Mussels and fucoids on moderately exposed shores
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A1.22 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Description (English)
Mid and lower eulittoral exposed to moderately exposed bedrock, often with nearby sediment, may be densely covered by large individuals of the mussel Mytilus edulis. Three biotopes have been described: In the mid eulittoral, the mussels may form a band or large patches with scattered bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus (A1.221). In the lower eulittoral a range of red seaweeds including Mastocarpus stellatus and Palmaria palmata occur amongst the mussels (in higher abundance than the mid eulittoral) (A1.222). Clay outcrops in the mid to lower eulittoral may be bored by a variety of piddocks including Pholas dactylus, Barnea candida and Petricola pholadiformis, while the surface is characterised by small clumps of the mussel M. edulis, the barnacle Elminius modestus and the winkle Littorina littorea (A1.223). Ephemeral green seaweeds such as Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ulva lactuca commonly occur on the shells of the mussels. Barnacles are common on both the mussel valves and on patches of bare rock, where the limpet Patella vulgata is found as well, often at high abundance. The whelk Nucella lapillus and a range of littorinids also occur within the mussel bed. A dense M. edulis community may be found on more sheltered coasts on mixed substrata (A2.721).
Situation: Above this habitat type is a M. edulis and S. balanoides dominated zone or a F. vesiculosus dominated biotope (A1.213). In the lower eulittoral zone below is a zone dominated by the wrack Fucus serratus, M. edulis and a variety of red seaweeds (A1.21) while kelp dominate the sublittoral fringe.
Source:
EUNIS habitat classification
Interpretation Manual of the habitats targeted by Resolution No. 4
Legal status
Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements
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 | Narrower | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Enteromorpha intestinalis | Algae | |
Fucus serratus | Algae | |
Fucus vesiculosus | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
Nucella lapillus | Dog whelk | Invertebrates |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates | |
Pholas dactylus | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LR.MLR.MusF | Mussels and fucoids on moderately exposed shores | source |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 11.254 | Mussel beds | wider |
CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A1.22 | Mytilus edulis and fucoids on moderately exposed shores | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A1.25 | Mussels and fucoids on moderate energy shores | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A1.25 | Mussels and fucoids on moderately exposed littoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A1.24 | Mussels and fucoids on moderately exposed littoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A1.24 | Mussel beds and fucoids on moderately exposed rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A1.34 | Mussel beds on moderately exposed rock | same |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 11.254 | Part of Mussel beds | narrower |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 11.254 | Part of Mussel beds | narrower |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 11.254 | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 11.254 | narrower | |
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 11.254 | narrower | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MLR.MF | Mytilus (mussels) and fucoids (moderately exposed shores) | same |
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | SLR.MytX | same |