Macaronesian communities of infralittoral algae moderately exposed to wave action

This habitat is characterised by the presence of many photophilic algae covering areas of bedrock and boulders. It occurs in the infralittoral zone in areas that are moderately exposed to wave action and currents. 

In the case of the Azores  - northern archipelago – four associations are recognized: one of the brown algae Colpomenia sinuosa, another one of the red genus Peyssonnelia,  with P. rubra as most common species. The two other biotopes are mainly associated to brown macroalgae, such as Zonaria tournefortii – Dictyota spp. and Turf (calcareous and non calcareous) with Dictyota spp. and Stypocaulon scoparium / Halopteros filicina.

In the southern archipelagos: Madeira, Selvagem and Canary Islands the diversity of biotopes is much greater as is the variety of associated macroalgae. Where the articulated calcareous algae Ellisondia (Corallina) elongate is the characteristic species, there are also many associated epiphytes and small marine invertebrates. The brown foliose macroalgal biotope is characterised mainly by  Lobophora variegata, with other dictyotales such as Zonaria tournefortii, Dictyota spp., Stypopopdium zonale as major elements.There is also an associated biotope composed by the green algae Pseudotetraspora marina), which has been spreading along areas of moderately exposed infralittoral rocks in the Canary Islands. The biotope characterised by Cymopolia barbata covers large shallow infralittoral rocks in locations with strong sunlight. In the eastern canarian archipelago, another conspicuous biotope is that of Padina pavonica, which is sometimes associated with Cladostephus spongiosus, Hypnea and Spyridia.

On horizontal rocky surfaces the red algae Lophocladia trichoclados may form nearly monospecific stands. Seasonal red algal of the genera Galaxaura, Dudresnaya, Liagora and Helminthocladia, are key elements of another conspicuous biotope, whereas the turf forming articulated calcareous algae Haliptilon, Jania and Amphiroa are widespread biotope in the Selvagem and Canary Islands.

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.

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats