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Concept: Faunal crusts on wave-surged littoral cave walls in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.448
Preferred label Faunal crusts on wave-surged littoral cave walls
Definition The inner walls of caves, predominantly in the mid shore in wave-surged conditions dominated by barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides], and [Verruca stroemia], with patches of encrusting sponges such as [Halichondria panicea] and [Grantia compressa] and occasional patches of the mussel [Mytilus edulis]. Increased moisture allows a denser faunal population than ScrFa to develop within the cave. The limpet [Patella vulgata] and spirorbid tube-forming polychaetes can be present. The hydroid [Dynamena pumila] and anemones such as [Metridium senile] and [Actinia equina] may occur towards the lower reaches of the cave. Where a dense faunal turf of barnacles or bryozoan crusts covers the cave walls, the biotope can also extend to cover the ceiling and may be accompanied by the bryozoan [Alcyonidium diaphanum]. Variations of this biotope may occur in mid and lower shore scoured caves in south Wales the rock is dominated by dense [Sabellaria alveolata]. In south-west England the rock can be completely covered by the barnacle [Balanus perforatus]. There may be a variation in the species composition from cave to cave, depending on local conditions. Situation: This biotope usually occurs above the sand/pebble scoured ScrFa zone and may extend to the ceilings of the caves.
Notation A1.448
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match