Communities on soft circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This habitat type occurs on moderately wave-exposed, circalittoral soft bedrock subject to moderately strong tidal streams. As this complex is found in highly turbid water conditions, the circalittoral zone may begin at the low water mark, due to poor light penetration. This complex is dominated by the piddock Pholas dactylus. Other species typical of this complex include the polychaete Polydora and Bispira volutacornis, the sponges Cliona celata and Suberites ficus, the bryozoan Flustra foliacea, Alcyonium digitatum, the starfish Asterias rubens, the mussel Mytilus edulis and the crab Necora puber and Cancer pagurus. Foliose red algae may also be present. Please note: in areas subject to very high turbidity, biotopes within this habitat type may occur in the infralittoral and even the littoral zone.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A4.23 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
Flustra foliacea | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
Pholas dactylus | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.MCR.SfR | Soft rock communities | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.23 | Communities on soft circalittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.68 | Communities on soft circalittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.68 | Communities on soft moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.68 | Communities on soft moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.67 | Communities on moderately exposed soft circalittoral rock | same |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.SfR | Soft rock communities | same |