| Concept URI | http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.324 | 
|---|---|
| Preferred label | [Ascophyllum nodosum] and [Fucus vesiculosus] on variable salinity mid eulittoral rock | 
| Definition | Very sheltered to extremely sheltered mid eulittoral bedrock, boulders or cobbles subject to variable salinity characterised by an impoverished community dominated by a mixture of the wracks [Ascophyllum nodosum] and [Fucus vesiculosus]. Underneath the canopy are a few green seaweeds including [Enteromorpha intestinalis] and [Cladophora] spp., while the red seaweed [Polysiphonia lanosa] can be found as an epiphyte on [A. nodosum]. On the rock and among the boulders are the winkles [Littorina littorea] and [Littorina saxatilis], the crab [Carcinus maenas], the barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides] and [Elminius modestus] and even the occasional mussel [Mytilus edulis]. Among the seaweeds and underneath the boulders a variety of gammarids can be found. Situation: This biotope usually lies below the [Fucus spiralis] biotope (Fspi.VS) or the [Fucus ceranoides] dominated biotopes (Fcer) and above the variable salinity [F. serratus] dominated biotope (Fserr.VS), although on some shores a narrow zone of [F. vesiculosus] (Fves) may occur immediately above the [A. nodosum]. With increasing wave exposure the [A. nodosum] canopy can be more dense (Asc.FS). Temporal variation: [A. nodosum] can reach an age of 25 years and the communities are usually stable. [F. vesiculosus] or [F. serratus] can occur in patches where the [A. nodosum] has been removed. | 
| Notation | A1.324 | 
| Status | Valid | 
| Status Modified | 2014-01-31 | 
| Accepted Date | 2014-01-31 | 
| Not Accepted Date | |
| Has broader | |
| Has exact match | 
European Environment Agency
                        
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