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Concept: Barnacles and [Littorina] spp. on unstable eulittoral mixed substrata in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A2.431
Preferred label Barnacles and [Littorina] spp. on unstable eulittoral mixed substrata
Definition The eulittoral zone, particularly the mid shore zone, of sheltered to extremely sheltered mixed substrata shores is often characterised by flat banks or scards of cobbles and pebbles (on sediment) which are either too small or unstable to support a seaweed community. The boulders and larger cobbles are usually colonised by the barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides] or in areas with variable salinity [Elminius modestus] and often dense aggregations of the winkles [Littorina littorea] and [Littorina saxatilis] are present as well. Between the cobbles and pebbles the mussel [Mytilus edulis] occasionally occurs, but always at low abundance. Juvenile crabs [Carcinus maenas] and gammarids may occur between and underneath the pebbles and cobbles. Brown seaweeds are rare, although the wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] may occasionally occur on larger cobbles and small boulders in the mid and upper shore zones. Ephemeral green seaweeds such as [Enteromorpha intestinalis] may also be present. Shallow pools and patches of standing water may occur in low-lying areas and may contain amphipods and filamentous green seaweeds. Due to the unstable nature of the substratum the diversity and density of flora and fauna is characteristically low. Situation: This biotope is found primarily on enclosed (estuarine) stony shores in wave-sheltered conditions (compare with Sem.LlitX) and may be subject to variable levels of salinity. It is found predominately in the mid shore zone below or at the same level as the biotope dominated by ephemeral green seaweeds (EphX). If it is found in the upper shore region it can be backed by salt marsh species such as [Salacornia] and [Spartina] sp. Below are biotopes dominated by the wracks [Fucus serratus] or [F. vesiculosus] (Fserr.X; Fves.X).
Notation A2.431
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match