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Concept: [Himanthalia elongata] and red seaweeds on exposed lower eulittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.123
Preferred label [Himanthalia elongata] and red seaweeds on exposed lower eulittoral rock
Definition Exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral bedrock characterised by the wrack [Himanthalia elongata] with a dense turf of red seaweeds beneath. [H. elongata] may occur on tide-swept, sheltered shores in sea lochs (e.g. Loch Maddy). The wrack [Fucus serratus] is normally present as well. The predominant red seaweeds are usually [Mastocarpus stellatus], [Osmundea pinnatifida], [Corallina officinalis] and [Palmaria palmata] that tend to grow over a crust of the pink coralline algae [Lithothamnion] spp. Any patches between the algal turf may be colonised by barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides], or [Balanus perforatus] in the south-west, and by the limpet [Patella vulgata]. Pits and crevices in the rock often provide a refuge for the whelk [Nucella lapillus], the winkle [Littorina] spp. and small individuals of the mussel [Mytilus edulis]. Besides the dominant seaweeds there are a number of other red, brown and green seaweeds present. These include species such as the red seaweeds [Dumontia contorta], [Lomentaria articulata, Porphyra] spp., the kelp [Laminaria digitata] and the green seaweeds [Enteromorpha intestinalis], [Ulva lactuca] and [Cladophora rupestris]. Situation: On some shores this biotope may occur as a distinct zone between a [Fucus serratus] and red algal turf (Fser.R) and the kelp [Alaria esculenta] and [L. digitata] community (Ala.Ldig). This biotope generally characterises those shores which are too exposed for [F. serratus] to form a dense canopy, often occurring as large patches within the [F. serratus] / red seaweed turf zone (Fser.R). Consequently, [F. serratus] plants frequently occur amongst the [H. elongata] and red seaweed turf. Temporal variation: In early spring only characteristic [H. elongata] buttons are present, while the long erect parts of the thalli appears later in the season. This biotope may therefore appear very similar to Coff.Coff biotope in the spring and care should be taken when assessing these biotopes in early spring (See Similar biotopes).
Notation A1.123
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match