Concept: [Chthamalus] spp. on exposed upper eulittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.112
Preferred label [Chthamalus] spp. on exposed upper eulittoral rock
Definition Very exposed to moderately exposed upper and mid eulittoral bedrock and boulders characterised by a dense community of barnacles, including [Chthamalus montagui], [Chthamalus stellatus] and [Semibalanus balanoides], and the limpet [Patella vulgata]. Damp cracks and crevices in the rock provide a refuge for small individuals of the mussel [Mytilus edulis] and the winkles [Melarhaphe neritoides] and [Littorina saxatilis]. These crevices can also be occupied by encrusting coralline algae and the anemone [Actinia equina]. Black patches of the lichen [Verrucaria maura] may be found in this zone. There is much regional variation in the distribution and zonation of [Chthamalus] spp. On the west coast [Chthamalus] spp. dominate the upper eulittoral, often forming a distinct white band above a darker band of [S. balanoides] in the mid eulittoral zone. [C. montagui] is better adapted to resist desiccation and, therefore, extends further up the shore. On some shores, particularly in the south-west, [Chthamalus] spp. is the dominant barnacle throughout the eulittoral zone (Cht.Cht). On other shores, particularly in the south, [Lichina pygmaea] can form a distinct zone (Cht.Lpyg). Situation: Cht is found below the black lichen [Verrucaria maura] (Ver.B or Ver.Ver) on very exposed shores and above the mussel [Mytilus edulis] and barnacle biotope (MytB). On slightly less exposed shores the wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] is able to survive and a mixed barnacle and [F. vesiculosus] biotope may occur (Sem.FvesR) beneath Cht. On such moderately exposed shores Cht may still occur on steep and vertical faces, while fucoids dominate the flatter areas (Sem.FvesR or Fves), though these communities should not be confused with Sem.FvesR. Cht can also occur above Sem. On very sheltered sea lochs in Argyll, West Scotland [Chthamalus] spp. are unusually abundant in the upper eulittoral zone.
Notation A1.112
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has narrower
Has exact match