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Concept: [Rhodothamniella floridula] on sand-scoured lower eulittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.215
Preferred label [Rhodothamniella floridula] on sand-scoured lower eulittoral rock
Definition Lower eulittoral and sublittoral fringe bedrock and boulders subject to mild sand-scouring characterised by a canopy of the wracks [Fucus serratus] or [Fucus vesiculosus], beneath which a mat of the sand-binding red seaweed [Rhodothamniella floridula] occurs. These mats can form distinct areas without [F. serratus]. The small hummocks of [R. floridula] also contain a diversity of other red seaweeds tolerant of sand scour, e.g. [Palmaria palmata, Chondrus crispus], coralline crusts and [Mastocarpus stellatus]. The brown seaweed [Cladostephus spongiosus] or the ephemeral green seaweed [Enteromorpha intestinalis], [Ulva lactuca] or [Cladophora rupestris] may occur. The hydroid [Dynamena pumila] can form colonies on the [F. serratus] fronds. The barnacle [Semibalanus balanoides], the limpet [Patella vulgata], the anemone [Actinia equina] and the polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] may be present where bedrock are available along with a few winkles such as [Littorina littorea]. In addition, polychaetes and amphipods may burrow into the [R]. [floridula] mat, while the mussel [Mytilus edulis] is restricted to small crevices in the bedrock. The species diversity of this biotope is normally low and there can be much variation in the species composition from site to site. Situation: Above this biotope in sand influenced areas are a community dominated by [M. edulis] and [F. vesiculosus] or where the sand scour is more severe, is a biotope dominated by ephemeral seaweeds such as [Enteromorpha] spp. and the red seaweed [Porphyra] spp. (EntPor). Below this biotope are biotopes dominated by [F. serratus] and/or red seaweeds (see Fser variants) or biotopes dominated by kelp such as [Alaria esculenta] and/or [Laminaria digitata] (Ala.Ldig). Temporal variation: Where sand scour is more severe, fucoids and [R. floridula] may be rare or absent and green ephemeral seaweeds dominate the substratum (EntPor).
Notation A1.215
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match