Concept: Low energy littoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.3
Preferred label Low energy littoral rock
Definition Sheltered to extremely sheltered rocky shores with very weak to weak tidal streams are typically characterised by a dense cover of fucoid seaweeds which form distinct zones (the wrack [Pelvetia canaliculata] on the upper shore through to the wrack [Fucus serratus] on the lower shore). Where salinity is reduced (such as at the head of a sea loch or where streams run across the shore) [Fucus ceranoides] may occur. Fucoids also occur on less stable, mixed substrata (cobbles and pebbles on sediment) although in lower abundance and with fewer associated epifaunal species; beds of mussels [Mytilus edulis] are also common. In summer months, dense blankets of ephemeral green and red seaweeds can dominate these mixed shores. Two biological subtypes have been described: Dense blankets of fucoid seaweeds dominating sheltered, fully marine littoral rocky shores (A1.31) and fucoids dominating variable salinity rocky shores (A1.32).
Notation A1.3
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Editorial note
  • No changes proposed at level 3 (Southampton workshop)
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Has exact match