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Concept: Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral cave walls and floors in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.44A
Preferred label Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral cave walls and floors
Definition Mid and upper shore mobile boulders/cobbles on cave floors and the lower reaches of cave walls which are subject to scour are generally devoid of macro-fauna and flora. However, where light is available around the cave entrances, encrusting coralline algae may cover the rock and boulder surfaces. In some instances they may support sparse fauna such as the limpet [Patella] spp. and the winkle [Littorina saxatilis]. Situation: This biotope is situated on the floor, or at the base of cave walls, often with a zone of ScrFa above (where the scouring effect of boulders is less). In areas of extreme wave exposure this zone will extend high up the sides of the cave and in less wave-exposed conditions where the effects of scouring are reduced, some fauna may be present. At the entrances and 2-3 metres into upper shore caves, a zone of Sem may occur above the BarCv, becoming a zone of VmucHil further into the cave. In mid shore caves, BarCv is above by a zone of ScrFa (sparse fauna), and in caves on the lower shore, the surge-tolerant SR.Den may occur above this zone. Temporal variation: In calmer summer months cave mouths may have some ephemeral algae (e.g. [Enteromorpha intestinalis]) and a spat-fall of barnacles or limpets.
Notation A1.44A
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match