra crispa biomass. This is based on quantitative data.
EU | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Critically Endangered | A1, B1b, B1c, C/D1 |
Europe | |
Red List Category | Red List Criteria |
Critically Endangered | C/D1 |
Confidence in the assessment
Pressures and threats
- Mining, extraction of materials and energy production
- Exploration and extraction of oil or gas
- Biological resource use other than agriculture & forestry
- Professional active fishing
- Pollution
- Nutrient enrichment (N, P, organic matter)
- Natural System modifications
- Siltation rate changes, dumping, depositing of dredged deposits
Habitat restoration potential
Trends in extent |
|
Average current trend in quantity |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Trends in quality |
|
Average current trend in quality |
|
Stable ![]() |
Stable ![]() |
EU28 | EU28+ |
Conservation and management needs
List of conservation and management needs
- Measures related to marine habitats
- Other marine-related measures
- Measures related to spatial planning
- Establish protected areas/sites
- Legal protection of habitats and species
- Measures related to hunting, taking and fishing and species management
- Regulation/Management of hunting and taking
- Regulation/Management of fishery in marine and brackish systems
- Measures related to special resouce use
- Regulating/Managing exploitation of natural resources on sea
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) |
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Black Sea | Present | Unknown | Decreasing | Decreasing |
Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (Km2) | Area of Occupancy (AOO) | Current estimated Total Area | Comment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
EU28 | 698 | 6 | Unknown | EOO and AOO have been calculated on the available data. |
EU28+ | 59 | 5300 | This figure is for Ukraine only. It is not possible to estimate the area in Romania due to habitat fragmentation. |
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 |
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Coccotylus truncatus | Algae | |
Desmarestia viridis | Algae | |
Lithophyllum cystoseirae | Algae | |
Lithothamnion crispatum | Algae | |
Phyllophora crispa | Algae | |
Polysiphonia sanguinea | Algae | |
Acipenser gueldenstaedti | Fishes | |
Ctenolabrus rupestris | Goldsinny | Fishes |
Huso huso | Beluga | Fishes |
Psetta maeotica | Fishes | |
Raja clavata | Maiden ray | Fishes |
Squalus acanthias | Blue dog | Fishes |
Abra alba | Invertebrates | |
Apherusa bispinosa | Invertebrates | |
Ascidiella aspersa | Invertebrates | |
Calyptraea chinensis | Invertebrates | |
Cerastoderma glaucum | Invertebrates | |
Ciona intestinalis | Invertebrates | |
Crangon crangon | Invertebrates | |
Gammarus aequicauda | Invertebrates | |
Haliclona gracilis | Invertebrates | |
Harmothoe reticulata | Invertebrates | |
Lepidochitona cinerea | Invertebrates | |
Liocarcinus navigator | Invertebrates | |
Melita palmata | Invertebrates | |
Monophorus perversus | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus galloprovincialis | Invertebrates | |
Pitar rudis | 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 |
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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 |