Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities
Description (English)
Infralittoral rock habitats, subject to disturbance through mobility of the substratum (boulders or cobbles) or abrasion/covering by nearby coarse sediments or suspended particulate matter (sand). The associated communities can be quite variable in character, depending on the particular conditions, which prevail. The typical Laminaria hyperborea and red seaweed communities of stable open coast rocky habitats (A3.21) are replaced by those, which include more ephemeral species or those tolerant of sand and gravel abrasion. As such Laminaria saccharina, Saccorhiza polyschides or Halidrys siliquosa may be prominant components of the community.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A3.12 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A3) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Algae
Laminaria hyperborea
Algae
Laminaria saccharina
Algae
Saccorhiza polyschides
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Laminaria hyperborea | Algae | |
| Laminaria saccharina | Algae | |
| Saccorhiza polyschides | Algae |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | IR.HIR.KSed | Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
| Ramsar Wetland Types | B | Subtidal aquatic beds | wider |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A3.12 | Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.23 | Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.23 | Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.23 | Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A3.23 | Sand-tolerant or disturbed kelp and seaweed on moderately exposed infralittoral rock | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MIR.SedK | Sand or gravel-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities | same |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | MIR.KSnd | same |
