EUNIS habitat classification 2012 amended 2019 > A - Marine habitats > A4 - Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata > A4.7 - Features of circalittoral rock

Features of circalittoral rock

English name: Features of circalittoral rock

Description (English)

Circalittoral rock features include circalittoral fouling communities (A4.72) and circalittoral caves and overhangs (A4.71). These features are present throughout the circalittoral zone in a variety of wave exposures and tidal streams. Two fouling subtypes have also been identified: A4.722 has been recorded from disused fishing nets and other artificial substrata, and is characterised by aggregations of Ascidiella aspersa whilst A4.721 has been recorded from steel wrecks, and is characterised by dense aggregations of Alcyonium digitatum and Metridium senile. Habitats in hard substrata in the circalittoral zone characterised by the presence of seeping or bubbling gases, oils or water are also included (A4.73).

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code A4.7
Bern Convention	Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4)
Relation to	Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Legal status

Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments

Legal text	Annex	Name in legal text	Code in legal text	Habitat type relationship	More information
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	Overlap	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Reefs	1170	Overlap
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Submarine structures made by leaking gases	1180	Overlap
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007	Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation	Submerged or partially submerged sea caves	8330	Overlap

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Alcyonium digitatum

Invertebrates Metridium senile

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Alcyonium digitatum		Invertebrates
Metridium senile		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
CORINE Land Cover	5.2.3.	Sea and ocean	n/a
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405	CR.FCR	Features of circalittoral rock	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4.7	Features of circalittoral rock	same

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