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Concept: [Alcyonium digitatum] with [Securiflustra securifrons] on tide-swept moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.2143
Preferred label [Alcyonium digitatum] with [Securiflustra securifrons] on tide-swept moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock
Definition This variant is typically found on the upper and vertical faces of moderately wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. The rock surface is dominated by [Alcyonium digitatum] and the bryozoan [Securiflustra securifrons]. The rock between these species appears fairly sparse and grazed, with expanses of encrusting red algae. The sea urchin [Echinus esculentus] is frequently seen, and in collaboration with the light attenuating effects of depth, is probably the principal reason for the lack of algal turf. Other species found include the hydroids [Abietinaria abietina], [Nemertesia antennina], [Thuiaria thuja], the bryozoans [Cellepora pumicosa], [Parasmittina trispinosa], [Flustra foliacea], [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and other bryozoan crusts. Encrusting species such as the polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] and the barnacle [Balanus balanus] are frequently observed. Other species present include [Asterias rubens], [Antedon bifida], [Ophiura albida], [Ophiothrix fragilis], [Caryophyllia smithii], [Urticina felina], [Clavelina lepadiformis], [Calliostoma zizphinium] and [Pandalus montagui]. Situation: Above this biotope, you tend to find exposed kelp forest and park (LhypR). There is a tendency for slight scouring to occur in this biotope. However, if this scour increases further, for example if water movement increases, mobilising more sand, this biotope may graduate into UrtScr. In more silty sites, there is a tendency for [S. securifrons] to be replaced by [F. foliacea] as the dominant bryozoan, turning the biotope into FaAlCr.Flu. Temporal variation: Whilst the great majority of species in this variant are most likely present throughout the year, [C. lepadiformis] grows in spring and may show great variation in abundance from year to year.
Notation A4.2143
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match