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Concept: [Audouinella purpurea] and [Cladophora rupestris] on upper to mid-shore cave walls in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.444
Preferred label [Audouinella purpurea] and [Cladophora rupestris] on upper to mid-shore cave walls
Definition Vertical and steeply-sloping upper walls at the entrances and inner reaches of upper to mid-shore caves that are partially sheltered from direct wave action characterised by a turf of the 'velvety' red seaweed [Audouinella purpurea]. Patches of green filamentous seaweed [Cladophora] [rupestris] can be present. The fauna is generally limited to limpets [Patella] spp., the winkle [Littorina saxatilis] and the barnacle [Semibalanus balanoides], while they usually occur in low abundance. Filamentous or crust forming brown seaweeds may occur mixed with [A. purpurea], often becoming a zone in its own right (AudPil) above the AudCrup biotope. Other shade-tolerant red seaweed such as [Catenella caespitosa] and [Lomentaria articulata] may occur (but at lower abundance), and where freshwater seepage occurs, [Enteromorpha intestinalis] can form patches. Some variation in the species composition of the individual caves must be expected depending on local conditions. [A. purpurea] can be the only seaweed present in caves on the Thanet coast in south-east England. This biotope is known to occur in hard rock caves in north-east England and chalk caves in south-east England. Received after deadline: [A. purpurea] has changed name to [Rhodochorton purpurea]. Situation: In hard rock caves, this biotope is generally found on the upper walls above the ScrFa and FaCr biotopes and beneath the biotopes dominated by green and/or brown crusts (GCv; AudPil). In chalk caves, AudCrup may cover the lower and upper walls, while it is usually found below GCv and/or AudPil.
Notation A1.444
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match