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Concept: [Laminaria digitata], ascidians and bryozoans on tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A3.221
Preferred label [Laminaria digitata], ascidians and bryozoans on tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock
Definition Sheltered bedrock, boulders and cobbles that are subject to moderate to strong tidal water movement characterised by dense [Laminaria digitata], coralline crusts and sponges such as [Halichondria panicea]. Other seaweeds present include the foliose red [seaweeds Chondrus crispus, Palmaria palmata, Cryptopleura ramosa] and [Mastocarpus stellatus] as well as the calcareous [Corallina officinalis]. Green seaweeds present include [Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha intestinalis] and [Cladophora rupestris]. The increased water movement encourages several filter-feeding faunal groups to occur. The sponges [Leucosolenia] spp., [Scypha ciliata] and [Hymeniacidon perleve] frequently occur on steep and overhanging rock faces. The bryozoans [Electra pilosa], [Membranoptera membranipora] and [Alcyonidium hirsutum] encrust the kelp and other foliose seaweeds. In addition, ascidians such as [Ascidiella scabra], [Dendrodoa grossularia] and colonial ascidians [Botryllus byssoides] and [Botryllus leachi] often thrive in this environment encrusting both the rock and the seaweeds. The tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] can be found on the rock and on the kelp holdfasts along with the barnacle [Balanus crenatus]. More mobile species such as the gastropods [Gibbula cineraria] and [Calliostoma zizyphinum], the crab [Carcinus maenas] and the starfish [Asterias rubens] are also common. Areas where increased tidal movement influences this community can be found in the narrows and/or intertidal sills of sealochs. Situation: This biotope often occurs immediately below the tide-swept [Fucus serratus] biotope (SLR.Fserr.T) consequently, some [F. serratus] may occur in this biotope (typically only Occasional). The sublittoral fringe of similarly sheltered shores that are not tide-swept are generally characterised by mixed [Laminaria saccharina] and [L. digitata] (Lsac.Ldig) or [L. saccharina] (Lsac). Below LdigT, at these sheltered, tide-swept sites, a canopy of mixed kelp species often occurs (see XKT and XKTX).
Notation A3.221
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match