Macaronesian communities of lower eulittoral rock sheltered from wave action

This habitat occurs in the sheltered lower horizon of the mediolittoral rock and develops in response to the combined effects of little wave action, variations in atmospheric pressure,  wind and tide. The dominant aspect is the constant humidity of the substratum. It is found throughout Macaronesia in the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands and includes a proposed newly described biotope  ‘Association with Enteromorpha compressa’ which occurs in the Azores. 

Indicators of quality:

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

One of the associated species, Padina pavonica, is affected by and thrives under acidic conditions and may therefore be useful as a bioindicator of ocean acidification

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats