# tblEUNIS2007

description:
Siliceous, cool, damp [Oxyria digyna] screes of the subalpine and alpine levels of the Alps.


hname:
Southwestern Alpine mountain sorrel screes

description:
Siliceous, cool, damp screes restricted to the southwestern Alps, comprising the endemic species [Viola valderia] and [Thlaspi limosellifolium].


description:
Stabilised siliceous screes of the Pyrenees.


description:
Siliceous [Oxyria digyna] screes of high mountains of Corsica.


description:
Siliceous[Oxyria digyna] screes of the Tatras and the high southeastern Carpathians.


description:
Siliceous [Oxyria digyna] screes of the high Rila and Pirin mountains, with [Poa cenisia ssp. contracta], [Geum reptans], [Satureja alpina], [Pedicularis verticillata], [Armeria alpina], [Luzula spicata], [Bellardiochloa violacea].


description:
Communities of siliceous screes of the high alpine and nival levels of the central Alps dominated by [Androsace alpina] or [Androsace wulfeniana].


description:
Humid, humus-rich siliceous screes of the Alps, the Carpathians and the Rhodope Mountains, on slopes long-covered with snow, carpeted by the alpine woodrush, [Luzula alpinopilosa], accompanied by a cortège that constitutes an ecological variant of the snow patch communities of unit E4.11, characterized by a stronger representation of scree species of the [Androsasetalia].


description:
Near-permanent snow packs, in particular in avalanche corridors.


description:
Permanent and near-permanent ice. Includes ice sheets, ice caps, cirque glaciers, valley glaciers, and small ice masses (glacierets) that are either permanent or persist for a few years.


description:
Dome-like ice masses unconstrained by topography, together with their outlet glaciers. They are characteristic of arctic regions. The largest ice sheet in the northern hemisphere is that of Greenland. Smaller ice sheets and ice caps occur in Iceland, Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen, southern Norway, Franz Josef Land, Severnaya Zemlya and the islands of the De-Longa group.


description:
Glaciers constrained by topography, including cirque glaciers, valley glaciers, mountain glaciers, piedmont glaciers. They are characteristic, in particular, of the large mountain ranges of the Alpine system, occurring also in arctic regions, notably on Novaya Zemlya, in the subpolar and polar Urals, in the east Siberian mountains and, locally, in Iceland.


description:
Small ice masses, permanent, or with an existence of a few years, derived in particular from snow-drifting, avalanches, or ice deposition in cold-bottom karst dolines.


hname:
Rock glaciers and unvegetated ice-dominated moraines

description:
Mixtures of ice and rocks in which the rocks ride on top of the ice (rock glaciers), or form ridges or mounds of morainic material containing buried ice (ice-core moraines), or are in the process of losing the ice to become glacial moraines. Excludes unvegetated glacial moraines where ice is no longer dominant (H5.2).


description:
Glacier-like tongues of angular talus extending out from a cirque and slowly moving downslope under the effect of gravity and of underlying, fully covered, interstitial ice.


description:
Fairly large ridges or mounds of morainic material containing buried ice, originating from till deposited on former glacier ice or from morainic material deposited on a snow bank, adjacent to the ice front.


description:
Xerophile grasslands of rare localities of the Cretaceous northwestern and western periphery of the Paris basin, in particular in the valleys of the Seine and Somme.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of the Parisian Tertiary in the central Paris basin.


description:
Xerophile grasslands of the northeastern, eastern and southeastern Jurassic belt of the Paris basin and adjacent Cretaceous areas in Lorraine, Champagne, Haute Marne, Burgundy, Haute Saone.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of the Rhine, Mainz, Moselle, Neckar, Nahe and Lahn valleys in their crossing of the northern Hercynian ranges.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of the upper Rhine rift and adjacent hills, in Alsace, Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of the French and Swiss Jura and adjacent areas.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of the Swabian Alb, Lake Constance region and adjacent areas.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of the Franconian Alb, Franconian plateaux and adjacent areas.


description:
Hill and montane xerophile grasslands of the northwestern calcareous pre-Alps.


description:
Hill and montane xerophile calcareous grasslands of the Bavarian plateau.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of the southern Paris basin, Berry and Auvergne.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of southwestern France in Charentes, Perigord and Aquitaine.


description:
Xerophile calcareous grasslands of Quercy.


description:
Hill and montane xerophile calcareous grasslands of the Pyrenees and adjacent areas; in the pubescent oak level of the eastern part of the range [Xerobromion] grasslands with [Koeleria vallesiana], [Festuca ovina] s.l. and Bromus erectus come in contact with [Aphyllanthion] formations occupying more humid soils and closed postcultural [Brachypodium] grasslands of the [Brachypodion phoenicoides]. On the south side of the range, xerophile pastures are represented in lower zones and on sheletered sunny slopes by communities of the [Aphyllanthion], of decidedly Mediterranean hue, while the formations of the [Xerobromion], of more Euro-Siberian character, occupy the other situations. Chamaephytes such as [Helianthemum nummularium], [Artemisia alba], [Teucrium pyrenaicum], [Ononis spinosa], [Ononis natrix] are abundant alongside the gramineous [Phleum phleoides], [Festuca ovina] s.l., and [Carex humilis].


description:
[Xerobromion] grasslands of the southwestern Alps.


description:
Open, arid pastures developed in the thermophilous deciduous [Quercus cerris-Quercus pubescens-Ostrya carpinifolia] belt of the northern Apennines, south approximately to the area of the Monte della Luna, southeastern Tuscany, where they occupy arenaceous-marly substrates and come in contact with the grasslands of unit E1.54, located on limestones and much richer in Apennine endemics. At their southern limit, the northern formations are rich in chamaephytes, notably [Coronilla minima], [Asperula purpurea], [Fumana procumbens], alongside [Astragalus monspessulanus], [Bromus erectus], [Brachypodium pinnatum] and [Festuca inops].


description:
Dry calciphile grasslands of sunny stony slopes and cliff ledges of the Swabian and Franconian Jura and of the Franconian Main region, dominated by [Sesleria albicans], usually accompanied by [Bromus erectus] and often, particularly in the Jura, by [Festuca pallens] and alpine species below their normal zone; they are somewhat intermediate between the sub-Atlantic very dry grasslands and the pale fescue grasslands of unit E1.29, particularly of unit E1.2911, and are sometimes included among the latter.


description:
Low-altitude middle European xerophile, rupicolous or psammophilous, grasslands of slightly calcareous substrates, with [Festuca heteropachys], [Festuca trachyphylla], [Koeleria macrantha] ([Koeleria gracilis]), [Phleum phleoides], [Luzula campestris], [Dianthus deltoides], [Jasione montana], [Agrostis tenuis], [Potentilla erecta], [Armeria elongata], [Artemisia campestris], [Aster linosyris], [Lychnis viscaria], [Silene otites], [Silene nutans], [Chamaespartium sagittale], [Campanula patula], [Potentilla rupestris], [Helianthemum nummularium ssp. obscurum], [Helianthemum apenninum], [Scleranthus perennis], [Allium senescens ssp. montanum].


description:
Brassicoid formations of the Spanish Meseta with [Brassica barrelieri], [Andryala arenaria], [Alyssum granatense], [Rhynchosinapis hispida], [Euphorbia matritensis], [Sisymbrium contortum], [Papaver argemone], [Hirschfeldia incana], [Capsella rubella].


hname:
Iberian southeastern subnitrophilous herb communities

description:
Formations of the arid Iberian Southeast with [Astragalus longidentatus], [Brassica cossoniana], [Carrichtera annua], [Euphorbia dracunculoides], [Lasiopogon muscoides], [Leontodon salzmannii], [Lotus edulis], [Lycocarpus fugax], [Matthiola lunata], [Matthiola parviflora], [Notoceras bicorne], [Volutaria lippii] ([Amberboa lippii]).


hname:
Eastern Mediterranean subnitrophilous herb communities

description:
Annual herb formations of arid areas of the Aegean (e.g. eastern Crete) and western Asia, developed in particular as ultimate degradation of overgrazed phryganas.


hname:
Closed non-Mediterranean dry acid and neutral grassland

description:
Closed, dry or mesophile, perennial grasslands occupying acid soils in Atlantic or sub-Atlantic lowland to montane regions of northern Europe, middle Europe and western Iberia, with [Nardus stricta], [Festuca filiformis] ([Festuca tenuifolia]), [Festuca ovina], [Festuca rubra], [Agrostis capillaris], [Danthonia decumbens], [Anthoxanthum odoratum], [Deschampsia flexuosa], [Poa angustifolia], [Galium saxatile], [Polygala vulgaris], [Viola canina], [Meum athamanticum], [Arnica montana], [Centaurea nigra], [Dianthus deltoides], [Gentianella campestris], [Chamaespartium sagittale], [Jasione laevis], [Potentilla erecta], [Carex pilulifera]. Any of the grasses listed can dominate or codominate distinctive facies; [Calamagrostis epigejos] or [Carex arenaria] also can invade and dominate some formations.


description:
Mesophile and xerophile [Nardus stricta]-dominated or -rich grasslands of Atlantic or sub-Atlantic lowland, collinar and montane regions of northern Europe, middle Europe and western Iberia. Other important species: [Festuca rubra], [Agrostis capillaris], [Agrostis pyrenaica], [Avenula versicolor], [Campanula alpina] and [Avenella flexuosa].


description:
Mesophile and xerophile [Nardus stricta]-dominated or -rich grasslands of the British Isles and the Faeroe Islands, with [Agrostis capillaris], [Galium saxatile], [Potentilla erecta].


description:
Mesophile and xerophile [Nardus stricta]-dominated or -rich grasslands of Atlantic or sub-Atlantic lowland, collinar and montane regions of the mainland of Europe, extending north to western Jutland, northern Jutland, nemoral and boreonemoral southern Sweden, nemoral southern Norway and oceanic southern boreal Norway, east to Poland, Lithuania, the Bohemian Quadrangle, the Carpathians and the Austrian pre-Alps, southwest to Asturias and Cantabria; the species cortège includes [Polygala vulgaris], [Hypericum maculatum f. glabrum], [Galium saxatile], [Carex panicea], [Hieracium umbellatum], [Hypochoeris maculata], [Genista tinctoria], [Arnica montana], [Campanula rotundifolia], [Plantago lanceolata], [Potentilla erecta], [Thymus pulegioides].


description:
Endemic grassland community of the Beskid vicinity of Poland, dominated by [Nardus stricta], accompanied by [Danthonia decumbens] ([Sieglingia decumbens]), [Viola canina var. ericetorum], [Polygala vulgaris] and invaded to a varying degree by [Calluna vulgaris].


description:
Rare grassland community of the Czech and Austrian Bohemian Forest (Sumava) and of the Austrian southeastern pre-Alps, dominated by [Nardus stricta] with [Carex pallescens], [Gymnadenia conopsea], [Orchis mascula], [Dactylorhiza majalis], [Platanthera bifolia], [Phyteuma nigrum], [Lychnis flos-cuculi], [Anemone nemorosa].


description:
Mesophile and xerophile [Nardus stricta]-dominated or -rich grasslands of relatively high-rainfall lowland, collinar and montane regions of the Dinarides of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, northwestern Albania, mostly characteristic of the [Fagion illyricum] beech level and of the heaths of the [Carpinion illyricum] environment, extending into the Adriatic-influenced western forests of the [Fagion moesiacum].


description:
Closed mesophile or dry grasslands of the nemoral and boreal zones of Atlantic or sub-Atlantic lowland, collinar and montane regions of Europe formed by [Agrostis] spp. and [Festuca] spp., in association with other grasses such as [Anthoxanthum odoratum], [Hierochloe odorata], [Deschampsia flexuosa], [Danthonia decumbens].


description:
Closed mesophile grasslands of Atlantic and, locally, of sub-Atlantic, middle Europe, mostly characteristic of the nemoral zone, extending north to the boreonemoral zone and, locally, to the boreal zone, formed by [Agrostis] spp. and [Festuca] spp.


description:
Grasslands of subarctic affinities of the northern boreal and middle boreal zones of northern Scandinavia and northwestern Russia, of the alpine and arcto-alpine zones of the Caledonian chains of Scandinavia and of lowlands and hills of Iceland, composed of [Festuca] spp., [Agrostis capillaris], with [Anthoxanthum odoratum], other grass species, often with [Polygonum viviparum] and other herbs.


description:
Relatively short grasslands of lower mountain slopes of northern Scandinavia and of lowlands and hills of Iceland dominated by [Agrostis capillaris] or [Anthoxanthum odoratum], with [Polygonum viviparum] ([Bistorta vivipara]) and [Carex bigelowii]. These grasslands are strongly influenced by, and perhaps entirely dependent on, grazing or mowing.


description:
Grasslands of Iceland dominated by [Agrostis capillaris], [Anthoxanthum odoratum], [Hierochlo‰ odorata], with a species cortège similar to that of unit E1.7221, occurring under similar conditions but with a somewhat longer-lasting snow cover. Some stands are dominated by [Deschampsia flexuosa] and are included in unit E1.73.


description:
Herb-rich grasslands, 20-40 cm tall, developed on sandy soils, often on inundatable terrain, under cold-temperate climates, characteristic of the northern boreal zone of Fennoscandia and northwestern Russia, extending locally in the middle boreal zone of eastern Sweden and Finland and in the alpine and arcto-alpine zones of the Caledonian chains of Scandinavia, dominated by [Festuca ovina] with a cortège, rich in northern species, that includes [Polygonum viviparum] ([Bistorta vivipara]), [Anthoxanthum odoratum], [Deschampsia cespitosa], [Carex vaginata], [Achillea millefolium], [Campanula rotundifolia], [Galium boreale], [Geranium sylvaticum], [Rubus arcticus], [Solidago virgaurea], [Thalictrum simplex], [Trollius europaeus], [Veronica longifolia].


description:
Grasslands of lowlands and lower mountains of Iceland and of the Faeroe Islands dominated by fescues of the [Festuca rubra] group, in particular, [Festuca vivipara], with a species cortège otherwise similar to that of unit E1.7221, including, in particular, [Polygonum viviparum] ([Bistorta vivipara]), [Kobresia myosuroides], [Anthoxanthum odoratum], [Carex bigelowii], developed on somewhat drier and sandier substrates than the grasslands of unit E1.7221.


hname:
Fenno-Scandian [Avenula pratensis]-[Festuca rubra] grasslands

description:
Dry or mesophile calcareous grasslands of subarctic affinities, limited to the continental middle boreal zone of lowland Sweden and northern Finland and to the middle boreal and arcto-alpine zones of the Scandinavian mountains;  dominated by [Festuca rubra], with [Botrychium boreale], [Botrychium lanceolatum], [Botrychium lunaria], [Carex brunnescens], [Carex ericetorum], [Cerastium alpinum], [Erigeron borealis], [Galium boreale], [Gentiana nivalis], [Gentianella amarella], [Gentianella campestris], [Gentianella tenella], [Poa glauca], [Primula scandinavica], [Primula striata].


description:
Flood swards dominated by [Alopecurus geniculatus].


description:
Flood swards dominated by [Agrostis stolonifera].


description:
Flood swards dominated by [Festuca arundinacea].


description:
Flood swards dominated by [Elymus repens] ([Agropyron repens]).


hname:
Rhenish [Deschampsia media] flood swards

description:
Local flood swards of the Rhine valley dominated by [Deschampsia media].


description:
Grasslands of occasionally flooded river and lake banks, of depressions where rain water collects, of disturbed humid areas and of humid pastures submitted to intensive grazing dominated by small rushes, in particular [Juncus compressus] or [Juncus tenuis] ([Juncus macer]).


description:
Recently abandoned hay meadows with invasion of [Polygonum bistorta], [Filipendula ulmaria] or [Phragmites communis], in a successional state between E3.41 and communities of unit E5.4 or of woodland.


description:
Meadows of moderately to very nutrient-rich, alluvial or fertilised, non-saline, wet or damp soils in the steppe and wooded steppe zones of Eurasia and their areas of influence. They are widespread in southeastern Central Europe, in Eastern Europe and southern Siberia, extending west to the Pannonic plain and to areas of Pannonic or Pontic influence in southern Moravia, sub-Carpathian hills and the Balkans. Depending on the degree of wetness and substrate type dominants in wet sites are [Molinia caerulea] or [Carex gracilis]; physiognomy of hygromesophile meadows is formed especially by [Deschampsia cespitosa], [Juncus inflexus] and [Mentha longifolia]; in mesophile and moderately moist conditions on alluvial sediments [Agropyron repens] or [Festuca pratensis] dominate.


description:
Humid grasslands of pre-Pannonic hills of Austria, Moravia, Hungary, Slovakia and Transylvania, rich in [Cirsium canum], usually dominated by [Alopecurus pratensis], [Festuca pratensis], [Deschampsia cespitosa], with [Polygonum bistorta], [Angelica sylvestris], [Scirpus sylvaticus].


description:
Humid meadows of river valleys of the eastern Carpathian ranges, their foothills and associated plateaux, of the southern pre-Pannonic foothills of the western Carpathians and of the Central Hungarian Range, similar to the sub-Atlantic meadows of the [Calthion palustris] and, like them, dominated by species such as [Scirpus sylvaticus], [Juncus effusus], [Cirsium rivulare], [Caltha palustris] ([Caltha laeta]), but developed under more subcontinental climatic conditions and accompanied by regional species, in particular [Valeriana simplicifolia], [Pedicularis limnogena], [Ligularia sibirica] and [Telekia speciosa].


hname:
Eastern Carpathian globe flower-cabbage thistle meadows

description:
Humid meadows of the eastern Carpathian system rich in [Cirsium oleraceum] and [Trollius europaeus], with [Angelica sylvestris], [Equisetum palustre], [Deschampsia cespitosa], [Molinia caerulea].


description:
Humid meadows of the eastern Carpathian system and of sub-Pannonic hills rich in [Polygonum bistorta].


description:
Humid meadows of the eastern Carpathian system dominated by [Juncus filiformis], often accompanied by [Carex pyrenaica] and [Deschampsia cespitosa].


description:
[Juncus effusus]-dominated humid meadows of the eastern Carpathian system, with [Epilobium palustre].


description:
Humid grasslands of the eastern Carpathian system and of sub-Pannonic hills dominated by [Scirpus sylvaticus].


description:
Humid grasslands of the eastern Carpathian system and of sub-Pannonic hills rich in [Cirsium rivulare], accompanied by montane boreal species, in particular [Trollius europaeus] and [Ligularia glauca].


hname:
Illyrio-Pannonic riverine and humid meadows

description:
Floodplain meadows of the great rivers of the Alföld and the Little Alföld, of the Pannonic Danube basin, of the Drava and Sava basins of Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia, of the Leitha and Danube basins of eastern Lower Austria and the Burgenland, of Transylvania and Oltenia, of the Illyrian oak and beech zones of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, subject to repeated flooding in the course of the year; wet or damp, non-saline meadows of moderately to very nutrient-rich, alluvial or fertilised soils of the same regions.


description:
Floodplain and humid meadows of the Ponto-Caspian basin and of the steppe and nemoral Russian plateaux and plains.


description:
Meadows along large rivers with placid river sections which are frozen every winter, are affected by flooding in spring. The traditional management as hay meadows has usually ceased. They are not yet severely overgrown with trees and bushes. Distributed in Finland, Sweden. Includes several vegetation types which vary according to the moisture (flooding) gradient: alluvial meadows dominated by [Equisetum fluviatile], [Carex acuta], [Carex aquatilis], [Calamagrostis], [Phalaris], [Deschampsia cespitosa], or tall-herbs, and dry alluvial meadows. Other species: [Convallaria majalis], [Elymus fibrosus], [Elymus mutabilis], [Festuca ovina], [Galium boreale], [Molinia caerulea], [Nardus stricta], [Salix triandra], [Solidago virgaurea], [Thalictrum simplex ssp. boreale] and [Trollius europaeus].


hname:
Eastern oro-Mediterranean and Balkan tall-herb communities

description:
Subalpine and alpine meso-hygrophile tall herb formations of moist hollows and gullies of the Balkan Range, the Hellenides and the mountains of Mediterranean Anatolia. Species: [Cirsium appendiculatum], [Angelica sylvestris], [Heracleum sphondylium], [Geum coccineum] from alliances [Cirsion appendiculati] and [Geion coccinei].


description:
Riparian and spring-edge vegetation of the montane and subalpine level of the Pindus and the Thessalian mountains south to Giona and Parnassus, with [Cirsium appendiculatum], [Cirsium tymphaeum], [Heracleum sphondylium ssp. pyrenaicum] ([Heracleum pollinianum]), [Stachys alopecuros] ([Betonica jacquinii]), [Scrophularia umbrosa] ([Scrophularia samaritanii]), [Scrophularia scopolii], [Achillea grandifolia], [Campanula trachelium ssp. athoa], [Chaerophyllum aureum], [Epilobium obscurum], [Solidago virgaurea], [Veratrum album], [Geranium asphodeloides].


description:
Montane meso-hygrophile tall herb formations of small splashing mountain torrents, moist hollows and gullies of the Balkan Range, the Rhodope Mountains, the Moeso-Macedonian mountains and the Pelagonides, irradiating southwards, in the montane, sylvatic, level of the northern Pindus and the Pieria. These communities harbour many species of the genus [Alchemilla].


hname:
Moesian Balkan thistle tall herb communities

description:
[Cirsium appendiculatum] tall herb formations of the Balkan Range, the Rhodope Mountains, the Moeso-Macedonian mountains, the Pelagonides, irradiating southwards, in the montane, sylvatic, level of the northern Pindus and the Pieria. The communities of the Balkan Range and the Rhodopides harbour several species endemic or rare in the region, including [Alchemilla plicatula], [Trollius europaeus], [Pinguicula vulgaris].


description:
[Petasites albus] or [Petasites hybridus] tall herb formations of the Balkan Range, the Rhodope Mountains, the Moeso-Macedonian mountains, the Pelagonides, with [Epilobium montanum], [Alchemilla] spp., [Carex] spp., [Geum coccineum].


description:
Tall herb communities of the Balkan Range, the Rhodope Mountains, the Moeso-Macedonian mountains, the Pelagonides dominated by [Heracleum sphondylium ssp. verticillatum], or [Heracleum sphondylium ssp. ternatum], extending south to the Moeso-Macedonian and Rhodopide mountains of northeastern Greece, in particular, to Belles, Athos, the Pangeon, the Falakron and the Rhodopi.


hname:
Moesian scarlet avens tall herb communities

description:
[Geum coccineum] formations of the Balkan Range, the Rhodope Mountains, the Moeso-Macedonian mountains, the Pelagonides, south to the Varnous, Vernon, Vermion and Voras-Tzena groups.


description:
Alpine and subalpine meso-hygrophile nitrophilous tall herb formations of the Alpine system and the higher Hercynian and Carpathian ranges, in particular, the Sudeten, the Black Forest, the Fichtelgebirge, the Dinarides, characteristic of the vicinity of cattle and game resting places, with [Rumex alpinus], [Senecio alpinus], [Cirsium spinosissimum], [Aconitum napellus], [Geranium phaeum], [Peucedanum ostruthium], [Urtica dioica], [Phleum alpinum] and, in eastern Carpathian communities, [Senecio subalpinus], [Leucanthemum waldsteinii], [Achillea distans], [Heracleum sphondylium ssp. transsilvanicum]. This habitat may have sometimes ruderal character.


description:
Subalpine and alpine meso-hygrophile tall herb formations of moist hollows and gullies of the boreal mountains and of the Scottish Highlands.


description:
Generally species-rich communities of North Atlantic boreal mountains and uplands dominated by forbs of moderate stature, in particular, [Rhodiola rosea], [Alchemilla glabra], [Geranium sylvaticum], associated with [Angelica sylvestris], [Angelica archangelica], grasses, woodrushes or geophytes.


description:
Communities of the mountains of the boreal and subarctic zones of the Eurasian continent dominated by tall dicotyledonous herbs.


hname:
Oroboreal tall grass and fern communities

description:
Communities of the montane and subalpine levels of mountains of the boreal and subarctic zones of the northern Eurasian continent, dominated by tall grasses of genera [Calamagrostis], [Deschampsia], [Festuca] accompanied by ferns and a dicot species cortège similar to that of the oroboreal tall-herb communities.


description:
Subalpine and alpine meso-hygrophile tall herb formations of moist hollows and gullies of the Pontic Range, of the Caucasus, of the Crimean mountains and of the Elburz.


description:
Fern-dominated facies of the tall herb communities of the alpine and sub-alpine zone, with [Athyrium distentifolium] ([Athyrium alpestre]), [Athyrium filix-femina], [Dryopteris filix-mas], [Dryopteris dilatata]; succession stages are often floristically more related to the small reed communities of E5.52.


description:
Saline land with dominant salt-tolerant grasses and herbs. Excludes saline scrubland, listed under F6.8 xero-halophile scrubs.


description:
Vegetated saline land of Mediterranean coastal regions and of the fringes of semiarid salt basins that lack drainage to the sea; often dominated by perennial, rosette-forming [Limonium] spp. or esparto grass, [Lygeum spartum]. The soils are temporarily permeated (though not inundated) by saline water and subject to extreme summer drying, with formation of salt efflorescences.


description:
Mediterranean salt steppes dominated by rosette-forming species of [Limonium] and with the presence of [Inula crithmoides], [Elymus elongatus ssp. ponticus], [Elymus flaccidifolius], [Centaurium tenuiflorum], [Polypogon maritimus], [Polypogon monspeliensis], [Psilurus incurvus], [Centaurium pulchellum], [Halimione portulacoides], [Parapholis marginata], [Plantago crassifolia] and [Puccinellia festuciformis ssp. convoluta]. Aegean and eastern Mediterranean coastal saltmarsh formations of [Camphorosma monspeliaca] or [Petrosimonia].


description:
Communities of salt basins of Iberia and of northwestern Mediterranean coastal saltmarshes and saline dunal depressions subject to extreme summer drying, dominated by rosette-forming [Limonium].


description:
Communities of Adriatic and Ionian coasts dominated by rosette-forming species of [Limonium] or [Goniolimon], developed in coastal basins, coastal saltmarshes and saline dunal depressions subjected to extreme summer drying.


hname:
[Alaria esculenta], [Mytilus edulis] and coralline crusts on very exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock

description:
Very exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock characterised by the kelp [Alaria esculenta] and dense patches of small individuals of the mussel [Mytilus edulis], both of which grow over a dense cover of encrusting coralline algae. Foliose red seaweeds may also be present, but the species composition and their abundance vary between sites. Species such as [Corallina officinalis] occur widely. The kelp [Laminaria digitata] is usually absent, although stunted plants may be present at a few sites. The limpet [Patella vulgata] and the barnacle [Semibalanus balanoides] are often common. Patches of anthozoans and the hydroid [Tubularia] spp. occur in more wave-surged areas. In extremely exposed areas the [A. esculenta] zone can extend as deep as 15 m, where it has less [S. balanoides], [M. edulis] and greater densities of [Tubularia] spp. (e.g. Barra and shallow areas of Rockall, Scotland).
Situation: This biotope is most commonly found beneath the mussel-barnacle zone (unit A1.111) of very exposed shores and above the upper infralittoral [Laminaria hyperborea] forest (  A3.113 or A3.115). It is at the extremely wave-surged sites, such as St Kilda, that A3.113 occurs below A3.1111. Occasionally, the [A. esculenta] zone occurs below a narrow but dense band of red seaweeds: typically [Mastocarpus stellatus] and/or [Palmaria palmata] and [Corallina officinalis] (unit A1.125) or very occasionally [Himanthalia elongata] (A1.123). A dense turf of [C. officinalis] (A1 122) occurs above the [A. esculenta] zone at a few extremely exposed sites, particularly on steep or vertical rock. On less exposed shores, however, an [A. esculenta] dominated zone may lie immediately above a narrow [L. digitata] zone (A3.1112). Unit A3.1111 can also occur on less exposed steep or vertical shores, where wave-surge restricts the growth of [L. digitata] which generally dominates the sublittoral fringe rock on moderately exposed shores. On seasonally unstable boulders or sites subject to disturbance by strong wave-action, a mixed kelp canopy that characterises A3.122 may occur beneath the A3.1111 zone instead of the ubiquitous [L. hyperborea] forest; this is most common on the Shetland isles.
Temporal variation: At very exposed sites, [A. esculenta] may have been so wave-battered during the season as to be reduced to a tattered midrib with no blades, altering the general appearance of the biotope. Where A3.1111 occurs on boulders and/or sites subject to disturbance during severe weather conditions, rock that is scoured clean may then be rapidly colonised by fast-growing green algae such as [Enteromorpha] spp. An assemblage of rapidly colonising species that characterise the disturbed A3.121 biotope may also develop in the sublittoral fringe. A species that can fluctuate in huge numbers at these sites is the starfish [Asterias rubens], sometimes forming dense aggregations across the narrow [A. esculenta] band whilst feeding on the mussels.


hname:
[Alaria esculenta] and [Laminaria digitata] on exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock

description:
Exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock characterised by a mixture of the kelps [Laminaria digitata] and [Alaria esculenta] with an understorey of red seaweeds including [Palmaria palmata] and [Corallina officinalis] with encrusting coralline algal on the rock surface. Anthozoans such as [Halichondria panicea], the mussel [Mytilus edulis] and the barnacle [Semibalanus balanoides] can be found attached in cracks and crevices. The limpets [Patella vulgata] or on southern shores [Patella ulyssiponensis] can be found in their characteristic "scars" grazing the biofilm/algal crusts on the rock surface, while the limpet [Helcion pellucidum] is restricted to grazing the kelp fronds. Colonies of the bryozoan [Electra pilosa] can cover the red seaweeds [Mastocarpus stellatus] and [Chondrus crispus] or the rock surface.
Situation: This unit represents an intermediate on the wave exposure gradient, with pure stands of [A. esculenta] (unit A3.1111) being found on more exposed shores and pure [L. digitata] (unit A3.1112) on more sheltered shores. This biotope usually occurs immediately above a sublittoral [Laminaria hyperborea] forest (units A3.115 or A3.214), although a narrow band of [L. digitata] (A3.1112) may occur between these two zones, particularly on less exposed shores. In southwest England a zone of mixed kelp forest [L. hyperborea] and [Laminaria ochroleuca] may occur below the [A. esculenta] (A3.1153). A number of different biotopes can occur above A3.1112; most commonly these are the mussel-barnacle zone (A1.111), [Himanthalia elongata] (A1.123), a red algal turf or a [Fucus serratus]-red algal mosaic (A1.2141) on the less exposed shores. This biotope also occurs on steep and vertical shores of moderately exposed coasts where a localised increase in wave action restricts the growth of [L. digitata]. As a result of this increased wave action the [L. digitata] plants are usually small and often show signs of damage.
Temporal variation: There may be seasonal changes in the amount of ephemeral seaweeds due to disturbance caused by winter storms.


hname:
[Alaria esculenta] forest with dense anemones and crustose sponges on extremely exposed infralittoral bedrock

description:
This biotope has only been recorded from Rockall, where [Alaria esculenta] appears to replace [Laminaria hyperborea] as the dominant kelp forest species on the extremely wave-exposed steep and vertical rock, a zone that extends from 14 m down to 35 m. Beneath the [A. esculenta] canopy, the rock surface is covered by a dense turf of anthozoans such as [Sagartia elegans], [Phellia gausapata] and [Corynactis viridis], encrusting sponges and coralline algae. The gastropod [Margarites helicinus] can be found grazing on the kelp fronds, whereas the crab [Cancer pagurus] can be found among the kelp stipes. The bryozoan [Tubularia indivisa] also occur, but it does not form such a dense turf as in more shallow waters, while the ascidian [Botryllus leachi] is found encrusting the large brown seaweeds. [Cryptopleura ramosa] is the dominant red seaweed on horizontal surfaces. The kelp [Laminaria digitata] is reported to occur mixed with [A. esculenta] on the nearby Helen's reef.
Situation: Above the  zone with A3.112 (about 5 m to 13 m) [A. esculenta] still dominates, but it resembles more closely the typical sublittoral fringe [A. esculenta] biotope (unit A3.1111), though it has a very dense turf of small hydroids and few foliose algae. Towards the lower part of this [A. esculenta] forest (30 m to 35 m), the density of [A. esculenta] is reduced and the rock surface is characterised by a dense turf of red algae (unit A3.116).


hname:
[Laminaria hyperborea] forest with a faunal cushion (sponges and polyclinids) and foliose red seaweeds on very exposed infralittoral rock

description:
Very exposed and exposed, but wave-surged, upper infralittoral bedrock and massive boulders characterised by a dense forest of the kelp [Laminaria hyperborea] with a high diversity of seaweeds and invertebrates. The shallowest kelp plants are often short or stunted, while deeper plants are taller with heavily epiphytised stipes with foliose red seaweeds such as [Delesseria sanguinea], [Cryptopleura ramosa] or [Plocamium cartilagineum] or even the brown seaweed [Dictyota dichotoma]. Also found on the stipes or on the rock below the canopy are red seaweeds including [Phycodrys rubens], [Kallymenia reniformis], [Callophyllis laciniata, Caryophyllia smithii], and [Corallina officinalis], while encrusting coralline algae can cover any bare patches of rock. At some sites the red seaweeds can be virtually mono-specific, while at other sites show considerable variation containing a dense mixed turf of a large variety of species. The red seaweed [Odonthalia dentata] can be present in the north. The faunal and floral under-storey is generally rich in species due, in part, to the relatively low urchin-grazing pressure in such shallow exposed conditions. The faunal composition of this biotope varies markedly between sites, but commonly occurring are the soft coral [Alcyonium digitatum] and the anthozoans [Sagartia elegans] and [Corynactis viridis]. Sponges form a prominent part of the community with variable amounts of the sponges [Halichondria panicea] and [Pachymatisma johnstonia] and several other species. The crab [Cancer pagurus] and the starfish [Asterias rubens] are normally present in small numbers foraging beneath the canopy, while the sea urchins [Echinus esculentus] and [Urticina felina] graze on the seaweeds. The hydroid Obelia geniculata, the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri and the bryozoan Membranipora membranacea compete for space on the kelp, whereas the bryozoan Electra pilosa also can be found on foliose red seaweeds.
Situation: This kelp forest most commonly occurs beneath a zone of [Alaria] [esculenta] and [Mytilus] [edulis] (unit A3.1111) and may contain small patches of [A. esculenta]. As the force of the wave-surge diminishes with increased depth, density of the faunal turf reduces and the kelp forest or park changes to one characterised by kelp and dense red seaweeds (units A3.1151 or A3.1152). In some areas of Shetland and St Kilda the lower infralittoral zone is characterised by a park of the kelp [Laminaria saccharina] and/or [Saccorhiza polyschides] (A3.122). Where the [L. hyperborea] forest continues to depths of 15 m or greater it may give way to a zone of dense foliose red algae (A3.116 or A3.1161).


hname:
Sparse [Laminaria hyperborea] and dense [Paracentrotus lividus] on exposed infralittoral limestone

description:
This biotope is known from only one location, the Aran Islands, Co. Galway (Ireland). Here, a limestone platform between 3 m and 6 m of depth is dominated by a dense population of the urchin [Paracentrotus lividus], which heavily graze and burrow into the soft limestone. So intense is the grazing pressure that the rock appears completely bare, except for a coralline algal crust and occasional [Laminaria hyperborea] and [Saccorhiza polyschides]. The anthozoans [Sagartia elegans] and [Corynactis viridis] are also present, though at low abundance. The grazed kelp also extends deeper to 20 to 25 m further offshore. (Only one CB record within this biotope).
Situation: This rare biotope has only been recorded from one location and the neighbouring biotopes were not fully surveyed. In deeper water (30-40m) there is unit A4.121.


hname:
[Laminaria hyperborea] with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral rock

description:
Very exposed to exposed infralittoral bedrock or large boulders characterised by the kelp [Laminaria hyperborea], beneath which is a dense turf of foliose red seaweeds. Three variations of this biotope are described: the upper infralittoral kelp forest (unit A3.1151), the kelp park below (unit A3.1152) and a third type of kelp forest, confined to southern England, that is characterised by a mixture of [L. hyperborea] and [Laminaria ochroleuca] (unit A3.1153). The fauna of these biotopes is markedly less abundant than kelp forests in areas of greater wave surge (unit A3.113); sponges, anthozoans and polyclinid ascidians may be present, though never at high abundance. Beneath the under-storey of red seaweeds, the rock surface is generally covered with encrusting coralline algae.


hname:
[Laminaria hyperborea] forest with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed upper infralittoral rock

description:
Very exposed to exposed upper infralittoral bedrock or large boulders characterised by a dense forest of the kelp [Laminaria hyperborea]. On the rock surface beneath the kelp canopy is a dense turf of red foliose seaweeds including [Cryptopleura ramosa], [Plocamium cartilagineum], [Phycodrys rubens] and [Callophyllis laciniata] as well as encrusting coralline algae and the foliose brown seaweed [Dictyota dichotoma]. The red algal turf can be virtually mono-specific, dominated by stands of [P. cartilagineum], [C. ramosa] or [Heterosiphonia plumosa], [Kallymenia reniformis] or in the north, [Odonthalia dentata]. Other sites may contain a dense mixed turf of these and other species. The dense turf is due, in part, to the relatively low grazing pressure from the urchin [Echinus esculentus] in such shallow exposed conditions. The shallowest kelp plants are often short or stunted, while deeper plants are taller and the stipes are heavily epiphytised by red seaweeds such as [Delesseria sanguinea] and [Membranoptera alata]. The bryozoan [Electra pilosa] can form colonies on the foliose red seaweeds, while the bryozoan [Membranipora membranacea] more often can be found on the [L. hyperborea] fronds along with the ascidian [Botryllus schlosseri] and the hydroid [Obelia geniculata]. The gastropods [Gibbula cineraria] and [Calliostoma zizyphinum] are found grazing among the kelp holdfasts, while a few individuals of the barnacle [Balanus crenatus] can present along with the white calcareous tubes of the polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter], where substratum is available. The starfish [Asterias rubens] can be found predating on polychaetes, mussels and small crustaceans. The soft coral [Alcyonium digitatum] can be present covering the rock surface as well as the anthozoan [Urticina felina].
Situation: This kelp forest biotope most commonly occurs beneath a zone of [Alaria esculenta/Mytilus edulis] (unit A3.1111) and above a [L. hyperborea] park (unit A3.1152). At very exposed sites, such as some areas of Shetland and St Kilda, the lower infralittoral zone is often characterised by a park of [Laminaria saccharina] and/or [Saccorhiza polyschides] (A3.122). This zone presumably develops due to the mobility of nearby cobbles, boulders and sediment during winter storms, removing the slower growing [L. hyperborea]. Occasionally, a band of dense foliose seaweeds, with no kelp, occurs below the kelp forest (units A3.116 or A3.1161).


hname:
[Laminaria hyperborea] park with dense foliose red seaweeds on exposed lower infralittoral rock

description:
Very exposed to exposed lower infralittoral bedrock or large boulders characterised by a kelp park of [Laminaria hyperborea] with a dense turf of foliose red seaweeds and encrusting coralline algae. These red seaweeds dominate kelp stipes and bedrock in a similar abundance and composition to the upper infralittoral kelp forest, the most commonly occurring species being [Callophyllis laciniata], [Cryptopleura ramosa], [Plocamium cartilagineum], [Kallymenia reniformis], [Delesseria sanguinea], [Phycodrys rubens], [Hypoglossum hypoglossoides], [Heterosiphonia plumosa] and [Bonnemaisonia asparagoides]. In addition, moderate to high abundance of foliose brown seaweeds, such as [Dictyota dichotoma] are more common than in the kelp forest above. More upper circalittoral fauna occur in the park than in the kelp forest, such as the cup-coral [Caryophyllia smithii]. Some species more often present in the kelp park than the forest include the anthozoan [Alcyonium digitatum] and the featherstar [Antedon bifida]. The urchin [Echinus esculentus], the gastropods [Gibbula cineraria] and [Calliostoma zizyphinum] and the starfish [Asterias rubens] are normally present underneath the canopy along with the anthozoans [Urticina felina] and [Corynactis viridis]. The sponge [Cliona celata] is also present often found boring into shells or soft rock where available. The bryozoan [Membranipora membranacea] can be found on the [L. hyperborea] fronds along with the hydroid [Obelia geniculata] and the ascidian [Botryllus schlosseri]. The polychaete [Pomatoceros] sp. is present on the rock surface.
Situation: This biotope usually occurs below the exposed kelp forests (units A3.113 and A3.1151). At some sites, a dense band of [D. dichotoma] may form a separate zone below (A3.116). Where seasonally unstable cobbles and/or boulders are present adjacent to and/or below the bedrock supporting the [L. hyperborea] unit A3.122 may occur.
Temporal variation: In the late summer both the kelp and the foliose seaweeds can become heavily encrusted with the bryozoan crusts [Electra pilosa] and [Membranipora membranacea]. Temporal variation within the community structure is unknown.


hname:
Mixed [Laminaria hyperborea] and [Laminaria ochroleuca] forest on exposed infralittoral rock

description:
Mixed [Laminaria hyperborea] and [Laminaria ochroleuca] forests on upper infralittoral exposed rock with a dense community of foliose red seaweeds such as [Cryptopleura ramosa], and [Plocamium cartilagineum] as well as small filamentous red seaweeds including [Bonnemaisonia asparagoides, Heterosiphonia plumosa, Pterosiphonia parasitica] and [Brongniartella byssoides]. [L. hyperborea] has a rough stipe which allow dense assemblages of epiphytic red seaweeds to form including the foliose [Callophyllis laciniata], [Delesseria sanguinea] and [Hypoglossum hypoglossoides]. Unlike [L. hyperborea], however, [L. ochroleuca] has a smooth stipe and so it lacks dense assemblages of epiphytic seaweeds [L. ochroleuca] has a smooth stipe. Encrusting coralline algae often cover much of the rock surface along with a few brown seaweeds including [Dictyota dichotoma], [Dictyopteris polypodioides] and [Desmarestia aculeata] present as well. In mixed kelp forest [L. ochroleuca] may predominate with [L. hyperborea] more common at shallower depths. Whilst foliose red seaweeds dominate the upward-facing rock beneath the kelp canopy, much of the fauna is restricted to crevices or vertical faces, possibly due to grazing pressure. Echinoderms are often common in this biotope, in particular the sea urchin [Echinus esculentus] and the starfish [Asterias rubens] and [Marthasterias glacialis]. Verticals are colonised by anthozoans including the anthozoans [Corynactis viridis], [Caryophyllia smithii, Actinothoe sphyrodeta] and [Alcyonium digitatum], while the bryozoan [Membranipora membranacea] colonise the [Laminaria] sp. fronds. This biotope is restricted to the coast of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. [L. ochroleuca] occurs at low abundance in other kelp biotopes (sheltered through to exposed) from Dorset to Lundy Island. In such cases, records should be treated as regional variations of these biotopes. Records should only be assigned to this unit when the canopy is dominated by [L. ochroleuca] alone, or (more usually) by a mixture of both [L. hyperborea] and [L. ochroleuca] (at similar abundance). Both this biotope and unit A3.311 are common on the Brittany and Normandy coasts of France.
Situation: Since [L. ochroleuca] is less tolerant of wave action than [L. hyperborea] this biotope commonly occurs below exposed kelp forests (unit A3.1151). On occasion it is found below [Alaria] [esculenta] in the sublittoral fringe (units A3.1111 or A3.1112). At some sites a band of dense foliose seaweeds, with no kelp, occurs below the kelp forest (A3.116 or A3.1161) whilst at other sites [L. hyperborea] kelp park occurs below (A3.1152).


hname:
Foliose red seaweeds on exposed lower infralittoral rock

description:
A dense turf of foliose red seaweeds on exposed or moderately exposed lower infralittoral rock, generally, at or below the lower limit of the kelp. Most of the red seaweeds are common to the kelp zone above, while the faunal component of the biotope is made up of species that are found either in the kelp zone or the animal-dominated upper circalittoral below. Foliose species commonly present include [Dilsea carnosa], [Hypoglossum hypoglossoides, Schottera nicaeensis], [Cryptopleura ramosa] and [Delesseria sanguinea]. The red seaweed species composition varies considerably; at some sites a single species may dominate (particularly [Plocamium cartilagineum]). Small filamentous red seaweeds can be found here as well. These include species such as [Heterosiphonia plumosa, Brongniartella byssoides]. As well as a varied red seaweed component, this biotope may also contain occasional kelp plants and patches of the brown foliose seaweed [Dictyota dichotoma]. Coralline crusts covers the bedrock beneath the seaweeds. The fauna generally comprises low-encrusting forms such as the tubeworms [Pomatoceros] spp., anthozoans including [Alcyonium digitatum], [Urticina felina] and [Caryophyllia smithii]) and occasional sponge crusts such as [Cliona celata, Esperiopsis fucorum], [Scypha ciliata] and [Dysidea fragilis]. More mobile fauna include the gastropod [Calliostoma zizyphinum], the echinoderms [Echinus esculentus] as well as the starfish [Asterias rubens] and [Marthasterias glacialis] and lastly, the crab [Cancer pagurus]. Bryozoan crusts such as [Electra pilosa] can be found fronds on the foliose red seaweeds while scattered hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina] form colonies on shells, cobbles and available rock. At some sites erect bryozoans [Crisia] spp. and [Bugula] spp. are present. Ascidians such as [Clavelina lepadiformis] and [Clavelina lepadiformis] may also be common. In the north the foliose red seaweed [Callophyllis laciniata] may occur.
Situation: This biotope is generally found at or below the lower limit of the kelp, below either kelp forest or park (units A3.1151 and A3.1152).
Temporal variation: Many of the red seaweeds, which occur in this biotope, have annual fronds, which tend to die back in the autumn and regenerate again in the spring. This produces a seasonal change in the density of the seaweed cover, which is substantially reduced over winter months and reaches its most dense between April to September.


hname:
Foliose red seaweeds with dense [Dictyota dichotoma] and/or [Dictyopteris membranacea] on exposed lower infralittoral rock

description:
A dense turf of foliose red seaweeds mixed with a dense turf of the foliose brown seaweeds [Dictyota dichotoma] and/or [Dictyopteris membranacea] on exposed and moderately exposed lower infralittoral rock, generally at or below the lower limit of the kelp zone. In some areas the lower infralittoral is subject to a moderate amount of scour from nearby sand. [D. dichotoma] is relatively tolerant of such scour and in such areas a zone forms with other sand-tolerant seaweeds. [D. membranacea] is confined to south-western coasts. Typically brown seaweeds dominate the seabed or are at least in equal abundance to the red seaweeds, some of which may also form dense stands such as [Plocamium cartilagineum], [Calliblepharis ciliata, Cryptopleura ramosa, Bonnemaisonia asparagoides], [Heterosiphonia plumosa, Delesseria sanguinea] and [Brongniartella byssoides]. The urchin [Echinus esculentus] can be found grazing the rock surface which can be covered in coralline algae. The anthozoans [Caryophyllia smithii] and [Alcyonium digitatum] are usually present in this biotope along with the tube-building worm [Pomatoceros] sp. which is more common in sand-scoured areas. The starfish [Asterias rubens] and [Henricia] sp. and sponge crusts including [Cliona celata] can also be found here. [D. dichotoma] also occurs in the kelp park, and records should only be assigned to this biotope where kelp such as [Laminaria hyperborea] is sparse or absent and a relatively high density of [D. dichotoma] and/or [D. membranacea] is present.
Situation: This biotope usually occurs at or below the lower limit of kelp [L. hyperborea] (units A3.1152 or A3.214). In south-west England a zone of mixed kelp forest [L. hyperborea] and [Laminaria ochroleuca] may occur above the dense foliose algae (unit A3.1153). Unit A3.1161 marks the lower limit of the lower infralittoral zone.
Temporal variation: Like many of the red seaweeds found in this biotope the dominant brown seaweeds [D. membranacea] and [D. dichotoma] have annual fronds which tend to die back in the autumn and regenerate again in the spring. This produces a seasonal change in the density of the seaweed cover, which is substantially reduced over winter months and reaches its most dense between April and September.


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina] on very sheltered infralittoral rock

description:
Very sheltered infralittoral rock dominated by the kelp [Laminaria saccharina]. Typically very silty and often with few associated seaweeds due to siltation, grazing or shading from the dense kelp canopy. The most commonly occurring red seaweeds are [Delesseria sanguinea], [Phycodrys rubens, Bonnemaisonia hamifera] and coralline crusts. In addition to the kelp the brown seaweed [Chorda filum] and Ectocarpaceae are often present. As well as lacking [Laminaria hyperborea], the A3.313 biotopes have fewer foliose and filamentous red seaweed species by comparison to A3.312 biotopes. A depauperate assemblage of animals is present (by comparison to A3.2141 and A3.2142) predominantly consisting of the encrusting polychaetes [Pomatoceros triqueter], the crabs [Carcinus maenas] and [Pagurus bernhardus] and the ubiquitous gastropod [Gibbula cineraria]. The echinoderms [Antedon bifida], starfish [Asterias rubens], brittlestar [Ophiothrix fragilis] and urchin [Echinus esculentus] occur in low abundance. Ascidians are commonly found in all the A3.313 biotopes, but the large solitary ascidian [Ascidia mentula] are most prolific in very sheltered conditions of [L. saccharina] forests (A3.3132). This biotope is most commonly associated with the sheltered fjordic sealochs of Scotland where sublittoral hard substrata can be found at the sheltered head of the lochs. Similarly the sheltered loughs of Ireland (Lough Hyne, Strangford Lough and Carlingford Lough). It is also found where suitable hard substrata exist in the sheltered inlets of south-west Britain, such as Milford Haven or Plymouth Sound. 4 variants has been described: A mixture of [L. saccharina] and [Laminaria digitata] (A3.3131), dense [L. saccharina] forest in the upper infralittoral (A3.3132), sparse [L. saccharina] in the lower infralittoral (A3.3133) and urchin-grazed (A3.3134).


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina] and [Laminaria digitata] on sheltered sublittoral fringe rock

description:
Sheltered bedrock and boulders in the sublittoral fringe characterised by a mixed canopy of the kelp [Laminaria digitata] (usually in its broad-fronded cape-form) and [Laminaria saccharina] - both species are generally Frequent or greater. Beneath the kelp canopy, the understorey of red seaweeds often includes [Chondrus crispus, Dumontia contorta, Bonnemaisonia hamifera] and [Plocamium cartilagineum]. The surface of the rock is usually covered with encrusting coralline algae as well as non-calcified red crusts and the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter]. The brown seaweeds [Chorda filum], Ectocarpaceae and [Fucus serratus] can be present along with the green seaweeds [Ulva lactuca] and [Enteromorpha intestinalis]. Patches of the sponge [Halichondria panicea] can frequently be found in cracks and crevices. Beneath and between boulders a variety of mobile crustaceans such as [Carcinus maenas], the gastropod [Gibbula cineraria] and the starfish [Asterias rubens] are common.
Situation: Where hard substrata occur on the shore, this biotope will be found below the [F. serratus] zone (units A1.3151, A1.214 or A1.3152 on mixed substrata). With such sheltered shores, the transition between sublittoral fringe and the true sublittoral zone may not be distinct; this biotope therefore extends into the shallow sublittoral kelp forest below (A3.3121, A3.3121 or A3.314).


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina] forest on very sheltered upper infralittoral rock

description:
Sheltered to extremely sheltered sublittoral fringe and infralittoral bedrock, boulders and cobbles characterised by a dense canopy of the kelp [Laminaria saccharina]. In such sheltered conditions, a distinct sublittoral fringe is not always apparent and this biotope can therefore extend from below the [Fucus serratus] zone (A1 315) into the upper infralittoral zone, though there may be a mixed [L. saccharina] and [Laminaria digitata] zone (A3.3131) in between. There is a relatively low species diversity and species density due to a combination of heavy siltation of the habitat and the lack of light penetrating through the dense kelp canopy. Only a few species of red seaweeds are present compared with A3.3131 or A3.312. The most commonly occurring red seaweeds are [Delesseria sanguinea], [Phycodrys rubens], [Bonnemaisonia hamifera] and coralline crusts. Brown seaweeds are also sparse and generally comprise [Chorda filum] and ectocarpoids. At extremely sheltered sites, where there is a heavy silt cover on the rock and the kelp fronds, the sub-flora is reduced to a few specialised species able to tolerate these conditions, such as the cartilaginous seaweeds [Polyides rotundus] and [Chondrus crispus]. Ascidians such as [Clavelina lepadiformis], [Ascidiella aspersa] and [Ascidia mentula] can remain prominent in such conditions, often occurring on steep or vertical rock which is subject to less siltation. The variety of red seaweeds is further reduced where grazers such as the urchin [Echinus esculentus] and the top shell [Gibbula cineraria] are present. The keelworm [Pomatoceros triqueter], the crab [Carcinus maenas] and the hermit crab [Pagurus bernhardus] can be present. Geographical variations: Northern sites: in sheltered sealochs the most conspicuous fauna in these forests are the large solitary ascidians [Ciona intestinalis], [Ascidiella] spp. and [A. mentula] which tend to occur in greater abundance than in the mixed kelp forests (A3.312). In common with mixed forests, echinoderms are consistently present in low abundance: the featherstar [Antedon bifida], common starfish [Asterias rubens], the brittlestar [Ophiothrix fragilis] and the urchin [Echinus esculentus] are typically present. Saddle oysters [Pododesmus patelliformis] and chitons [Tonicella marmorea] can occur in high abundance at some sites. The anthozoan [Anemonia viridis] is often more prevalent at the extremely sheltered sites. The communities of the sheltered voes and sounds of Shetland and Orkney are similar to those present in the mainland sealochs. Southern sites: Sheltered infralittoral rock is not commonly found outside of the fjordic sealochs. In south-west Britain, where sublittoral rock does occur in shallow marine inlets, the waters are more turbid than in the sealochs, generally limiting kelp to the sublittoral fringe zone. Echinoderms are rare or absent from the south-western [L. saccharina] forests. A far greater diversity of red seaweeds is associated with the south-western sites: [Palmaria palmata], [Gracilaria gracilis], [Phyllophora pseudoceranoides], [Cystoclonium purpureum], [Rhodophyllis divaricata], [Ceramium nodulosum] and [Polyneura bonnemaisonii] typically occur.
Situation: Although this biotope may occur below a mixed kelp canopy that occupies the sublittoral fringe (units A3.3131 or A3.2111) at some sites it extends directly into the sublittoral fringe and abuts the [F. serratus] zone (A1 315 or A1.3152 on mixed substrata). Where suitable hard substrata are available, the [L. saccharina] diminishes in abundance (typically Frequent) with increasing depth to form kelp park (A3.3122).


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina] park on very sheltered lower infralittoral rock

description:
Silty bedrock or boulders with a [Laminaria saccharina] park (often the cape-form). Beneath the canopy, the rock is covered by encrusting coralline algae, and the urchin [Echinus esculentus] is often present. Due to the amount of silt cover on the rock and the reduced light intensity beneath the broad-fronded kelp, only a few red seaweeds typically survive, the most common species being [Phycodrys rubens], [Delesseria sanguinea], [Bonnemaisonia] spp. and [Brongniartella byssoides]. The brown seaweeds [Dictyota dichotoma] and [Cutleria multifida] may be present in low abundance. Compared to the kelp forest zone above (A3.3121) both the kelp and other seaweeds are sparse (Occasional). The most conspicuous animals are large solitary ascidians, particularly [Ascidia mentula] and [Ciona intestinalis], together with the smaller [Clavelina lepadiformis]. In general, the faunal component of this biotope is similar to other sheltered kelp biotopes and includes a variety of mobile crustaceans such [Carcinus maenas] and [Pagurus bernhardus], the keelworm [Pomatoceros] spp., terebellid worms, echinoderms [Asterias rubens], [Ophiothrix fragilis] and the featherstar [Antedon bifida]. The hydroid [Kirchenpauria pinnata], although only rare is often found in the kelp park along with the top shell [Gibbula cineraria] and the barnacle [Balanus crenatus].
Situation: [L. saccharina] park can be found below a similar forest (unit A3.3121) where suitable hard substrata exist or on isolated rock exposures surrounded by sediment communities. It may also occur below a zone of mixed [Laminaria hyperborea] and [L. saccharina] forest (A3.312). [L. saccharina] can also form a band below [L. hyperborea] forest (A3.2141) where some shelter from wave-action is afforded with depth ([L. saccharina] is not tolerant of surge), or more likely where [L. hyperborea] has been grazed out (below A3.2143) since [L. saccharina] grows far quicker than [L. hyperborea]. Where such a narrow band occurs it is generally less silted than that found below A3.3121 in much more sheltered conditions. A range of sheltered circalittoral biotopes may occur on any deeper rock below (e.g. units A4.313, A4 311 and A5.623).


hname:
Grazed [Laminaria saccharina] with [Echinus], brittlestars and coralline crusts on sheltered infralittoral rock

description:
Coralline encrusted rock with scattered tufts of red seaweed and a relatively high abundance of grazing echinoderms which typically include the urchin [Echinus esculentus] and/or the brittlestars [Ophiothrix fragilis] or [Ophiocomina nigra]. The rock often looks bare, with few conspicuous species present although [Laminaria saccharina] may occur it is generally in low abundance (Rare or Occasional). The red seaweeds, reduced to small tufts through grazing, include [Phycodrys rubens], [Delesseria sanguinea] and [Brongniartella byssoides] and although these seaweeds also occur in unit A3.3122 they are far less frequent in this biotope. Brown seaweeds, such as [Desmarestia viridis], [Chorda filum] and [Cutleria multifida], may be present. Grazing molluscs, such as [Gibbula cineraria] and can be common. Under-boulder habitats can harbour the crabs Necora puber and [Pagurus bernhardus], terebellid polychaetes and the polychaete [Pomatoceros] spp. with ascidians [Ascidia mentula]. and [Clavelina lepadiformis] on the open rock along with the echinoderm [Asterias rubens] and the hydroids [Kirchenpauria pinnata] and [Obelia dichotoma].
Situation: This biotope generally occurs on rock below a dense kelp forest of [L. saccharina] (unit A3.3121) or mixed kelp (unit A3.3121).
Temporal variation: If the grazing pressure is reduced (i.e. a decrease in the number of grazing echinoderms present) a richer kelp community may develop (units A3.3122 or A3.3122).


hname:
Silted cape-form Laminaria hyperborea on very sheltered infralittoral rock

description:
Cape-form of the kelp [Laminaria hyperborea] on very silted rock, particularly in extremely sheltered sealochs of western Scotland. Below the huge kelp fronds (which often trail onto the seabed) foliose seaweeds form a silted understorey on the rock including [Phycodrys rubens, Delesseria sanguinea, Cryptopleura ramosa] and [Plocamium cartilagineum] as well as coralline crusts. At some sites the filamentous red seaweed [Bonnemaisonia hamifera, Heterosiphonia plumosa] and [Brongniartella byssoides] may carpet the seabed. Ascidians, particularly [Ascidiella aspersa], [Ascidia mentula, Ciona intestinalis] and [Clavelina lepadiformis] thrive well in these conditions. The echinoderms [Antedon bifida, Echinus esculentus] and [Asterias rubens] are often present along with the gastropod [Gibbula cineraria]. An abundant growth of the hydroid [Obelia geniculata] can cover the silted kelp fronds along with the bryozoan [Membranipora membranacea]. The anthozoan [Caryophyllia smithii] can be present among the kelp holdfasts. The tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] can be present on the rock surface along with the crab [Necora puber]. This biotope generally occurs on shallow bedrock or boulder slopes or isolated rocks protruding through muddy sediment.
Situation: This biotope is often present on rocky outcrops surrounded by muddy sediments (such as unit A5.3541). Deeper, nearby rock, beyond the limit of foliose seaweeds, is often dominated by solitary ascidians (unit A4 311).


hname:
[Sargassum muticum] on shallow slightly tide-swept infralittoral mixed substrata

description:
Mixed substrata from the sublittoral fringe to 5m below chart datum dominated by the brown seaweed [Sargassum muticum]. This invasive non-native brown seaweed can form a dense canopy on areas of mixed substrata (typically 0-10% bedrock on 90-100% sandy sediment). The substrate on which this [S. muticum]-dominated community is able to develop is highly variable, but particularly prevalent on broken rock and pebbles anchored in sandy sediment. The pebbles, cobbles and broken bedrock provide a substrate for alga such as the kelp [Laminaria saccharina]. During the spring, [S. muticum] has large quantities of epiphytic ectocarpales and may also support some epifauna e.g. the hydroid [Obelia geniculata] commonly found on kelp. The brown seaweed [Chorda filum], which thrives well on these mixed substrata, is also commonly found with [S. muticum] during the summer months. In Strangford Lough, where this biotope occurs, the amphipod [Dexamine spinosa] has been recorded to dominate the epiphytic fauna (this is known to be commonly found in [Zostera] spp. beds). [S. muticum] is also found on hard, bedrock substrates within [L. saccharina] canopies. [S. muticum] plants on hard substrate area, under a dense [L. saccharina] canopy, are typically smaller and at a much lower density, especially where a lush, under-storey exists with red seaweeds such as [Ceramium nodolosum, Gracilaria gracilis, Chylocladia verticillata, Pterosiphonia plumula] and [Polysiphonia elongata] and the green seaweeds [Cladophora sp., Ulva lactuca] and [Bryopsis plumosa]. The anthozoan [Anemonia viridis] and the crab [Necora puber] can be present. More information is necessary to validate this description.
Situation: Where there is a greater proportion of bedrock or boulders (15-100%) [L. saccharina] will typically dominate the canopy. Areas with pebble cover on a hard substrate are colonised by [S. muticum], but individuals quickly become peripatetic and are lost.


hname:
Kelp in variable salinity on low energy infralittoral rock

description:
Very wave-sheltered bedrock, boulders and cobbles subject to only weak tidal streams in the sublittoral fringe and infralittoral zone, in areas of variable/reduced salinity. This habitat type is characterised by the kelp [Laminaria saccharina] and coralline crusts such as [Lithothamnion glaciale]. Grazers such as the urchins [Psammechinus miliaris] and [Echinus esculentus], and the gastropods [Gibbula cineraria] and [Buccinum undatum] may be present. The tube-dwelling polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter], the ascidians [Ciona intestinalis], [Corella parallelogramma] and [Ascidiella scabra], the barnacle [Balanus crenatus], the starfish [Asterias rubens] and the brittlestar [Ophiothrix fragilis] may also be present. Red algal communities are composed primarily of [Phycodrys rubens]. The crabs [Carcinus maenas] and [Pagurus bernhardus], and the bivalve [Modiolus modiolus] may also be observed.


hname:
[Codium] spp. with red seaweeds and sparse [Laminaria saccharina] on shallow, heavily-silted, very sheltered infralittoral rock

description:
Very shallow, heavily-silted infralittoral rock characterised by dense stands of [Codium] spp., together with silt-tolerant red seaweeds, the green seaweed [Ulva] spp. and often only a sparse covering of the kelp [Laminaria saccharina]. This biotope appears to have a restricted distribution, being known at present only from the sheltered voes of Shetland, some Scottish lagoons and from the harbours of south-west England. These locations suggest the habitat is likely to be subject to reduced salinity conditions (although the habitat data indicate mostly fully marine records). Dense [Codium] spp. can occur at very sheltered sites, on cobbles or boulders, often in dense patches interspersed with filamentous red seaweeds [Bonnemaisonia hamifera], [Antithamnionella spirographidis] and [Ceramium] spp. Where sediment is present the red seaweed [Polyides rotundus] is commonly found along the rock-sediment interface, and the sponge [Dysidea fragilis] often occurs on the rock. Other red seaweeds that may be present include [Chondrus crispus], [Callophyllis laciniata], [Gelidium latifolium], [Corallina officinalis] and coralline crusts. The brown seaweeds [Halidrys siliquosa], [Desmarestia viridis] or [Chorda filum] may be present in high abundance and although kelp [L. saccharina] may occur, it is usually sparse. There are no conspicuous fauna that typify this biotope, though polychaetes such as terebellids and spirorbids may occur. The opisthobranch [Elysia viridis] may be locally abundant on the seaweeds and is known to favour [Codium fragilis] in particular. Large stands of [Codium] sp. (generally Common abundance) are accompanied by red seaweeds such as [G. latifolium], [C. laciniata] and [A. spirographidis] on the rock beneath. Cod has been reported to occur in the shallows of The Fleet, Bembridge Ledges, Pagham Harbour and Jersey (Tittley et al. 1985). In Ireland, species-poor shallow, silted bedrock in the North Water of Mulroy Bay, Co. Donegal, is characterised by [Griffithsia corallinoides] (Common) and [Codium tomentosum] (Frequent) forming a narrow band below the kelp zone (unit A3.3132). Cod has not been described from any other sites in Ireland. If [Codium] spp. is less than Common amongst dense [L. saccharina] and [Chorda filum], it should not be recorded as Cod.
Situation: This biotope occurs on bedrock below a sublittoral fringe of mixed kelp [L. saccharina] and [Laminaria digitata] (unit A3.3131) or below a [L. saccharina] forest (A3.3132) or else on isolated boulders on sediment. It appears to be most frequently found in lagoons. Further information on which species of [Codium] is present and on the associated fauna is required.


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina] and [Psammechinus miliaris] on variable salinity grazed infralittoral rock

description:
Sheltered bedrock, boulders and cobbles, in areas of reduced salinity, with kelp [Laminaria saccharina], and depauperate coralline-encrusted rock supporting few foliose seaweeds but many grazing urchins [Psammechinus miliaris] and [Echinus esculentus]. The coralline crusts are typically [Lithothamnion glaciale], while the brown crusts can be [Pseudolithoderma extensum]. Encrusting polychaetes [Pomatoceros triqueter], resistant to the grazing, are also present on most of the rock. The grazing fauna are a significant component of this biotope; large numbers of [P. miliaris] are typically present, although where absent the brittlestar [Ophiothrix fragilis] may occur. Other grazers prevalent on the rock include the chiton [Tonicella marmorea], the limpet [Tectura testudinalis] and the gastropod [Gibbula cineraria]. A combination of grazing pressure and lowered salinity maintains a low diversity of species in this biotope, with foliose and filamentous seaweeds generally absent or reduced to small tufts by grazing. In stark contrast to the range of seaweeds present in the [L. saccharina] forests (A3.3132) the only red seaweed consistently found in this biotope is [Phycodrys rubens]. The range of fauna is similarly low, with a conspicuous absence of hydroids and bryozoans. Bedrock and boulders provide a firm substrate on which ascidians [Ciona intestinalis] and [Ascidia mentula] and the bivalve [Modiolus modiolus] can attach. The crabs [Pagurus bernhardus] and [Carcinus maenas] can usually be found here, though [Necora puber] typically is absent due to the brackish conditions. The starfish [Asterias rubens] along with the whelk [Buccinum undatum] can be present. The substratum on which this biotope occurs varies from bedrock to boulders or cobbles on sediment. The kelp band is relatively narrow and shallow (upper 5 m) compared to unit A3.3121, although the grazed coralline encrusted rock extends deeper. This depth limit becomes shallower towards the heads of the sealochs. Geographical distribution This biotope is restricted to the west coast of Scotland, usually near the head of fjordic sealochs, which are influenced by freshwater run-off.
Situation: Where circalittoral rock occurs below this biotope, it often supports a brachiopod/anthozoan community (unit A4.314); where mixed substrata occurs below or adjacent, beds of [Modiolus modiolus] are common (units A5.623 or A5.442).
Temporal variation: If the grazing pressure is reduced (i.e. a decrease in the number of grazing echinoderms present) there may be an increase in filamentous and foliose seaweeds although the diversity will remain low compared to full saline sites.


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina] with [Phyllophora] spp. and filamentous green seaweeds on variable or reduced salinity infralittoral rock

description:
Shallow infralittoral bedrock or boulder slopes, in reduced or low salinity conditions, characterised by the kelp [Laminaria saccharina] with dense stands of silted filamentous green seaweeds and red seaweeds [Phyllophora crispa], [Phyllophora pseudoceranoides] and [Phycodrys rubens]. The filamentous green seaweeds e.g. [Chaetomorpha melagonium] and [Cladophora] spp. can form a blanket cover amongst the [L. saccharina] in the upper zone, which is under greater influence of freshwater input. In deeper water the green seaweeds are replaced by red seaweed [Phyllophora] spp. or [Polysiphonia fucoides] which may form a distinct sub-zone in the biotope. Coralline crust can be present. The solitary ascidians [Corella parallelogramma] and [Ascidiella scabra] are often epiphytic on the seaweed (particularly [Phyllophora] spp.) and dominate the animal community along with the starfish [Asterias rubens]. The small ascidian [Dendrodoa grossularia], the barnacle [Balanus crenatus] and the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] occur on the rock surface. More mobile species include the crab [Carcinus maenas], the hermit crab [Pagurus bernhardus] and the whelk [Buccinum undatum]. Bryozoans [Electra pilosa] and [Spirorbis] sp. may cover kelp fronds. The red seaweed [Odonthalia dentata] may be present in the north.
Situation: The ascidians found in this unit may continue onto the circalittoral rock below where dense colonies of anthozoans and brachiopods can also be found (A4.3142). Where tidal streams are increased, sponge and hydroid communities may occur below (A4.252).


hname:
Mediterranean submerged fucoids, green or red seaweeds on full salinity infralittoral rock

description:
This community is characterised by the presence of many photophilic algae covering hard bottoms in exposed areas with normal or high salinity.


hname:
[Balanus crenatus] and [Tubularia indivisa] on extremely tide-swept circalittoral rock

description:
This biotope typically occurs on upward-facing, extremely tide-swept, circalittoral bedrock, boulders and cobbles found in a broad spectrum of wave-exposures. It is characterised by a few species that are capable of maintaining a foothold in strong tides. These species either form a flat, adherent crust in the case of the barnacle [Balanus crenatus], or have strong attachment points and are flexible, bending with the tide, such as the turf of the hydroid [Tubularia indivisa]. Other species able to tolerate these very strong tides, or just situated slightly out of the main force of the current, include the sponge [Halichondria panicea], the robust hydroid [Sertularia argentea] and current-tolerant anemones such as [Sagartia elegans], [Urticina felina] and [Metridium senile]. Mobile species such as the starfish [Asterias rubens], the crab [Cancer pagurus] and the whelk [Nucella lapillus] may also be present.
Situation: This biotope is typically occurs in deep, very tide-swept straights, sounds and narrows with a bedrock/boulder/cobble slope. Kelp forest (unit A3.212) occurs in shallower water.


hname:
[Tubularia indivisa] on tide-swept circalittoral rock

description:
This biotope is typically found on the vertical and upper faces of strongly tide-swept, wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders. It is characterised by a dense carpet of the robust hydroid [Tubularia indivisa]. The barnacle [Balanus crenatus], where present, is recorded as common. The accompanying species in the community are determined by tidal stream strength. On the more sheltered sides of headlands, where tidal streams are accelerated, sponges such as [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Esperiopsis fucorum], [Myxilla incrustans] and [Halichondria panicea] proliferate forming the A4.1121 sub-unit. There may also be a scattered bryozoan turf, formed by criisid bryozoans. However, where tidal streams are slightly reduced, but on more wave-exposed coasts, anthozoans such as [Alcyonium digitatum] become more prominent forming the  biotope A4.1122. Other species recorded in this biotope include the anemones [Sagartia elegans], [Actinothoe sphyrodeta], [Corynactis virdis] and [Urticina felina]. There may be scattered clumps of hydroids such as [Sertularia argentea] and [Nemertesia antennina]. Where `relative shelter' is afforded by the topography of the seabed, the bryozoans [Flustra foliacea], [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and the crab [Cancer pagurus] may be found. More ubiqutous species such as [Asterias rubens] and [Calliostoma zizyphinum] may also be present.


hname:
[Tubularia indivisa] and cushion sponges on tide-swept turbid circalittoral bedrock

description:
This variant is typically found on the vertical and upper faces of strongly tide-swept, exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders. It is commonly associated with areas where turbidity levels are high for much of the year, for example, around Anglesey and the Lleyn Penisula. From afar, this variant appears as a dense carpet of [Tubularia indivisa] covering tide-swept gully walls, floors and boulders. [T. indivisa] is frequently observed growing through sheets of sponges such as [Myxilla incrustans] and [Halichondria panicea] as well as through dense patches of the barnacle [Balanus crenatus] and tubes of the amphipod [Jassa] spp. Several other species of sponge appear to be tolerant of the high turbidity in areas where this variant occurs, many of which are common in other biotopes. These include [Esperiopsis fucorum], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Hemimycale columella], [Dysidea fragilis] and [Clathrina coriacea]. Robust hydroids (other than [T. indivisa]) such as [Nemertesia antennina] and [Sertularia argentea] occur in patches. The anemones [Urticina felina], [Actinothoe sphyrodeta] and [Sagartia elegans] are typically common. A short bryozoan turf consisting of crisiid bryozoans, [Alcyonidium diaphanum], [Bicellariella ciliata], [Bugula turbinata] and [Bugula flabellata] may be present. [Alcyonium digitatum] may occasionally be seen although it doesn't tend to be as dominant as in A4.1122. Individual [Corynactis viridis] may be seen scattered across the gully walls and boulders. The starfish [Henricia oculata] may be seen on boulders and gully floors whilst typical under-boulder fauna includes the crab [Cancer pagurus].
Situation: Above this biotope, [Laminaria] forest (unit A3.115) may be found.


hname:
[Alcyonium digitatum] with dense [Tubularia indivisa] and anemones on strongly tide-swept circalittoral rock

description:
This variant is typically found on exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders in sounds, narrows and around tide-swept promontories in accelerated tidal streams. It is dominated by aggregations of dead man's fingers [Alcyonium digitatum], and dense clumps or continuous cover of the robust hydroid [Tubularia indivisa], particularly on prominent ledges and ridges. Anemones such as [Sagartia elegans], [Urticina felina], [Metridium senile], [Actinothoe sphyrodeta] and [Corynactis virdis] form a prominent component of the community. Occasionally, massive sponges such as [Pachymatisma johnstonia] and [Esperiopsis fucorum] may be present. Encrusting species such as the polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] and the barnacle [Balanus crenatus] may be dotted around the rocks, and the top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinum] may also be observed. Clumps of the bryozoan [Flustra foliacea] are occasionally seen. The starfish [Asterias rubens] may be seen amongst a patchy turf of [Crisia denticulata] and the bryozoan [Alcyonidium diaphanum]. This variant may also be found on tideswept wrecks and other artificial sustratum.
Situation: Above this biotope, it is usual to find well-developed kelp forest in the upper infralittoral, dominated by [Laminaria hyperborea] (unit A3.115). In the lower infralittoral, it is usual to find a tide-swept turf of hydroids and red algae.


hname:
Sponge communities on deep circalittoral rock

description:
This habitat type typically occurs on deep (commonly below 30m depth), wave-exposed circalittoral rock subject to negligible tidal streams. The sponge component of this biotope is the most striking feature, with similar species to the bryozoan and erect sponge habitat type (A4.131) although in this case, the sponges [Phakellia ventilabrum], [Axinella infundibuliformis], [Axinella dissimilis] and [Stelligera stuposa] dominate. Other sponge species frequently found on exposed rocky coasts are also present in low to moderate abundance. These include [Cliona celata], [Polymastia boletiformis], [Haliclona viscosa], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Dysidea fragilis], [Suberites carnosus], [Stelligera rigida], [Hemimycale columella] and [Tethya aurantium]. The cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii] and the anemone [Corynactis virdis] may be locally abundant in some areas, along with the holothurian [Holothuria forskali]. The soft corals [Alcyonium digitatum] and [Alcyonium glomeratum] are frequently observed. The bryozoans [Pentapora foliacea] and [Porella compressa] are also more frequently found in this deep-water habitat type. Bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] are also occasionally recorded. Isolated clumps of large hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Sertularella gayi] may be seen on the tops of boulders and rocky outcrops. Large echinoderms such as [Echinus esculentus], [Luidia ciliaris], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Strichastrella rosea], [Henricia oculata] and [Aslia lefevrei] may also be present. The sea fan [Eunicella verucosa] may be locally common but to a lesser extent than in A4.1311. The top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinum] is often recorded as present.


hname:
[Phakellia ventilabrum] and axinellid sponges on deep, wave-exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This biotope typically occurs on the upper faces of deep (commonly below 30m depth), wave-exposed circalittoral rock subject to negligible tidal streams. Although it occurs in exposed and very exposed conditions, at such depth, the turbulent wave action appears to have a much-attenuated effect on the fauna compared with shallower depths. As the majority of records are from depths between 30-50+ m, slightly deeper than the depths of most surveys, it is possible that this biotope is more widespread than the available dataset indicates. The sponge component of this biotope is the most striking feature, with similar species to the bryozoan and erect sponge biotope complex (unit A4.131) although in this case, the sponges [Phakellia ventilabrum], [Axinella infundibuliformis], [Axinella dissimilis] and [Stelligera stuposa] dominate. Other sponge species frequently found on exposed rocky coasts are also present in low to moderate abundance. These include [Cliona celata], [Polymastia boletiformis], [Haliclona viscosa], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Dysidea fragilis], [Suberites carnosus], [Stelligera rigida], [Hemimycale columella] and [Tethya aurantium]. The cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii] and the anemone [Corynactis virdis] may be locally abundant in some areas, along with the holothurian [Holothuria forskali]. The soft corals [Alcyonium digitatum] and [Alcyonium glomeratum] are frequently observed. The bryozoans [Pentapora foliacea] and [Porella compressa] are also more frequently found in this deep-water biotope. Bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] are also occasionally recorded. Isolated clumps of large hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Sertularella gayi] may be seen on the tops of boulders and rocky outcrops. Large echinoderms such as [Echinus esculentus], [Luidia ciliaris], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Strichastrella rosea], [Henricia oculata] and [Aslia lefevrei] may also be present. The seafan [Eunicella verucosa] may be locally common but to a lesser extent than in unit A4.1311. The top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinum] is often recorded as present.
Situation: Unit A4.2122  probably occurs above unit A4.121 in shallower water where the exposure of the coast ensures that there is more water mixing due to wave action. Deeper down, this effect is attenuated, allowing A4.121 biotope to develop.
Temporal variation: [Axinella dissimilis] tends to grow extremely slowly.


hname:
Mixed faunal turf communities on circalittoral rock

description:
This habitat type occurs on wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders, subject to tidal streams ranging from strong to moderately strong. This complex is characterised by its diverse range of hydroids ([Halecium halecinum], [Nemertesia antennina] and [Nemertesia ramosa]), bryozoans ([Alcyonidium diaphanum], [Flustra foliacea], [Bugula flabellata] and [Bugula plumosa]) and sponges ([Scypha ciliata], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Cliona celeta], [Raspailia ramosa], [Esperiopsis fucorum], [Hemimycale columella] and [Dysidea fragilis]) forming an often dense, mixed faunal turf. Other species found within this complex are [Alcyonium digitatum], [Urticina felina], [Sagartia elegans], [Actinothoe sphyrodeta], [Caryophyllia smithii], [Pomatoceros triqueter], [Balanus crenatus], [Cancer pagurus], [Necora puber], [Asterias rubens], [Echinus esculentus] and [Clavelina lepadiformis].


hname:
Bryozoan turf and erect sponges on tide-swept circalittoral rock

description:
This biotope is typically found on wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock or boulders subject to tidal streams ranging from moderately strong to strong. It often has a thin layer of silt covering the seabed, and is characterised by a bryozoan/hydroid turf with erect sponges. Typical bryozoans to be found include crisiids, [Alcyonidium diaphanum], [Flustra foliacea], [Pentapora foliacea], [Bugula plumosa] and [Bugula flabellata], while typical hydroids include [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Halecium halecinum]. The soft coral [Alcyonium digitatum] is frequently recorded on the tops of boulders and rocky outcrops. Characteristic erect sponges include [Raspailia ramosa], [Stelligera stuposa] and [Stelligera rigida]; other sponges present include [Cliona celata], [Dysidea fragilis], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Polymastia boletiformis], [Hemimycale columella], [Esperiopsis fucorum], [Polymastia mamillaris] and [Tethya aurantium]. Other species present include [Caryophylia smithii], [Actinothoe sphyrodeta], [Corynactis viridis], [Urticina felina], [Balanus crenatus], [Asterias rubens], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Henricia oculata], [Echinus esculentus], [Clavelina lepadiformis], [Calliostoma zizyphinum] and [Necora puber]. Three variants of this biotope have been described, but all are characterised by a bryozoan turf with erect sponges. A4.1311 is found primarily on circalittoral bedrock and is dominated by the seafan [Eunicella verrucosa]. Unit A4.1312 is found under slightly stronger tide-swept conditions, and is characterised particularly by the sponge [D. fragilis] and the anemone [A. sphyrodeta]. Finally unit A4.1313 is characterised by the anemone [Sagartia elegans].


hname:
[Eunicella verrucosa] and [Pentapora foliacea] on wave-exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This variant typically occurs on wave-exposed, steep, circalittoral bedrock, boulder slopes and outcrops, subject to varying tidal streams. This silty variant contains a diverse faunal community, dominated by the seafan [Eunicella verrucosa], the bryozoan [Pentapora foliacea] and the cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii]. There are frequently numerous [Alcyonium digitatum], and these may become locally abundant under more tide-swept conditions. [Alcyonium glomeratum] may also be present. A diverse sponge community is usually present, including numerous erect sponges; species present include [Cliona celata], [Raspailia ramosa], [Raspailia hispida], [Axinella dissimilis], [Stelligera stuposa], [Dysidea fragilis] and [Polymastia boletiformis]. [Homaxinella subdola] may be present in the south west. A hydroid/bryozoan turf may develop in the understorey of this rich sponge assemblage, with species such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa], crisiids, [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and [Bugula plumosa]. The sea cucumber [Holothuria forskali] may be locally abundant, feeding on the silty deposits on the rock surface. Other echinoderms encountered include the starfish [Marthasterias glacialis] and the urchin [Echinus esculentus]. Other fauna includes aggregations of colonial ascidians [Clavelina lepadiformis] and [Stolonica socialis]. Anemones such as [Actinothoe sphyrodeta] and [Parazoanthus axinellae] may be seen dotted across the rock surface. This biotope is present in south west England and Wales.
Situation: This biotope is commonly found on rocky outcrops, surrounded by coarse sediment. This may be in the form of shelly gravel or muddy gravel, supporting [Urticina felina], [Cerianthus lloydi] and [Neopentadactyla mixta]. Above A4.1311, dense kelp forest containing [Saccorhiza polyschides] is usually found.


hname:
Mixed turf of bryozoans and erect sponges with [Dysidia fragilis] and [Actinothoe sphyrodeta] on tide-swept wave-exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This variant typically occurs on exposed and moderately wave-exposed bedrock and boulders subject to a variety of tidal regimes (from strong through to weak). It is found mainly in the 10-20m depth range and does not usually occur deeper than 30 m. It therefore often straddles the upper circalittoral and lower infralittoral. It often has a light covering of silt and sand may be in the vicinity. Sponges form a dominant part of this variant, although cover usually appears patchy, with no single species dominating. Species present include [Dysidea fragilis], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Esperiopsis fucorum], [Hemimycale columella], [Cliona celata], [Stelligera rigida], [Polymastia boletiformis], [Stelligera stuposa], [Raspailia ramosa], [Tethya aurantium], [Polymastia mamillaris] and [Axinella dissimilis]. Tufts of large hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina], frequently recorded on the tops of outcrops and boulders, stand out more clearly than the understorey of finer hydroid and bryozoan turf such as [Aglaophenia pluma], [Bugula flabellata], [Bugula plumosa], crisiids, [Cellaria sinuosa] and [Bugula turbinata]. Other bryozoans such as [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and [Flustra foliacea] are also frequently recorded. Other more widespread species present include [Asterias rubens], [Actinothoe sphyrodeta], [Balanus crenatus], [Caryophyllia smithii], [Corynactis viridis], [Necora puber] and [Clavelina lepadiformis]. This variant has been recorded off the south east coast of Ireland, the welsh coast and Lundy Island.
Situation: This biotope is typically found on exposed coasts, with exposed kelp forest in the infralittoral zone, characterised by species such as [Laminaria hyperborea] and [Saccorhiza polyschides]. The A4.1312 variant is usually found below A4.1311, with similar geographic range.


hname:
Mixed turf of bryozoans and erect sponges with [Sagartia elegans] on tide-swept ciraclittoral rock

description:
This variant is typically found on wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders, on steep slopes and upper faces in moderate tidal streams. This species-rich biotope is characterised by a dense sponge, hydroid and bryozoan turf and frequent [Alcyonium digitatum]. There are frequently large growths of [Cliona celata] and [Pachymatisma johnstonia]. Other species present in this diverse sponge community include [Polymastia boletiformis], [Haliclona viscosa], [Polymastia mamilliaris], [Scypha ciliata], [Hemimycale columella] and [Dysidea fragilis]. Axinellid sponges such as [Stelligera stuposa] and [Raspailia ramosa] may be present in low abundance, and are usually more abundant in deeper water. A dense hydroid turf forms a significant part of this biotope, with tufts of large hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina] and [Nemertesia ramosa] frequently recorded. Other hydroid turf component species include [Halecium halecinum], [Aglaophenia tubulifera] and [Abietinaria abietina]. Anemones are also well represented, with species such as [Urticina felina], [Sagartia elegans] and [Metridium senile] recorded. The cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii] and the anemone [Corynactis viridis] are also frequently seen. The bryozoan turf is composed predominantly of [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and [Flustra foliacea], whilst crustose species such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] contribute to a lesser extent. The delicate [Bugula plumosa] may also be present. There is a significant echinoderm component in this biotope. Species such as the starfish [Asterias rubens], [Henricia oculata], [Marthasterias glacialis] and [Luidia ciliaris], the sea urchin [Echinus esculentus] and the crinoid [Antedon bifida] are all regularly recorded. Other species which may be observed include the top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinium], the colonial ascidian [Clavelina lepadiformis] and the barnacle [Balanus crenatus]. The crab [Cancer pagurus] is typically found under boulders. This variant has been recorded from from various sites including Pembrokeshire, the Calf of Man and the west coast of Ireland.
Situation: Dense kelp forests containing [L. hyperborea] and [S. polyschides] are typically found above A4.1313.


description:
Acidic fens of the mountains and hills forming the basin of the middle and lower Danube system, and of adjacent regions, in particular of the Carpathians, the Dinarides, the mountains of the southeastern Balkan peninsula, the Moravian hills, with an herbaceous sward formed by [Carex echinata], [Carex canescens], [Carex dacica] ([Carex nigra ssp. dacica]) or [Carex rostrata] and sometimes [Juncus effusus], [Juncus acutiflorus] or [Nardus stricta].


hname:
Carpathian black-white-star sedge acidic fens

description:
[Carex dacica] ([Carex nigra ssp. dacica]) formations developed in the eumesotrophic and acidic fens of the subalpine level of the Eastern and Southern Carpathians.


description:
Acidic fen communities of the high mountains of the Dinarides with [Carex nigra], [Carex echinata], [Eriophorum angustifolium], [Agrostis canina], [Molinia caerulea], [Nardus stricta], [Drosera rotundifolia].


description:
Fens of the montane and subalpine levels of the Rhodopide system, including the western Rhodopes and Vitosha.


description:
Acidic fens of Central European affinities of the mountains and hills of the Pannonic basin and its rim.


description:
Fens of the montane and subalpine levels of the western and central Balkan Range, with [Carex nigra], [Carex stellulata], [Deschampsia cespitosa], [Pinguicula vulgaris], [Drosera rotundifolia], [Sphagnum rubellum], [Soldanella alpina], [Dactylorhiza cordigera], [Leucorchis albida].


description:
Fens of the montane and subalpine levels of the Moeso-Macedonian mountains, in particular, of the Waldbergen of west Serbia (Tara, Zeljin, Kopaonic) and of the Ostrozum and Vlasina of east Serbia.


description:
Rare infra-aquatic acidic peat mire communities of the Apennines south to the Sila, with [Carex nigra], [Carex echinata] and [Carex panicea].


hname:
Intricated sedge pozzines (wet depressions surrounding glacial lakes)

description:
Oro-Mediterranean [Carex intricata] ([Carex nigra ssp. intricata])-dominated formations of the Sierra Nevada, Corsica, the Nebrodi and North Africa.


description:
Formations occupying permanently waterlogged peaty soils of glacial depressions and edges of their small lakes, and also waterholes in [Nardus] grasslands, at the oro-Mediterranean level of the Sierra Nevada, dominated by [Carex intricata], with [Carex echinata], [Eleocharis uniglumis], [Viola palustris], [Cerastium cerastoides], [Veronica repens] and Sierra Nevadan endemics [Ranunculus alismoides], [Festuca frigida], [Pinguicula nevadensis], [Leontodon microcephalus].


description:
Peaty swards surrounding waterholes, in particular, glacial lakes, in the subalpine level of Corsica, dominated by [Carex intricata].


description:
Isolated [Carex intricata] stations of Mount San Fratello in the Nebrodi mountains of Sicily.


description:
Acidic fen communities dominated by [Scirpus cespitosus] and/or [Narthecium ossifragum].


description:
[Scirpus cespitosus]-dominated communities of subalpine and alpine fens of the Alps, the Vosges, the Black Forest, the Bohemian Quadrangle, generally installed on somewhat drier ground than the [Caricetum fuscae] and providing the transition between it and the wetter fringe of the [Nardus] grasslands.


hname:
Pyrenean deergrass and bog asphodel acidic fens

description:
[Scirpus cespitosus]-dominated formations of acidic fens of the Pyrenees, often, particularly in the west, rich in [Narthecium ossifragum], and with [Carex frigida].


hname:
Cantabrian deergrass and bog asphodel acidic fens

description:
Subalpine formations of the Cordillera Cantabrica, and, very locally, of the Orensano-Sanabrian mountains and the Cordillera Central, dominated by [Scirpus cespitosus] and [Narthecium ossifragum], usually forming an outer fringe to the [Caricetum carpetani], on somewhat less wet ground. Among companion species are [Carex echinata], [Carex fusca], [Carex binervis], [Drosera rotundifolia], [Erica tetralix].


hname:
Sedge and cottongrass boreoalpine [Sphagnum lindbergii] mires

description:
Mire communities of boreal regions of the Palaearctic domaine, in particular of the subalpine and lower alpine levels of Fennoscandian mountains, with a sphagnum ground layer dominated by [Sphagnum lindbergii] and/or [Sphagnum majus] with a field layer dominated by any of several Cyperaceae, [Carex lasiocarpa], [Carex limosa], [Carex pauciflora], [Carex rariflora], [Carex rostrata], [Carex rotundata], [Carex magellanica] or [Eriophorum angustifolium], occupying sites in slightly inclined or flat fens with nutrient deficient, low pH stagnant waters. Vascular accompanying species may include [Andromeda polifolia], [Rubus chamaemorus], [Carex aquatilis]; the bryophyte cortège includes [Caliergon stramineum], [Drepanocladus exannulatus], [Gymnocolea inflata], [Sphagnum annulatum], [Sphagnum compactum], [Sphagnum cuspidatum], [Sphagnum magellanicum], [Sphagnum papillosum], [Sphagnum riparium], [Sphagnum tenellum].


description:
Annual glasswort ([Salicornia] spp.), seablite ([Suaeda] spp.) and saltwort ([Salsola soda]) formations colonizing periodically inundated muds of inland salt-basins associated with the salt steppes and saltmarshes of the Pannonic Plain (unit E6.21) and its satellite basins. Similar communities restricted to isolated intermontane basins of the southwestern Balkan peninsula, related to both the Pannonic and western Pontic formations, are included in this unit, to parallel the treatment of the steppes and saltmarshes of unit E6.21.


description:
Formations dominated by the reddening [Salicornia prostrata] or [Salicornia simonkaiana] colonizing periodically inundated muds of salt-basins associated with the salt steppes and saltmarshes of the Pannonic Plain.


description:
Formations dominated by [Suaeda pannonica], [Suaeda maritima ssp. prostrata] or [Suaeda maritima ssp. salsa] colonizing periodically inundated muds of salt-basins associated with the salt steppes and saltmarshes of the Pannonic Plain.


description:
Formations of [Salsola soda] colonizing periodically inundated silty, nitrogen-rich muds of the lower levels of salt-basins of the Pannonic Plain.


description:
Annual formations colonizing periodically inundated muds of inland saltmarshes of isolated intermontane basins of the southwestern Balkan peninsula, in particular, of the middle Vardar trough, northwest of the Pelagonian mountains, with [Suaeda maritima].


description:
Annual glasswort ([Salicornia] spp.), seablite ([Suaeda] spp.) and saltwort ([Salsola soda]) formations colonizing periodically inundated muds of the saltmarshes of the western Black Sea coast and adjacent inland waterbodies and of the inland salt-basins associated with the salt steppes and saltmarshes of the western Black Sea plain, west of the Dniestr, of the basin of the lower Danube, and, in very fragmentary form, of the northern Thracian basin of the middle Maritsa and the Tundzha. Typical species include [Salicornia prostrata], [Suaeda maritima], [Bassia hirsuta], [Limonium gmelinii].


description:
Annual glasswort ([Salicornia] spp.), seablite ([Suaeda] spp.) and saltwort ([Salsola] spp.) formations colonizing periodically inundated muds of salt steppes and saltmarshes of the Transvolgan, Kazakh, Kourgan, Ichim, Koulounda, Baraba, Barnaul steppe regions and of saltmarshes of the Caspian Sea, the Aral Sea and other inland waterbodies of the northern Aralo-Caspian, Kura basin, western Kazakh, Dzungarian, Oust-ourt, Kyzyl Koum and Kara Koum middle Asiatic deserts and semideserts.


hname:
Western European continental glasswort beds

description:
Glasswort formations of inland saltmarshes of nemoral middle Europe, in particular of Germany, Poland, France and England (unit D6.1).


hname:
Interior European saltmarsh [Carex divisa] and [Carex distans] beds

description:
Inland saltmarsh formations of central Europe, dominated by [Carex divisa] or [Carex distans], typically c. 40-60 cm high, occurring particularly in the Pannonian lowlands.


hname:
Inland saline or brackish species-poor helophyte beds normally without free-standing water

description:
Terrestrialized stands of tall salt-tolerant helophytes, notably [Phragmites australis] and [Cyperus laevigatus]. These species also grow as emergents and fringing vegetation beside saline water bodies (C3.27).


hname:
Dry halophile common reed ([Phragmites]) beds

description:
Non-inundated [Phragmites australis] beds of the Palaearctic region forming on the shores of saltwater bodies or on other saline soils.


description:
Formations dominated by, or rich in, [Cyperus laevigatus], characteristic, in particular, of saline depressions in the Canary Islands, of thermal waterbodies on Pantelleria, and of damp, often saline, sites, such as lake, marsh and swamp margins, of North Africa. These formations are apparently extinct in the Maltese Islands.


description:
Salt meadows peculiar to the lowest, wettest parts of interior Iberian depressions, dominated by [Puccinellia fasciculata] or [Aeluropus littoralis] in the very lowest areas, or, slightly higher, by [Juncus gerardi]. The higher, drier ground that surrounds them is occupied either by other salt meadow communities that are less differentiated from the coastal communities (units A2.522 and A2.532) or by salt scrubs (unit F6.83).


hname:
Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens

description:
Non-coastal land which is dry or only seasonally wet (with the water table at or above ground level for less than half of the year) with greater than 30% vegetation cover. The vegetation is dominated by grasses and other non-woody plants, including mosses, macrolichens, ferns, sedges and herbs. Includes semiarid steppes with scattered [Artemisia] scrub. Includes successional weedy vegetation and managed grasslands such as recreation fields and lawns. Excludes regularly tilled habitats (I1) dominated by cultivated herbaceous vegetation such as arable fields.


description:
Well-drained or dry lands dominated by grass or herbs, mostly not fertilized and with low productivity. Included are [Artemisia] steppes. Excluded are dry mediterranean lands with shrubs of other genera where the shrub cover exceeds 10%; these are listed as garrigue (F6).


hname:
Inland sand and rock with open vegetation

description:
Open, thermophile vegetation of sands or rock debris in the nemoral zone and locally, in boreal or submediterranean lowland to montane areas of Europe. Included are open grasslands on strongly to slightly calcareous inland sands, and vegetation formed mostly by annuals and succulents or semisucculents on decomposed rock surfaces of edges, ledges or knolls, with calcareous or siliceous soils.


description:
Open lowland and hill rock debris swards of suboceanic, temperate, boreal or sub-Mediterranean, climates of Western Europe and of Central Europe, east, sporadically, to the Baltic countries and the Black Sea, formed mostly by annuals and succulents or semisucculents on decomposed rock surfaces of edges, ledges or knolls, with calcareous or siliceous soils frequently disturbed by erosion or rabbits. Vegetation communities are of [Alysso-Sedion albi] and [Seslerio-Festucion pallentis]. These swards comprise a great variety of distinct and often very local, isolated communities harbouring many characteristic species like [Erophila verna], [Jovibarba globifera ssp. glabrescens], [Poa bulbosa], [Sedum acre], [Sedum album], [Sedum sexangulare], among which are numerous rare forms including both relict and evolutionarily recent taxa. Together with more developed grassland communities of unit E1.29, sometimes E1.21-E1.25, E1.27, or E1.281, very species poor communities of units H3.19 or H3.2B, and lacunar shrub formations of unit F3.1, they constitute the vascular vegetation of middle European inland cliffs and rock outcroppings of unit H3 (namely H3.1B, H3.1C and H3.2E).

title:
Revision of habitat descriptions originating from ILE SAS (2005)


description:
Open lowland and hill rock debris swards of suboceanic, temperate or sub-Mediterranean, climates of Western Europe and Central Europe, dominated by, or rich in, succulent species of genus [Sedum].


description:
Open lowland and hill rock debris swards of suboceanic climates of Western Europe and western and northern Central Europe harbouring often rare and local lowland forms of [Sempervivum] spp. or [Jovibarba] spp.


hname:
Central Pannonic calciphile sand fescue steppes

description:
Extremely dry, open, semidesertic grasslands of the Hungarian Little Alföld and the Slovakian Marchfeld, of the Mezõföld and of the Danube-Tisza interfluve, on calcareous sands, with a 50-60% cover at most, constituted by [Festuca vaginata], [Euphorbia seguierana], [Fumana procumbens], [Viola rupestris], [Alyssum tortuosum], [Minuartia fastigiata], and harbouring numerous rare or endemic taxa, including [Achillea ochroleuca], [Corispermum canescens], [Dianthus serotinus], [Colchicum arenarium], [Astragalus exscapus], [Astragalus varius], [Iris arenaria], [Sedum hillebrandtii], [Linum hirsutum ssp. glabrescens], [Onosma arenaria], [Centaurea arenaria].


hname:
Eastern Pannonic calciphile sand fescue steppes

description:
Open sand steppes of the Carei area of northwestern Romania, in the Nyirseg system of the northeastern Pannonic basin, characteristic of semi-fixed continental sand, dominated by [Festuca vaginata], with [Poa bulbosa], [Poa angustifolia], [Linaria genistifolia], [Draba verna], [Euphorbia seguierana], [Carex stenophylla].


hname:
Southern Pannonic calciphile sand fescue steppes

description:
Open sand steppes of the Deliblat plateau of the Vojvodina, developed on extremely calcareous sands on which the moss [Barbula ruralis] contributes to the formation of carbonate crusts, dominated by [Festuca vaginata] with [Koeleria glauca], [Poa bulbosa], [Alyssum tortuosum], [Alyssum montanum ssp. gmelinii], [Polygonum arenarium], [Centaurea arenaria], [Artemisia campestris]. Representatives of the community irradiate in eastern Serbia to the confines of the Oltenian plain.


description:
Pioneer perennial grasslands of Pannonic sands, slightly less open than the fescue sand steppes, of which they often constitute a development stage towards closed grasslands, dominated by the tall feathergrasses [Stipa capillata], [Stipa borysthenica] that confer to them a multistrata structure.


description:
Open grasslands of acidic sands of the Hungarian Little Alföld and the Slovakian Marchfeld, of the Mezõföld periphery, of the northern Danube-Tisza interfluve, of the Drava basin of Croatia and of the Nyirseg complex of northeastern Hungary and the Carei area of northwestern Romania, formed by an admixture of elements of sub-Atlantic [Corynephorus] swards and of continental, Pannonic, [Festuca vaginata] grasslands, dominated by [Corynephorus canescens], [Festuca vaginata], and with [Minuartia viscosa], [Anchusa officinalis ssp. pustulata], [Filago germanica], [Filago minima], [Cynoglossum hungaricum], [Thymus serpyllum], [Veronica verna], [Jasione montana], [Helichrysum arenarium], [Crepis capillaris], [Equisetum ramosissimum], [Euphorbia seguierana], [Onosma arenaria], [Gypsophila paniculata], [Silene conica], [Koeleria glauca], [Scabiosa argentea] ([Scabiosa ucranica]). They constitute a preferential habitat for the rare and threatened [Pulsatilla hungarica], [Pulsatilla patens] and [Herniaria hirsuta].


description:
Pannonic semiclosed sand steppes dominated by fescues of the [Festuca wagneri] group, and, in the more evolved stages, by [Stipa] spp., intermediate between the [Festuca vaginata] formations of E1.2F2 and the closed [Festuca rupicola] grasslands of E1.2F4, with a species cortège drawn from both the [Festucion vaginatae] and the [Festucion valesiacae].


hname:
Central Pannonic [Festuca wagneri] sand steppes

description:
Semiclosed sand steppes of the Hungarian Plains, developed on calcareous sands with a degree of cover reaching 70-80%, usually in contact with the more open swards of the [Festucetum vaginatae], dominated by the endemic [Festuca javorkae] ([Festuca wagneri] p.), accompanied by a species assemblage constituted partly of elements of the open perennial grasslands, but mainly of the steppic grasslands, with [Poa pratensis ssp. angustifolia], [Centaurea arenaria], [Eryngium campestre], [Galium verum], [Potentilla arenaria], [Verbascum lychnitis], [Silene otites var. pseudotites], [Carex liparocarpos], [Scabiosa ochroleuca].


description:
Semiclosed sand steppes of the Deliblat steppe of the Vojvodina, developed on highly calcareous sands as a transition stage between the [Alysso-Festucetum vaginataea] and the [Chrysopogonetum pannonicum], dominated by the endemic [Festuca wagneri s.s]., with [Festuca rupicola], [Stipa capillata], [Poa bulbosa], [Peucedanum arenarium], [Potentilla cinerea], [Verbascum lychnitis], [Silene otites], [Scabiosa ochroleuca].


description:
Relatively closed, primary or secondary, fescue or feathergrass swards of basophilous, humus- and nutrient-rich, sandy or mixed sand-loessy soils of the Pannonic basin of Hungary, eastern Austria, southern Slovakia and Transylvania, of relatively rare and sporadic occurrence, dominated by [Festuca rupicola], [Stipa joannis], [Stipa pulcherrima], [Carex humilis], [Stipa capillata], [Koeleria macrantha], [Dichanthium ischaemum], or, in some facies, [Chrysopogon gryllus], with [Carex liparocarpos], [Festuca vaginata], [Festuca wagneri] s.l., [Agropyron cristatum ssp. pectinatum], [Achillea ochroleuca], [Astragalus aster], [Astragalus onobrychis], [Astragalus exscapus], [Astragalus austriacus], [Oxytropis pilosa], [Potentilla cinerea], [Potentilla arenaria], [Linum austriacum], [Salvia nemorosa], [Alyssum tortuosum], [Alyssum montanum ssp. gmelinii], [Silene parviflora], [Silene viscosa], [Dianthus giganteiformis ssp. pontederae], [Asperula cynanchica], [Galium glaucum], [Galium verum], [Pulsatilla grandis], [Pulsatilla nigricans], [Lotus corniculatus], [Onosma arenaria ssp. pseudoarenaria], [Euphorbia cyparissias], [Euphorbia nicaeensis ssp. glareosa] ([Euphorbia glareosa], [Euphorbia pannonica]), [Artemisia alba], [Artemisia campestris], [Artemisia laciniata], [Artemisia pancicii], [Thymus glabrescens], [Daphne cneorum], [Cytisus ratisbonensis], [Muscari botryoides], [Muscari comosum], [Iris variegata], [Iris humilis ssp. arenaria], [Colchicum arenarium], [Ophrys sphegodes], [Anacamptis pyramidalis], [Botrychium lunaria].


description:
Fescue pastures of sandy alluvial soils of the Pannonic basin, distributed in the Austrian Seewinkel, the Hungarian plains, the Banat, the Crisana and Transylvania, forming a mosaic with saline pusztas (unit E6.211) and water-edge vegetation to constitute the puszta landscape, formed by [Festuca pseudovina], [Potentilla arenaria], [Cynodon dactylon], [Carex stenophylla] and, in some stands, [Festuca valesiaca], with [Fragaria viridis], [Cerastium semidecandrum], [Euphorbia seguierana], [Eryngium campestre], [Thymus glabrescens], [Poa bulbosa].


description:
Formations dominated by medium or tall perennial tuft-forming grasses or suffrutescents, with lacunar ground cover, together with their associated therophyte communities developed on moving or fixed sands within the range of the Ponto-Sarmatic steppes (unit E1.2D) and the regions of influence of their communities. Most of these formations are associated with inland dune systems and and relate to unit E1.9A and its subdivisions.


description:
Formations dominated by medium or tall perennial tuft-forming grasses or suffrutescents, with lacunar ground cover, together with their associated therophyte communities developed on moving or fixed sands of the Anatolian Plateau, of Transcaucasia, of the Iranian Plateau and of northern Mesopotamia, in the Irano-Anatolian zone of transition between the continental Eurasian steppes and the Mediterranean and southern Palaearctic desert zones. These formations are associated with inland dune systems, see also unit E1.A5.


description:
Meso- and thermo-Mediterranean xerophile, mostly open, short-grass perennial grasslands rich in therophytes; therophyte communities of oligotrophic soils on base-rich, often calcareous substrates e.g. vegetation of the class [Thero-Brachypodietea].


description:
Meso- and thermo-Mediterranean xerophile, short-grass perennial grasslands and therophyte communities of oligotrophic soils on base-rich substrates of Spain, southern France, the large west Mediterranean islands, Italy and Mediterranean North Africa.


description:
Grasslands dominated by [Brachypodium retusum] and with many therophytes and geophytes, often alternating in mosaic fashion with garrigues or occupying their clearings.


description:
Open grasslands of the coussous still covering vast but dwindling expanses of the Crau (southern France) a fossil delta of the Durance, with [Brachypodium retusum], [Stipa capillata], [Dichanthium ischaemum], [Elymus caput-medusae], [Thymus vulgaris], [Bellis sylvestris], [Asphodelus fistulosus], [Euphorbia seguierana], [Linum gallicum], [Salvia multifida], [Bufonia macrosperma]; they support a fauna of exceptional originality.


hname:
Mediterranean annual communities of shallow soils

description:
Spring-blooming, summer-desiccated formations of therophytes developed on base-rich, often calcareous, superficial soils of mesomediterranean and thermo-Mediterranean zones of the Mediterranean basin, with annual grasses such as [Bromus fasciculatus], [Brachypodium distachyon], [Lagurus ovatus], [Stipa capensis], [Parapholis incurva], [Hainardia cylindrica], [Echinaria todaroana], [Desmazeria marina], [Desmazeria sicula], [Desmazeria zwierleinii], [Lamarckia aurea], [Narduroides salzmannii], [Vulpia unilateralis], [Ctenopsis gypsophila], a few perennial grasses (e.g. [Koeleria splendens], [Dactylis hispanica]) and numerous flowering plants, many of them annuals, and a very significant number restricted endemics; among the characteristic species are [Silene tridentata], [Silene neglecta], [Silene sedoides], [Paronychia argentea], [Arenaria capillipes], [Ionopsidium prolongoi], [Erophila verna], [Astragalus sesameus], [Ononis ornithopodioides], [Ononis oligophylla], [Ononis sieberi], [Onobrychis aequidentata], [Trigonella monspeliaca], [Trigonella polyceratia], [Plantago albicans], [Plantago coronopus], [Plantago afra], [Plantago amplexicaulis], [Plantago notata], [Plantago ovata], [Polygala monspeliaca], [Convolvulus lineatus], [Eryngium dichotomum], [Eryngium triquetrum], [Eryngium ilicifolium], [Hedysarum spinosissimum], [Callipeltis cucullaris], [Catananche lutea], [Daucus aureus], [Daucus lopadusanus], [Daucus bocconei], [Nigella arvensis], [Scorzonera laciniata], [Lavatera agrigentina], [Scabiosa parviflora], [Anthemis muricata], [Senecio leucanthemifolius], [Limonium calcarae], [Limonium echioides], [Limonium thouinii], [Campanula fastigiata], [Campanula erinus], [Erodium pulverulentum], [Iberis fontqueri], [Viola demetria], [Arabis verna], [Brassica souliei], [Aster sorrentinii], [Asteriscus aquaticus], [Echium parviflorum], [Bellis annua], [Matricaria aurea], [Linaria reflexa], [Linaria pseudolaxiflora], [Linaria amethystea], [Linaria huteri], [Linaria platycalyx], [Linaria saturejoides], [Linaria clementei], [Filago cossyrensis], [Valantia calva], [Sedum litoreum], [Sedum caeruleum], [Sedum stellatum], [Saxifraga tridactylites], [Hornungia petraea], [Parietaria cretica], [Biscutella lyrata], [Anagallis monelli], [Fedia cornucopiae], [Evax pygmaea], [Jasione penicillata], [Andryala ragusina], [Allium pallens ssp. siciliense], [Allium agrigentinum], [Allium chamaemoly]. Various combinations of the species above enter in the constitution of numerous distinctive, often ephemeral and very local communities restricted to small surfaces among, or in clearings of, other formations. The more widespread pastures dominated by annual grasses are for the most part subnitrophilous and better classified under unit 34.8.


hname:
Western Mediterranean calciphile annual communities

description:
Thermo- meso- and occasionally supra-Mediterranean calciphile formations of spring-blooming, summer-desiccated annual grasses and flowering plants of Mediterranean France, Iberia and Italy.


description:
[Nardus stricta]-dominated grasslands of the subalpine and alpine levels of the Dinaride system.


description:
Grass, sedge, rush, bryophyte and lichen acidophile or acidocline communities of the higher summits of the boreal and arcto-alpine mountains, southwest to the Highlands of Scotland, the Lake District, northern England and northern Wales, submitted to diverse, though generally moderate, levels of snow cover and wind exposure, with resulting affinities to both the fairly chionophilous grasslands of the Alps [Caricetea curvulae] assembled in unit E4.31 and to the snowfield communities of unit E4.11; [Juncus trifidus] and [Carex bigelowii] are often present.


description:
Subalpine thermophile formations on often skeletal soils of the southern Alps, the Pyrenees and, very locally, the Central Massif and the Apennines.


description:
Thermophile, luxuriant, relatively closed grasslands formed by the very tall, bluegrey [Festuca paniculata] ([Festuca spadicea]) on south-facing slopes (adrets) of the upper montane and lower subalpine levels of the Pyrenees, the southern Alps and, locally, the Central Massif and the Abruzzi; characteristic and often abundant accompanying species include [Centaurea uniflora], [Silene nutans], [Trifolium montanum], [Hieracium peleteranum], [Hypochoeris maculata], [Potentilla grandiflora], [Lilium martagon], [Eryngium alpinum], [Luzula pediformis], [Meum athamanticum], [Nigritella nigra], [Helictotrichon parlatorei], [Asphodelus albus], [Iris xiphioides], [Paradisea liliastrum], [Dianthus monspessulanus], [Carduus defloratus]. Many have been traditionally treated as hay meadows and are of extraordinary floristic richness; they are nowadays increasingly abandoned or left to grazing.


description:
Open, thermophile, stripped grasslands organized in ribbons retaining stony, almost bare steps  of the sunny slopes (adrets) of the upper subalpine and lower alpine zones in the Pyrenees, formed by the hard, sharp-pointed, slippery, bright green, tufted [Festuca eskia], sometimes associated with [Carex sempervirens] s.l.


description:
Open, thermophile, stripped grasslands of the  sunny slopes (adrets) of the (mostly) southern Alps and Central Massif, formed by calcifuge species of the hard, sharp-pointed [Festuca varia] group ([Festuca varia], [Festuca scabriculmis]), often associated with [Carex sempervirens] s.l.


description:
Mostly closed [Carex curvula], [Festuca] spp., [Oreochloa] spp. or [Juncus trifidus] grasslands on siliceous soils of the alpine level of the Alps, the Carpathians and the Pyrenees, with very local outposts in the great Hercynian ranges and the Cantabrian Range. [Androsace obtusifolia], [Androsace carnea ssp. laggeri], [Campanula barbata], [Juncus jacquinii], [Juncus trifidus], [Silene exscapa], [Gentiana alpina], [Achillea erba-rotta], [Euphrasia minima], [Luzula lutea], [Luzula spicata], [Luzula hispanica], [Lychnis alpina], [Minuartia recurva], [Minuartia sedoides], [Pedicularis kerneri], [Pedicularis pyrenaica], [Phyteuma globulariifolium], [Phyteuma hemisphaericum], [Potentilla frigida], [Armeria alpina], [Senecio incanus], [Trifolium alpinum], [Veronica bellidioides], [Ranunculus pyrenaeus] are characteristic.


description:
Formations of the Alps, of the Pyrenees and of the Carpathians, to which the dominance of the crooked sedge, [Carex curvula], with twisted leaves whithering early at the tip, gives a highly distinctive texture and yellow-brown hue.


description:
[Carex curvula] formations of the upper and middle alpine levels of the Alps.


description:
[Carex curvula] formations of the upper alpine level of the eastern Pyrenees and of the alpine level of the central and western Pyrenees.


description:
Formations dominated by [Carex curvula] accompanied by [Juncus trifidus], [Oreochloa disticha], [Festuca airoides], [Primula minima] and characterized by regional species [Poa media], [Senecio carpathicus], [Potentilla aurea ssp. chrysocraspeda], of the middle alpine level of the Eastern and Southern Carpathians.


description:
Formations of flats and gentle slopes of the lower alpine level of the Alps, dominated by [Festuca halleri] and [Juncus trifidus], particularly widespread in the southwestern Alps.


description:
[Festuca airoides] ([Festuca supina])-dominated swards of the alpine zone of the eastern Pyrenees, the Northern Carpathians, the Eastern Carpathians and the Sudeten.


description:
Low, fairly dry swards of the alpine zone of the eastern Pyrenees dominated by [Festuca airoides] ([Festuca supina]), with [Carex ericetorum], [Avenula versicolor], [Silene ciliata], [Lychnis alpina], [Arenaria grandiflora], [Jasione humilis], [Hieracium breviscapum] ([Hieracium pumilum]).


description:
Swards of the alpine zone of the Northern and Eastern Carpathians, dominated by [Festuca airoides] ([Festuca supina]), with [Juncus trifidus], [Cerastium alpinum], [Potentilla aurea ssp. chrysocraspeda].


description:
Swards of the alpine zone of the Sudeten dominated by [Festuca airoides] ([Festuca supina]).


description:
Subnival formations of the Pyrenees with [Potentilla frigida], [Erigeron uniflorus], [Carex rupestris] and many cushion plants such as [Saxifraga bryoides], [Saxifraga oppositifolia], [Minuartia sedoides], [Silene acaulis].


description:
Alpine grasslands of the Alps and the Carpathians dominated by [Oreochloa disticha].


hname:
Water column with permanent oxygen stratification and reduced salinity

title:
Report of the Working Group on Marine Habitat Mapping, Galway, Ireland, 3-6 April 2001


description:
A water column which is unmixed or only partially mixed because the depth of the water body is greater than the depth of mixing, and with short residence time, defined as changing diurnally. Salinity is reduced relative to the adjacent fully marine seawater. This habitat type is usually found in deeper coastal water situations and is the result of river inflow or ice melt. Note that some discretion should be used in the interpretation of “adjacent”, for example in the Baltic Sea, “adjacent” fully marine seawater is reached only in the Kattegat. Horizontal gradients give rise to fronts, which are separated at level 4 by the degree of persistence of the stratification.


hname:
Ephemeral fronts in reduced salinity water column


hname:
Seasonal fronts in reduced salinity water column


hname:
Persistent fronts in reduced salinity water column


hname:
Unstratified water column with full salinity

description:
A water column which is unmixed or only partially mixed because the depth of the water body is greater than the depth of mixing. Salinity is the same as that in adjacent seawater. Unstratified water columns have very weak or no horizontal or vertical gradients.


hname:
Euphotic (epipelagic) zone in unstratified full salinity water


hname:
Mesopelagic zone in unstratified full salinity water

description:
Waters situated over the continental slope, the steep descent from the continental shelf to the ocean bottom, an area where upwellings, water mixing or shearing and other anomalies often develop.


hname:
Bathypelagic zone in unstratified full salinity water


hname:
Abyssopelagic zone in unstratified full salinity water

description:
Waters beyond the continental shelf. They occupy the greatest part of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the Mediterranean Sea, the Ligurian Sea, the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, as well as the central part of the Aegean Sea, the Black Sea, the southern Adriatic Sea, the eastern part of the northern North Sea. They are absent from the Baltic Sea.


hname:
Vertically stratified water column with full salinity

description:
A water column which is unmixed or only partially mixed because the depth of the water body is greater than the depth of mixing. Salinity is the same as that in adjacent seawater. This habitat type shows pronounced vertical stratification (e.g. caused by atmospheric temperature). The subtypes are separated at level 4 by the cause and degree of persistence of the gradient – e.g. seasonal temperature gradients or persistent salinity gradients.


hname:
Water column with ephemeral thermal stratification and full salinity


description:
Communities of the margins of Palaearctic lakes, rivers and brooks dominated by the long-introduced thermophile [Acorus calamus].


description:
Usually open communities of the margins of Palaearctic lakes, rivers and brooks dominated by, or rich in, [Butomus umbellatus], characteristic of strongly fluctuating still or slow-flowing base- and mineral-rich waters.


description:
Communities of the margins of Palaearctic lakes, rivers and brooks, often situated at the edges of reedbeds, rich in [Oenanthe aquatica] or [Rorippa amphibia].


description:
Low, often extensive, homogeneous, usually inundated communities of the margins of Palaearctic lakes, rivers and brooks dominated by [Equisetum fluviatile].


description:
Communities of the margins of Palaearctic lakes, rivers and brooks dominated by or rich in the tall umbellifer [Sium latifolium].


description:
Communities of the margins of Palaearctic lakes, rivers and brooks, usually of clear, cold to temperate nutrient-rich water, dominated by [Hippuris vulgaris].


hname:
[Levinsenia gracilis] and [Heteromastus filifirmis] in offshore circalittoral mud and sandy mud

description:
In deep offshore mud and sandy mud a community characterised by the polychaetes [Levinsenia gracilis] and [Heteromastus filiformis] may occur. Other important taxa may include [Paramphinome jeffreysii], [Nephtys hystricis] and [N. incisa], [Spiophanes kroyeri], [Orbinia norvegica], [Terebellides stroemi], [Thyasira gouldi] and [Thyasira equalis]. Burrowing megafauna such as [Calocaris macandreae] may also be found in this biotope. This biotope has been found in the central and northern North Sea. A similar community, dominated by [L. gracilis] but accompanied by [Glycera] spp. (particularly [Glycera rouxii]) and [Monticellina dorsobranchialis], has also been reported from the Irish Sea. This Irish community also contains [Calocaris macandreae], [Mediomastus fragilis], [Tubificoides amplivasatus], [Nephtys incisa], [Ancistrosyllis groenlandica], [Nucula sulcata], [Litocorsa stremma] and [Minuspio] sp. and it is not known at present whether this represents a separate biotope or whether it is a geographic variant of a wider [Levinsenia] biotope.
Situation: This biotope has been found in the central and northern North Sea and may also occur in the Irish Sea


hname:
[Paramphinome jeffreysii], [Thyasira] spp. and [Amphiura filiformis] in offshore circalittoral sandy mud

description:
Deep, offshore cohesive sandy mud communities characterised by the polychaete [Paramphinome jeffreysii], bivalves such as [Thyasira equalis] and [Thyasira gouldi] and the brittlestar [Amphiura filiformis]. Other taxa may include Laonice cirrata, the sea cucumber Labidoplax buski and the polychaetes [Goniada maculata], [Spiophanes kroyeri] and [Aricidea catherinae]. [Amphiura chiajei] may be occasional in this biotope as may [Philine scabra], [Levinsenia gracilis] and [Pholoe inornata]. This biotope along with A5.351, A5.352,  A5.353 and A5.272, may comprise the [Amphiura] dominated components of the 'off-shore muddy sand association' (Jones 1951; Mackie 1990) and the infralittoral etage described by Glemarec (1973).


hname:
[Myrtea spinifera] and polychaetes in offshore circalittoral sandy mud

description:
Deep, offshore habitats with cohesive sandy mud (>20% mud) may support communities characterised by infaunal polychaetes and the bivalve [Myrtea spinifera]. Polychaetes typically include [Chaetozone setosa], [Paramphinome jeffreysii], [Levinsenia gracilis], [Aricidea catherinae] and [Prionospio malmgreni]. The bivalves [Thyasira] spp. and [Abra nitida] may also be found as may seapens, such as [Pennatula phosphorea]. Some examples of the unit A5.353 contain [Myrtea spinifera] (Mackie 1990) in lower numbers but these habitats are generally sandier than those in A5.377.
Situation: This biotope has been recorded in the northern North Sea but may also exist in the Irish Sea.


hname:
Baltic muddy bottoms of the aphotic zone


hname:
Pontic deep circalittoral muds with [Modiolula phaseolina]

description:
Discriminated by the mussel [Modiolula phaseolina].  The habitat is characterised by bulk of dead shells and shelly detritus of the same species, decreasing oxygen concentration and increasing salinity in comparison to coastal habitats. Other specific species are [Amphiura stepanovi] and [Notomastus profundus].  In Bulgarian waters the community  is not present below 100m.


hname:
Pontic deep circalittoral muds with [Terebellides stroemi] and [Amphiura] sp.


hname:
Pontic deep circalittoral muds with [Pachycerianthus solitarius]


hname:
Pontic periazoic white calcareous muds with [Bougainvillia ramosa] and nematodes


hname:
Mediterranean communities of muddy detritic bottoms

description:
This biocenosis develops in areas where a detritus bottom is covered with mud formed by terrigenous deposits from rivers. The sediment is a very muddy sand or sandy mud, or even a rather compacted mud, rich in shell debris or valocanic fragments (scoriae); sedimentation is slow enough to allow the development of sessile epifauna. Gravel, sand and mud are mixed in varying quantities, but mud always predominates.


description:
This facies is exclusive to the muddy detritic biocenosis and is characterised by an unusual community of the brittlestar [Ophiothrix quinquemaculata] ([Ophiuroidea]). This species in some places forms an extremely dense population which is almost 90% ophiuran.


hname:
Mediterranean communities of coastal terrigenous muds

description:
The sediment is always pure mud, more or less clayey, almost always of fluvial origin. Such coarse debris as may be deposited is quickly covered, with the result that no epifauna develops.


hname:
Facies of soft muds with [Turritella tricarinata communis]

description:
This facies is characterised by presence of the gastropod [Turritella tricarinata].


hname:
Facies of sticky muds with [Virgularia mirabilis] and [Pennatula phosphorea]

description:
This facies is characterised by the soft corals [Virgularia mirabilis] and [Pennatula phosphorea] on sticky muddy bottoms.


hname:
Facies of sticky muds with [Alcyonium palmatum] and [Stichopus regalis]

description:
This facies is characterised by the soft coral [Alcyonium palmatum] and the echinoderm [Stichopus regalis] on sticky muddy bottoms.


description:
Sublittoral mixed (heterogeneous) sediments found from the extreme low water mark to deep offshore circalittoral habitats. These habitats incorporate a range of sediments including heterogeneous muddy gravelly sands and also mosaics of cobbles and pebbles embedded in or lying upon sand, gravel or mud. There is a degree of confusion with regard nomenclature within this complex as many habitats could be defined as containing mixed sediments, in part depending on the scale of the survey and the sampling method employed. The BGS trigon can be used to define truly mixed or heterogeneous sites with surficial sediments which are a mixture of mud, gravel and sand. However, another 'form' of mixed sediment includes mosaic habitats such as superficial waves or ribbons of sand on a gravel bed or areas of lag deposits with cobbles/pebbles embedded in sand or mud and these are less well defined and may overlap into other habitat or biological subtypes. These habitats may support a wide range of infauna and epibiota including polychaetes, bivalves, echinoderms, anemones, hydroids and Bryozoa. Mixed sediments with biogenic reefs or macrophyte dominated communities are classified separately in A5.6 and A5.5 respectively.


hname:
Sublittoral mixed sediment in low or reduced salinity

description:
Shallow, muddy mixed sediments in areas of low or reduced, although stable, salinity (may vary annually) with largely ephemeral faunal communities. Characterised infaunally by oligochaetes, including [Heterochaeta costata] and members of the Enchytraeidae, polychaetes such as [Hediste diversicolor], [Polydora ciliata] and [Pygospio elegans],and bivalves such as [Mya arenaria] and the lagoon cockle [Cerastoderma glaucum]. These bivalve species may also form conspicuious members of the epifauna together with more ubiquitous species like the common goby [Pomatoschistus microps].


hname:
Baltic level mixed sediment bottoms of the infralittoral photic zone with little or no macrophyte vegetation


hname:
Central Moesian oriental hornbeam thickets

description:
Tall shrub communities of Serbia, western Bulgaria and the F.Y.R. of Macedonia, dominated by [Carpinus orientalis], with [Fraxinus ornus], [Acer monspessulanum], [Acer hyrcanum], [Sorbus domestica], [Pyrus communis], [Pyrus amygdaliformis], [Coronilla emerus], [Cotinus coggygria], [Colutea arborescens], [Syringa vulgaris], [Cornus mas], [Ligustrum vulgare], [Euonymus verrucosus].


hname:
Peri-Carpathian manna ash oriental hornbeam thickets

description:
Tall shrub communities dominated by [Carpinus orientalis], of the Banat, Muntenia and the Dobrogea, with [Fraxinus ornus], [Cotinus coggygria], [Prunus mahaleb], [Euonymus verrucosus], [Cornus mas], [Quercus pubescens], [Quercus virgiliana], [Rosa canina], [Paeonia peregrina], [Orchis purpurea], [Carex hallerana], [Cruciata laevipes], [Polygonatum odoratum], [Thalictrum minus], [Viola mirabilis], [Teucrium chamaedrys], [Chrysanthemum corymbosum].


hname:
Peri-Carpathian wig tree oriental hornbeam thickets

description:
Tall shrub communities dominated by [Carpinus orientalis], of the Banat and Oltenia, with [Cotinus coggygria], [Prunus spinosa], [Crataegus pentagyna], [Cornus sanguinea], [Rosa arvensis].


description:
Xerothermic tall shrub communities of the middle and eastern Balkan peninsula, widespread in hills and low mountains of the Southern and Eastern Carpathians, the Balkan Range, the Moeso-Macedonian Mountains, the Rhodope Mountains, the Pelagonides, within the zone of [Quercion frainetto], the [Fagion moesiacum], the [Fagion dacicum], and, locally, the [Ostryo-Carpinion], rich in continental Moesian species, dominated by, or with a great abundance of, [Syringa vulgaris]. [Cotinus coggygria], [Rhus coriaria], [Genista lydia], [Cercis siliquastrum], [Coronilla emerus], [Colutea arborescens], [Prunus mahaleb], [Prunus cerasifera], [Prunus cocomilia], [Pyrus amygdaliformis], [Crataegus monogyna], [Crataegus laciniata], [Sorbus domestica], [Rosa sempervirens], [Rosa canina] agg., [Rosa rubiginosa] agg., [Rubus ulmifolius], [Euonymus] spp., [Cornus mas], [Cornus sanguinea], [Ligustrum vulgare], [Clematis vitalba], [Rhamnus saxatilis], [Corylus] spp., [Acer] spp., [Fraxinus ornus], [Carpinus orientalis], [Quercus] spp. may contribute to the shrub layer. [Achillea clypeolata], [Asperula montana], [Asperula tenella], [Asyneuma anthericoides], [Campanula divergens], [Campanula grossekii], [Delphinium fissum], [Dianthus banaticus], [Echinops bannaticus], [Eryngium palmatum], [Ferula heuffelii], [Hypericum rochelii], [Inula candida ssp. aschersoniana], [Jasione dentata], [Piptatherum holciforme] ([Oryzopsis holciformis]), [Paeonia decora], [Salvia ringens], [Scabiosa banatica], [Scutellaria pichleri], [Stachys recta ssp. leucoglossa], [Symphytum ottomanum] are characteristic of the herb layer.


description:
[Syringa vulgaris]-dominated or -rich tall scrub of the Balkan Range and neighbouring regions.


description:
Tall [Syringa vulgaris]-dominated brush of hills and low mountains of the Banat, Oltenia, Muntenia, western Bulgaria and eastern Serbia, in the vicinity of the Iron Gates and the lower Danube.


description:
Varied tall scrub of the [Ostryo-Carpinion aegaeicum] and [Quercion frainetto] zones of northern Greece, southern Bulgaria, the southern F.Y.R. of Macedonia and adjacent regions, with [Rhus coriaria] and/or [Syringa vulgaris], [Cotinus coggygria], [Carpinus orientalis], [Quercus] spp., [Paliurus spina-christi], [Fraxinus ornus], [Acer monspessulanum], [Cercis siliquastrum], [Pistacia terebinthus], [Buxus sempervirens].


description:
Tall scrub of the Moesian region, northeast to the Banat, Oltenia and Transylvania, pioneering on abrupt slopes and in chasms, dominated by [Syringa vulgaris], with [Fraxinus ornus], [Cotinus coggygria], [Acer monspessulanum], [Coronilla emerus], [Ceterach officinarum].


description:
Shrub formations with the Southern and Eastern Carpathian endemic [Syringa josikaea], of the Apuseni mountains, within the zone of the [Fagion dacicum] at the 800 metre level.


description:
[Paliurus spina-christi]-dominated thickets, usually dense and sometimes tall, often monodominated, with a Moesian subcontinental accompanying flora, of the hills of the Balkan Range, the Moeso-Macedonian Mountains, the Rhodope Mountains, and more locally, of the extreme southeastern Dinarides, of the Pelagonides, the Pindus, the Thessalian Mountains.


description:
Southern and eastern Aegean formations with [Crataegus monogyna], [Crataegus azarolus], [Prunus cocomilia], [Prunus webbii], [Prunus prostrata], [Prunus discolor], [Pyrus amygdaliformis], [Rubus ulmifolius], [Rosa sempervirens], [Berberis cretica], [Rhododendron flavum], [Acer sempervirens], [Quercus brachyphylla], [Quercus infectoria].


description:
Deciduous thickets of Cyprus and of the Mediterranean or sub-Mediterranean zones of Asia Minor and the Levant, within the regions of occurrence of eastern white oak woods (unit G1.73), hop-hornbeam mixed oak woods (unit G1.74), Balkano-Anatolian thermophilous oak forests (unit G1.76), Macedonian-oak woodland (unit G1.78) and Mediterranean valonia oak woodland (unit G1.79).


description:
Deciduous thickets of sub-Mediterranean climate enclaves of the Black Sea in southern Crimea and the western Caucasus, within and around the area of occurrence of Euxinian white oak woods (unit G1.738).


description:
Deciduous thickets of the wooded steppe zone of the Pontic and Sarmatic regions and of adjacent areas, including the Thracian steppe zone, within and around the zone of occurrence of easternmost white cinquefoil oak woods (unit G1.7A114), of tartar maple steppe oak woods (unit G1.7A122) and of sub-Euxinian steppe woods (unit G1.7A13).


description:
Neutrophile [Fagus sylvatica] or [Fagus sylvatica]-[Abies alba] forests of the southwestern Central Massif, the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian mountains, and, very locally, the Northern Iberian Range.


description:
Humid montane beech and beech-fir (G4.6) forests on neutral soils with mild humus (mull) of the western Pyrenees, characterized by the vernal bloom of [Scilla lilio-hyacinthus] and [Lathraea clandestina] and by a summer cover rich in ferns ([Athyrium filix-femina], [Gymnocarpium dryopteris], [Asplenium scolopendrium], [Dryopteris] spp., [Polystichum] spp.) and species of the ecological group of [Melica uniflora] and [Galium odoratum]; they are locally represented in the eastern Pyrenees and the Montes Olositanicos.


description:
Neutrophilous mesophile beech forests of the Pyrenees, the Montes Olositanicos and the northern Montes Catalanidicos, less species-rich than the preceding, characterized by the abundance of [Helleborus viridis ssp. occidentalis].


description:
Shrubby formations of the low slopes (0-350 m) of Madeira with [Euphorbia piscatoria], [Globularia salicina], [Phyllis nobla], [Myrtus communis], [Chamaemeles coriacea], [Rubus ulmifolius], [Olea europaea var. maderensis], [Bencomia caudata], [Echium nervosum].


description:
Formations colonizing rocks and volcanic ash deposits in the xerophytic zone of Madeira with [Aeonium glutinosum], [Plantago arborescens ssp. maderensis], [Helichrysum] spp., [Sonchus ustulatus], [Phagnalon] spp., [Tolpis fruticosa], [Sedum brissemoretii], [Davallia canariensis] or [Musschia aurea] and [Aeonium glandulosum].


description:
Formation with Madeiran endemics [Artemisia argentata], [Calendula maderensis], [Andryala glandulosa], [Jasminum odoratissimum] and introduced plants.


description:
Riversides, lakesides, fens and marshy floodplains dominated by woody vegetation less than 5 m high.


description:
Scrub of broad-leaved willows, e.g. [Salix aurita], [Salix cinerea], [Salix pentandra], beside rivers. Scrub of [Alnus] spp. and narrow-leaved willows, e.g. [Salix elaeagnos], where these are less than 5 m tall. Riverside scrub of [Hippophae rhamnoides] and [Myricaria germanica]. Excludes riversides dominated by taller narrow-leaved willows [Salix alba], [Salix purpurea], [Salix viminalis] (G1.1).


description:
Riverside brush of fast, pebbly, summer-high rivers originating in the Alps or other major mountain ranges with similar climate cycle, with [Salix] spp., [Caltha palustris ssp. laeta], [Carduus personata], [Myricaria germanica] and [Hippophae rhamnoides]. Vegetation of the alliance [Salicion eleagno-daphnoidis] prevails mostly in narrow valleys with powerful erosion-accumulating activity.


description:
Low, prostrate [Myricaria germanica] and [Salix] spp., in particular [Salix elaeagnos], [Salix purpurea ssp. gracilis], [Salix daphnoides], [Salix nigricans], formations of low, silty shoals in Alpine and peri-Alpine valleys, with outposts in the Carpathians and the northern Dinarides.


hname:
Pre-Alpine willow and sea-buckthorn brush

description:
Formations of [Salix elaeagnos], [Salix purpurea ssp. gracilis], [Salix daphnoides], [Salix nigricans] and [Hippophae rhamnoides] of higher gravel shoals in Alpine and peri-Alpine valleys, with outposts in and around the Carpathians and the Dinarides.


description:
Brush of fast, fluctuating, stony or gravelly rivers of the boreal mountains, with [Myricaria germanica], [Salix nigricans] ([Salix myrsinifolia]), [Salix phylicifolia], [Salix borealis], [Salix daphnoides], sometimes with [Hippophae rhamnoides], and [Racomitrium canescens].


hname:
Lowland and collinar riverine willow scrub

description:
Linear shrubby willow ([Salix] spp.) formations of river banks in plains, hills and low mountains of the western nemoral, eastern nemoral, boreal, warm-temperate, mediterranean, steppic and cold desert regions of the Palaearctic, extending to the montane level in the mediterranean region, and to the confines of the subtropical deserts.


description:
Willow scrub, often dense, lining water courses of western Eurasian nemoral lowlands and hills, including those of the British Isles, of nemoral Western Europe, north to Denmark and nemoral Scandinavia, south to Euro-Siberian Iberia, of Central Europe, within the range of medio-European, Illyrian, Dacian and Getic deciduous forests, north to the Baltic States, south to the lower and middle courses of rivers of the Alpine, northern Dinaric and Carpathian periphery, of Eastern Europe in the upper basin of the Dniepr system, in particular the basins of the Prypiat, the Berezina, the Dniepr, the Desna, the upper basin of the Don and the Khoper, the upper basin of the Volga system, in particular the basins of the Oka, the Tana, the Volga, the Kama, the Bielaia, with [Salix purpurea ssp. lambertiana], [Salix triandra], [Salix viminalis], [Salix daphnoides var. acutifolia] ([Salix acutifolia]).


hname:
Western Mediterranean purple willow scrub

description:
Willow scrub dominated by [Salix purpurea ssp. lambertiana] and [Salix elaeagnos ssp. angustifolia] of water courses of southern France, Italy and Mediterranean eastern Spain south to the Rio Segura basin; [Salix purpurea] and [Salix triandra] scrubs lining watercourses of mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean northwest Africa, the first extending south to the Anti-Atlas and Saharan Atlas, the second limited to eastern and middle northern Algeria.


description:
Willow-dominated scrub of banks and shoals of rivers of the mediterranean, sub-Mediterranean and Moesian domaines of the Balkan peninsula, south to Greece, with [Salix purpurea], [Salix amplexicaulis], [Salix elaeagnos], [Salix triandra], [Salix viminalis].


description:
Willow scrub, up to 2-3 metres tall, lining water courses of the Pyrenees, the Iberian Range, the Sierra Nevada, formed by [Salix purpurea], [Salix elaeagnos ssp. angustifolia], [Salix triandra].


hname:
Geolittoral wetlands and meadows: reed, rush and sedge stands


hname:
Geolittoral wetlands and meadows: reed, rush and sedge stands: natural stands


hname:
Geolittoral wetlands and meadows: reed, rush and sedge stands: harvested stands


description:
Saltmarshes with more or less closed angiosperm vegetation. Included are grassy salt meadows dominated by [Puccinellia festuciformis] or [Aeluropus littoralis] in the Mediterranean and by [Puccinellia maritima] in northern Europe. Also characteristic are [Glaux maritima], [Halimone portulacoides], [Limonium vulgare], [Plantago maritima].


hname:
Association with [Stypocaulon scoparium] (=[Halopteris scoparia])

description:
This association is characterised by the brown alga [Stypocaulon scoparium], living in pure, sheltered waters with strong luminosity.


hname:
Association with [Trichosolen myura] and [Liagora farinosa]

description:
This association is characterised by the green alga [Trichosolen myura] and the red alga [Liagora farinosa], also called "soft spaghettiweed".


description:
This association is characterised by the brown alga [Cystoseira compressa].


hname:
Association with [Pterocladiella capillacea] and [Ulva laetevirens]

description:
This association is characterised by a vegetation with the red alga [Pteroclediella capillacea] and the green alga [Ulva laetevirens]. It is found in areas with mixed salinity.


description:
This facies is characterised by the high presence of large Hydrozoa (e.g. [Aglaophenia] spp. and [Eudendrium] spp.).


hname:
Pontic facies with large Hydrozoa in the infralittoral (winter aspect)


hname:
Association with [Pterothamnion crispum] and [Compsothamnion thuyoides]

description:
This association is characterised by a mixed vegetation of the red algae [Pterothamnion crispum] and [Compsothamnion thuyoides].


hname:
Submerged fucoids, green or red seaweeds (low salinity infralittoral rock)

description:
Very shallow submerged rocky habitats in lagoons, subject to reduced or permanently low salinity conditions. These particular conditions lead to a variety of seaweed-dominated communities, which include fucoids and green filamentous species. The fucoids, more typical of intertidal habitats, penetrate into the subtidal under the reduced salinity conditions which are not tolerated by kelps.


hname:
Mixed fucoids, [Chorda filum] and green seaweeds on reduced salinity infralittoral rock

description:
Permanently submerged mixed fucoids on rock in lagoons. The main species are the wracks [Fucus serratus] and [Fucus vesiculosus], but the brown seaweeds [Chorda filum], [Ascophyllum nodosum] and Ectocarpaceae can be present as well. Red seaweeds are normally present and include [Mastocarpus stellatus, Polyides rotundus, Chondrus crispus, Ceramium] spp. and coralline crusts. A variety of green seaweeds is also present and include [Enteromorpha] spp., while dense patches of [Cladophora rupestris] may occur on vertical rock faces. The faunal component is restricted to the mussel [Mytilus edulis], the polychaete [Arenicola marina] and the crab [Carcinus maenas]. Opossum shrimps Mysidae can be present as well. The kelp [Laminaria saccharina] is absent, possibly due to the low salinity conditions.
Situation: Nearby rock often supports similar biotopes of submerged fucoids (units A3.342 and A3.344) or where salinity is further reduced unit A3.343 can occur. Slightly deeper rock often supports [Laminaria saccharina] (unit A3.3132), usually surrounded by more extensive areas of sediment. Seagrass beds thrive well in the muddy sediments of the lagoons and often cover large areas. They include both [Ruppia] spp. and [Zostera marina] and some locations in the Outer Hebrides support dense beds of the nationally rare stonewort [Lamprothamnion papulosum] (units A5.5343 and A5.5331). The sublittoral mud, which abuts most of the submerged rock, can become anoxic and covered by a bacterial mat of [Beggiatoa] spp. (unit A5.7211).


hname:
[Ascophyllum nodosum] and epiphytic sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral rock

description:
Dense subtidal stands of [Ascophyllum nodosum], heavily epiphytised by sponges and ascidians in lagoon-like habitats. The wracks [Fucus vesiculosus] and [Fucus serratus] can be present along with the brown seaweed [Chorda filum] and the red seaweed [Polyides rotundus]. The crab [Carcinus maenas] can be present between the [A. nodosum] holdfasts along with the shrimps Mysidae.
Situation: Nearby rock often supports similar biotopes of submerged fucoids and green seaweeds (unit A3.341). Slightly deeper rock often supports [Laminaria saccharina] (unit A3.3132), usually surrounded by more extensive areas of sediment. Seagrass beds thrive well in the muddy sand of these lagoons and often cover large areas. They include both [Ruppia maritima] and [Zostera marina] (units A5.5343 and A5.5331).


hname:
[Polyides rotundus] and/or [Furcellaria lumbricalis] on reduced salinity infralittoral rock

description:
Bedrock and boulders characterised by a dense turf of the red seaweeds [Polyides rotundus] and/or [Furcellaria lumbricalis], often with a dense mat of filamentous brown and green seaweeds including Ectocarpaceae and [Cladophora] spp. Other red seaweeds presents include [Chondrus crispus, Gracilaria gracilis] and coralline crusts as well as the odd brown seaweed [Chorda filum] or [Laminaria] spp. Associated with these seaweeds are a variety of ascidians including [Clavelina lepadiformis, Ascidiella aspersa, Ascidiella scabra] and [Ciona intestinalis] as well as the anemones [Anemonia viridis] and [Actinia equina] and the sponge [Halichondria panicea]. More mobile fauna include the starfish [Asterias rubens], the crab [Carcinus maenas], the hermit crab [Pagurus bernhardus], the opossum shrimps Mysidae and the gastropod [Littorina littorea]. Attached to the rock or cobbles are spirorbid polychaetes and the mussel [Mytilus edulis]. Please notice that part of this diversity is due to large differences between sites.
Situation: Nearby rock (units A3.342 and A3.341) and seagrass [Ruppia maritima] dominating much of the surrounding muddy sediment (unit A5.5343). Mixed sediment supports filamentous green seaweeds e.g. [Cladophora] spp. and [Derbesia marina] on A5.528.


hname:
[Fucus ceranoides] and [Enteromorpha] spp. on low salinity infralittoral rock

description:
Permanently submerged lagoon fringes with dense communities of the wrack [Fucus ceranoides] and the green seaweed [Enteromorpha] spp. There is typically a very limited associated biota due to low salinity conditions, and may include the opossum shrimps Mysidae and the freshwater/brackish gastropod [Potamopyrgus antipodarum].


hname:
[Codium elisabethae], [Halopteris filicina] and coralline crusts on sheltered infralittoral bedrock


hname:
Pontic association of green and red seaweeds [Enteromorpha], [Ulva] spp., [Porphyra] spp. on moderately exposed or sheltered infralittoral rock


hname:
Faunal communities on low energy infralittoral rock

description:
Added by CEH to accommodate level 5 units proposed at Southampton workshop

title:
EUNIS Habitat Classification, February 2002


hname:
Faunal communities on variable or reduced salinity infralittoral rock

description:
Shallow subtidal rocky habitats which support faunal-dominated communities, with seaweed communities only poorly developed or absent. In some sealochs dense mussel [Mytilus edulis] beds (A3.361) develop in tide-swept channels, whilst upper estuarine rocky habitats in the south-west coast rias may support particular brackish-water tolerant faunas (A3.362; A3.363).


description:
Stands of trees cultivated for fruit or flower production, providing permanent tree cover once mature. Extensively cultivated and old orchards are habitats supporting rich flora and fauna.

title:
Revision of habitat descriptions originating from Davies, Moss & Hill, M.O. (2004)


description:
Land planted in broad-leaved winter-deciduous chestnuts ([Castanea]), of sub-Mediterranean affinities.


description:
Land planted in broad-leaved winter-deciduous walnuts ([Juglans]), of temperate affinities.


description:
Land planted in broad-leaved winter-deciduous almond trees.


description:
High-stem orchards of apple, pear, plum, apricot, peach, cherry and other [Rosaceae].


description:
Land planted in deciduous trees, other than those of units G1.D1-G1D4, cultivated for fruit, leaves or flowers.


description:
Temperate forests dominated by broad-leaved sclerophyllous or lauriphyllous evergreen trees, or by palms. They are characteristic of the Mediterranean and warm-temperate humid zones.


description:
Woodland with dominant evergreen arborescent [Quercus], e.g. [Quercus alnifolia], [Quercus coccifera], [Quercus ilex], [Quercus rotundifolia], [Quercus suber].


description:
West-Mediterranean silicicolous forests dominated by [Quercus suber], usually more thermophile and hygrophile than those of unit G2.12.


description:
Mostly meso-Mediterranean [Quercus suber] forests of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, France and northeastern Spain. They are most often degraded to arborescent matorral (unit F5.11).


description:
Formations of crystalline Provence (Maures, Esterel), no longer represented by fully developed, mature stands.


description:
Formations of the lower meso-Mediterranean level of Corsica, developed on deep siliceous soils, mostly of the southeastern part of the island; better preserved than on the continent, they are nevertheless almost never represented by fully developed, extensive forest.


description:
Extensive, widespread and varied forests of Sardinia, extending from sea level to about 900 m in non-calcareous mountains. [Quercus suber] is sometimes associated with [Quercus ilex] or [Quercus pubescens]. These forests include luxuriant, fully developed, mature formations, by far the best-preserved cork-oak forests in the central Mediterranean basin.


description:
Undergound waterbodies, without perceptible flow, which may be permanent or temporary, and may or may not be part of a cave system.


description:
Undergound waterbodies, with perceptible flow, which may be permanent or temporary, and may or may not be part of a cave system.


description:
Artificial underground spaces. They may constitute important substitution habitats for cave-dwelling bats and for significant subterranean invertebrates such as crustaceans, planarians etc.


description:
Accumulations of boulders, stones, rock fragments, pebbles, gravels or finer material, of non-aeolian depositional origin, unvegetated, occupied by lichens or mosses, or colonized by sparse herbs or shrubs. Included are screes and scree slopes produced by slope processes, moraines and drumlins originating from glacial deposition, sandar, eskers and kames resulting from fluvio-glacial deposition, block slopes, block streams and block fields constructed by periglacial depositional processes of downslope mass movement, ancient beach deposits constituted by former coastal constructional processes. Deposits originating from aeolian depositional processes (dunes) or from eruptive volcanic activity are not included; they are included in H5 and H6 respectively. High mountain, boreal and mediterranean unstable screes are colonized by highly specialised plant communities. They or their constituting species may also inhabit moraines and other depositional debris accumulations in the same areas. A very few communities form in lowland areas elsewhere.


description:
Noncalcareous screes of the mountains and uplands of the boreal zone, developed on siliceous substrates including basic to ultrabasic igneous or metamorphic substrates. Included are the screes of northern Europe including Iceland.


description:
Springs rich in calcium, typically due to calcareous tufa formation. Species-rich habitats with high moss cover, high dominance of moss [Cratoneuron commutatum] is typical. The stands belong to alliances [Cratoneurion commutati] and [Lycopodo-Cratoneurion commutati] with typical species [Arabis soyeri], [Saxifraga aizoides], [Viola biflora], [Cochlearia pyrenaica], [Bryum pseudotriquetrum], [Conocephalum conicum], [Eucladium verticillatum] and [Palustriella commutata].


hname:
Petrifying springs with tufa or travertine formations

description:
Communities of calcareous, petrifying springs of the Alps, the pre-Alpine regions and of the middle European Hercynian ranges and their periphery, forming and colonizing large tufa deposits. When active, tufa springs comprise a hydrosere in which the [Cratoneurion] plants, and in particular, [Cratoneuron] spp., are accompanied by fen species such as [Carex lepidocarpa] and [Sesleria caerulea]; the latter may physiognomically dominate both the hydrosere and the adjacent xerosere, developed on fossil tufa deposits, in which it is accompanied by [Brometalia] plants.


description:
Montane formations of [Cytisus scoparius] of the Pyrenees.


description:
[Ulex europaeus] thickets of the Atlantic domaine (including British [Ulex europaeus]-[Rubus fruticosus] scrub p.)


description:
Temperate and mediterranean-montane communities dominated by [Juniperus communis], mostly [Juniperus]-dominated variants of units F3.11, F3.13, F3.22-F3.24. [Calluna vulgaris], [Crataegus] spp., [Pinus sylvestris], [Quercus petraea], [Bromus erectus] and [Festuca rupicola] are also present.


description:
[Juniperus communis] thickets developed on calcareous substrates of middle Europe, in particular, of southern England, southern Germany, southern Belgium, the periphery of the Paris Basin, the Danish, Swedish and eastern Baltic islands, the Estonian mainland, often as colonization facies of medio-European calcareous grasslands of unit E1.


description:
[Juniperus communis] thickets developed on acidic, often sandy, substrates of middle Europe, including inland dunes, often as colonization facies of heaths and related communities, distributed in particular in southern Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, the Paris Basin, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Estonia.


description:
Upland formations of the central highlands of Scotland and of northern England, in which [Juniperus communis] is the most abundant small tree or large shrub, accompanied by ericoids, ferns, grasses, bryophytes and a fairly rich flora of herbaceous dicots.


description:
Collinar and montane communities of sub-Mediterranean levels of southern and southeastern Europe, dominated by [Juniperus communis], mostly [Juniperus]-dominated facies of units F3.22, F3.23 or F3.24, in particular, formations of Bulgaria, Greece and the F.Y.R. of Macedonia, such as the [Juniperus communis]-[Pteridium aquilinum] formations on deep soils of the [Ostryo-Carpinion aegaeicum].


description:
Thickets or brush, often very extensive, composed exclusively or predominantly of [Corylus] spp. In associated units F3.11, F3.13, F3.22-F3.24, [Corylus] is mixed with other species.


hname:
Atlantic and sub-Atlantic hazel thickets

description:
[Corylus avellana]-dominated thickets of the Atlantic and sub-Atlantic zones of middle Europe, a frequent facies of units F3.11 and F3.13, particularly in the most Atlantic areas of the British Isles, the Pyreneo-Cantabrian piedmont and northwestern Iberia.


description:
[Corylus avellana]-dominated thickets of the northern nemoral zone, the boreonemoral zone and the southern boreal zone, in northern England, Denmark, southern Norway, southern Sweden, southern Finland, northern Poland, with a species-rich cortège that allies species of northern affinities with thermophile species; the field layer includes, in England, [Trollius europaeus], [Rubus saxatilis], [Melica nutans], [Geranium sanguineum], [Aquilegia vulgaris], [Convallaria majalis] or, in Scandinavia, [Geranium sylvaticum], [Anemone nemorosa], [Ranunculus ficaria], [Rubus saxatilis], [Hepatica nobilis], [Lathraea squamaria], [Paris quadrifolia], [Viola mirabilis], [Convallaria majalis].


description:
Thickets of the Jura, the pre-Alps, the southern German Hercynian ranges and the inner Alps, dominated by [Corylus avellana], with [Clematis vitalba] and [Cornus sanguinea], of particular bio-historical significance as a possible model of the hazel-dominated communities of the Boreal era.


description:
Thickets or scrub of [Corylus avellana] or [Corylus colurna] of hills and low mountains of the Pannonic basin and its periphery, of the plateaux of southeastern Poland, of the eastern Carpathian system and of the Balkan peninsula, a frequent facies of 31.8B.


description:
Formations of large shrubs colonizing Germano-Baltic fluvioglacial inland dunes. Very rare in central Europe, as developments of the habitat units F4.21 and F4.22.


description:
[Juniperus communis]-rich scrub of Germano-Baltic fluvioglacial inland dunes (unit F3.162).


description:
Thickets other than juniper scrubs in Germano-Baltic fluvioglacial inland dune systems; their composition can be specified by use of codes of unit F3.1.


hname:
Submediterranean deciduous thickets and brushes

description:
Successional and plagioclimax scrub, mostly deciduous, of the submediterranean and supramediterranean zones, but also colonizing cool, moist or disturbed stations of the mediterranean evergreen forest zone. Included are some non-leafy scrub, for example [Cytisus purgans] and [Genista aetnensis].

author:
Hill, M.O., Moss, D. & Davies, C.E.[edited ETC/BD]


hname:
Montane fields of Pyrenean broom ([Cytisus purgans])

description:
[Cytisus purgans]-dominated formations of higher levels (upper montane, subalpine, oro-mediterranean) of southwestern European and North African mountains, often associated with dwarf juniper scrubs (unit F2.23) or hedgehog-heaths (unit F7.4), and physiognomically reminiscent of the latter.


description:
Localized formations of the upper levels of the Cévennes (southern France).


hname:
[Nephtys cirrosa]-dominated littoral fine sand

description:
This biotope occurs mainly on the mid and lower shore on moderately wave-exposed and sheltered coasts, with medium to fine clean sand which remains damp throughout the tidal cycle and contains little organic matter. The sediment is not usually well sorted and may contain a fraction of coarse sand. It is often rippled and typically lacks an anoxic sub-surface layer. The polychaete infauna is dominated by [Nephtys cirrosa], [Magelona mirabilis], [Spio martinensis], [Spiophanes bombyx] and [Paraonis fulgens]. The presence of polychaetes may be seen as coloured burrows running down from the surface of the sediment. Nemertean worms may be present. The amphipods [Pontocrates] spp. and [Bathyporeia] spp., as well as [Cumopsis goodsiri] and the shrimp [Crangon crangon] are typically present. The bivalve [Angulus tenuis] is scarce or absent.
Situation: This unit may be present higher up on the shore than unit A2.2312, or lower down than A2.2232or A2.2221.
Temporal variation: The infaunal community of this biotope may change seasonally, as increased storminess during winter months may reduce sediment stability and the ability of some species to survive. Some species, such as the shrimp [C. crangon] avoid these conditions by seasonal migration to deeper water (Moore, 1991).


description:
Muddy sand or fine sand, often occurring as extensive intertidal flats on open coasts and in marine inlets. The sediment generally remains water-saturated during low water. The habitat may be subject to variable salinity conditions in marine inlets. An anoxic layer may be present below 5 cm of the sediment surface, sometimes seen in the worm casts on the surface. The infauna consists of a diverse range of amphipods, polychaetes, bivalves and gastropods.
Situation: Muddy sand communities are found predominantly on the mid and lower shore, though they may span the entire intertidal. Fine sand or mobile sand communities may be present on the upper shore with muddy sand communities present lower down. In sheltered mid estuarine conditions, muddy sand communities may be present on the upper part of the shore with mid estuarine muddy shore communities (A2.31) lower down.


hname:
[Macoma balthica] and [Arenicola marina] in muddy sand shores

description:
Muddy sand or fine sand, often occurring as extensive intertidal flats both on open coasts and in marine inlets. The sediment is often compacted, with a rippled surface, areas of standing water, and generally remains water-saturated during low water. Scattered stones, cobbles and boulders with attached fucoids may be present. An anoxic layer is usually present within 5cm of the sediment surface and is often visible in worm casts. The habitat may be subject to variable salinity conditions in marine inlets. The species assemblage is characterised by the lugworm [Arenicola marina] and the Baltic tellin [Macoma balthica]. The polychaetes [Scoloplos armiger] and [Pygospio elegans] are typically superabundant and common, respectively. Oligochaetes, probably mainly [Tubificoides benedii] and [T. pseudogaster], may be common, and the cockle [Cerastoderma edule] may be abundant.
Situation: This unit has broad transition areas with units A2.242 and A2.243, which tends to occur lower down on the shore.


hname:
[Cerastoderma edule] and polychaetes in littoral muddy sand

description:
Extensive clean fine sand or muddy sand shores with abundant cockles [Cerastoderma edule]. The community consists of the polychaetes [Eteone longa], [Scoloplos armiger], [Pygospio elegans], [Spio filicornis] and [Capitella capitata], the crustaceans [Bathyporeia sarsi], [Bodotria arenosa arenosa] and [Crangon crangon], the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae], as well as the cockle [C. edule] and the baltic tellin [Macoma balthica]. This biotope carries commercially viable stocks of [C. edule], and it is therefore possible to find areas of this habitat where the infauna may have been changed through recent cockle dredging. Cockle dredging can result in a reduced bivalve abundance and reduced densities of some polychaete species, including [P. elegans] (Moore, 1991). At the outer edges of large flats, there may be a zone between the cockle beds and more exposed sands, where there are fewer cockles and [B. sarsi] is the commoner species.
Situation: The community is found mainly on the mid and lower shore where the sediment is water-saturated most of the time. Where it occurs in muddy sand, this unit has broad transition areas with units A2.241 and the A2.31, and where it occurs on clean sand shores, it may have broad transition areas with A2.7212. Higher on the shore, adjacent to this biotope, BatCare is found, with fewer polychaete and bivalve species due to the drier sediment found on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: A layer of mud with dense spionid polychaetes may build up on cockle beds in sheltered areas, creating a cohesive muddy layer 10-15 cm thick overlying the whole area. This may break up leaving a series of pits and patches with miniature cliffs, giving it an appearance similar to a stony shore when seen from a distance. It should be noted that where it occurs, [Hydrobia ulvae] tends to move a lot and may be highly variable in abundance.


hname:
[Hediste diversicolor], [Macoma balthica] and [Eteone longa] in littoral muddy sand

description:
Fine to very fine muddy sand on the mid shore at the lower extreme of estuaries, and in moderately exposed and sheltered bays and marine inlets, sometimes subject to variable salinity. The infauna is characterised by the polychaetes [Eteone longa], [Hediste diversicolor] (ragworm) and [Pygospio elegans], oligochaetes (mostly [Tubificoides benedii] and [T. pseudogaster]), the crustaceans [Corophium volutator] and [Crangon crangon], the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae] and the baltic tellin [Macoma balthica]. The cockle [Cerastoderma edule] may be abundant, and the sand gaper [Mya arenaria] may be superabundant, though these species are not always present, or may be missed in core samples due to their large size. The polychaetes [Arenicola marina], [Polydora cornuta] and [Capitella capitata], the shrimp [Crangon crangon], and the Mussel [Mytilus edulis] are sometimes present.
Situation: This unit can occur on the mid shore of sheltered, lower estuaries, with the A2.31 communities in muddier sediments on the lower shore. Under moderately exposed conditions in lower estuaries and towards open coasts, it may occur alongside other muddy sand units such as A2.242 or A2.244.
Temporal variation: [Enteromorpha] spp. or [Ulva lactuca] may form mats on the surface of the sediment during the summer months, particularly in areas of freshwater influence and/or where there is nutrient enrichment.


hname:
[Bathyporeia pilosa] and [Corophium arenarium] in littoral muddy sand

description:
Wave-sheltered, mainly upper and mid shore flats of medium to fine sand, often muddy sand. The salinity, although predominantly recorded as variable, probably varies little from fully marine in these broad estuaries. The infauna is characterised by the amphipods [Bathyporeia pilosa], [Corophium arenarium] and [C. volutator], and the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae]. Polychaetes and bivalves are limited in their abundance and variety, though the Baltic tellin [Macoma balthica] may occur. Tidal streams may be strong during spring tides, accounting for the presence of amphipods [B. pilosa] that are more commonly associated with open coast sandflats.
Situation: This biotope is typically found higher up the shore than sandflats with the cockle [Cerastoderma edule] (unit A2.242) in the large sandy estuaries of the west coast of England and Wales. In moderately exposed conditions,  can occur on the mid shore below units A2.211and/or A2.221. In more sheltered conditions,  may occur above unit A2.311.


description:
This biotope usually occurs on flats of medium fine sand and muddy sand, most often on the lower shore but sometimes also on waterlogged mid shores. The sand may contain a proportion of shell fragments or gravel. Lan can also occur on the lower part of predominantly rocky or boulder shores, where patches of sand or muddy sand occur between scattered boulders, cobbles and pebbles. Conditions may be tide-swept, and the sediment may be mobile, but the biotope usually occurs in areas sheltered from strong wave action. The sediment supports dense populations of the sand mason [Lanice conchilega]. Other polychaetes present are tolerant of sand scour or mobility of the sediment surface layers and include the polychaetes [Anaitides mucosa], [Eumida sanguinea], [Nephtys hombergii], [Scoloplos armiger], [Aricidea minuta], [Tharyx] spp. and [Pygospio elegans]. The mud shrimp [Corophium arenarium] and the cockle [Cerastoderma edule] may be abundant. The baltic tellin [Macoma balthica] may be present. On boulder shores, and where pebbles and cobbles are mixed in with lower shore tide-swept sand with dense [L. conchilega] between the cobbles, the infaunal component is rarely sampled. The infaunal community under these circumstances, provided that the cobbles are not packed very close together, is likely to be similar to that in areas without the coarse material.
Situation:This unit occurs mainly on the mid and lower shore of moderately exposed sand and muddy sand flats. Higher on the shore, other sand and muddy sand biotopes may be present, such as units A2.221 and A2.223 on the upper shore and the A2.231 communities on the mid shore. Unit A2.211 may occur where driftlines of wracks and other debris accumulate. Where Lan occurs on areas of scattered boulders and cobbles on the lower shore, there may be broad transition areas with A2.711 and other boulder shore biotopes.
Temporal variation: Where [Lanice conchilega] becomes very abundant, especially on the low shore, this can lead to the build up of sediment mounds around their tubes, thus leading to a significant alteration in the surface appearance of the biotope.


hname:
Mediterranean and Pontic communities of mediolittoral sands

description:
Mediolittoral sands are characterised by the annelids [Ophelia radiata] and [Nerine cirratulus], the isopod crustacean [Eurydice affinis] and the pelecypod mollusc [Mesodesma corneum]. Coarse sands encourage the settlement of [Ophelia radiata], and fine sands that of [Nerine cirratulus], while [Mesodesma corneum] often avoids calcareous sands.


description:
This facies of the mediolittoral sands is characterised by the abundance of the annelid polychaete [Ophelia bicornis]. In the Black Sea this facies is characterised by the predominant presence of [Ophelia bicornis] and a minor amount of [Donacilla cornea] and other amphipods present in mediolittoral coarse sands.


hname:
Strictly Pontic communities of mediolittoral sands


hname:
[Donacilla cornea] in medium-coarse mediolittoral sands

description:
This facies is characterised by the predominance of Donacilla with respect to Ophelia bicornis and more medium grained sand with respect to the Ophelia bicornis facies.


hname:
[Pontogammarus maeoticus] in fine mediolittoral sands

description:
A mediolittoral sand facies found in proximity of the Danube delta and extending until Tendrovska Bay.


description:
Shores of fine particulate sediment, mostly in the silt and clay fraction (particle size less than 0.063 mm in diameter), though sandy mud may contain up to 40% sand (mostly very fine and fine sand). Littoral mud typically forms extensive mudflats, though dry compacted mud can form steep and even vertical structures, particularly at the top of the shore adjacent to saltmarshes. Little oxygen penetrates these cohesive sediments, and an anoxic layer is often present within millimetres of the sediment surface. Littoral mud can support communities characterised by polychaetes, bivalves and oligochaetes. Most muddy shores are subject to some freshwater influence, as most of them occur along the shores of estuaries. Mudflats on sheltered lower estuarine shores can support a rich infauna, whereas muddy shores at the extreme upper end of estuaries and which are subject to very low salinity often support very little infauna.
Situation: Muddy shores are principally found along the shores of estuaries where there is enough shelter from wave action to allow fine sediment to settle. Muddy shores may also be present in sheltered inlets, straits and embayments which are not part of major estuarine systems.
Temporal variation: [Enteromorpha] spp. and [Ulva lactuca] may form mats on the surface of the mud during the summer months, particularly in areas of nutrient enrichment or where there is significant freshwater influence.


hname:
Polychaete/bivalve-dominated mid estuarine mud shores

description:
Mid estuarine shores of fine sediment, mostly in the silt and clay fraction (particle size less than 0.063 mm in diameter), though sandy mud may contain up to 40% sand (mostly very fine and fine sand). Littoral mud typically forms extensive mudflats, though dry compacted mud can form steep and even vertical structures, particularly at the top of the shore adjacent to saltmarshes. Little oxygen penetrates these cohesive sediments, and an anoxic layer is often present within millimetres of the sediment surface. Most mid estuarine muddy shores are subject to some freshwater influence, though at some locations more or less fully marine conditions may prevail. Mid estuarine muds support rich communities characterised by polychaetes, bivalves and oligochaetes.
Situation: Principally along mid estuarine shores. The mid estuarine communities may also be present in sheltered inlets, straits and embayments which are not part of major estuarine systems, though usually there is some freshwater influence.
Temporal variation: [Enteromorpha] spp. and [Ulva lactuca] may form mats on the surface of the mud during the summer months, particularly in areas of nutrient enrichment or where there is significant freshwater influence.


hname:
[Nephtys hombergii], [Macoma balthica] and [Streblospio shrubsolii] in littoral sandy mud

description:
Soft mud with a fine sand fraction, in variable salinity conditions, typically close to the head of estuaries. The infauna is dominated by the polychaete worm [Streblospio shrubsolii], the polychaete [Nephtys hombergii], oligochaetes of the genus [Tubificoides], and the Baltic tellin [Macoma balthica]. The ragworm [Hediste diversicolor] and the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae] are often common or abundant.
Situation: This unit occurs in mid estuary conditions, usually on the low shore. Units A2.323 and A2.3223 may occur higher up the shore, as well as further towards the upper estuary.
Temporal variation: [Enteromorpha] spp. and [Ulva lactuca] may form mats on the surface of the mud during the summer months, particularly in areas of nutrient enrichment.


description:
Communities of the lower and middle schorre of the shores of the Atlantic ocean and connected seas with an overwhelming dominance of [Puccinellia maritima], often in almost monospecific stands forming bright green lawns characteristic, in particular, of pioneer stages of the lowest levels and of intensely grazed areas.


description:
Communities of the lower part of the coastal saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas codominated by [Puccinellia maritima] and other physiognomically important species.


description:
Communities of the lower part of the coastal saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas codominated by [Puccinellia maritima] and [Halimione portulacoides].


description:
Communities of the lower part of the coastal saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas codominated by [Puccinellia maritima] and [Aster tripolium].


description:
Communities of the lower part of the coastal saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas codominated by [Puccinellia maritima], annual [Salicornia] spp. and [Suaeda maritima].


description:
Formations dominated by the rare, threatened [Halimione pedunculata], developing very locally in the [Puccinellion maritimae] of Denmark, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, extinct in the British Isles.


description:
Species-poor salt meadows restricted to the shores of northern Norway and southwestern Iceland in the vicinity of the Reykjanes peninsula, codominated by [Puccinellia maritima] and the brown alga [Pelvetia canaliculata], accompanied by [Agrostis stolonifera].


description:
Salt meadows of Iceland and northern Norway, mostly of the lower shore, dominated by [Puccinellia maritima], with [Catabrosa aquatica], [Carex mackenziei], [Carex subspathacea], [Stellaria crassifolia], [Glaux maritima], [Gentianella detonsa].


description:
Communities of the lower part of the coastal saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas codominated by [Puccinellia maritima] and [Glaux maritima].


description:
Communities of the lower part of the coastal saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas codominated by [Puccinellia maritima] and [Plantago maritima].


description:
Communities of the lower part of the coastal saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas codominated by [Puccinellia maritima] and [Limonium vulgare], characteristic of undrained depressions on lightly grazed salt meadows of the Netherlands and the British Isles.


description:
Dense formations of perennial halophile grasses, in particular, [Puccinellia festuciformis] ([Puccinellia palustris]) or [Aeluropus littoralis], of Mediterranean coasts and their coastal lagoons.


description:
Species-poor communities of the lower shores of arctic Eurasia and Greenland, submitted to winter sea ice.


hname:
Sub-communities of [Puccinellia maritima] saltmarsh with [Limonium vulgare] and [Armeria maritima]; [P. maritima] with [Glaux maritima] co-dominant in species-poor vegetation; [Puccinellia maritima] with [Plantago maritima] and/or [Armeria maritima]


hname:
Annual [Salicornia], [Suaeda] and [Puccinellia maritima] low-mid saltmarshes


description:
Saltmarshes at the lowest level of non-aquatic angiosperms; vegetation open and very species-poor, typically with [Salicornia] spp. or [Spartina] spp., less often with [Arthrocnemum] spp., [Aster tripolium], [Sagina maritima], [Salsola kali] or [Suaeda] spp.


hname:
Association with [Cystoseira amentacea] (var. [amentacea], var. [stricta], var. [spicata])

description:
This association is characterised by the brown alga [Cystoseira amentacea], [Cystoseira amentacea var. stricta] and [Cystoseira amentacea var. spicata], living in pure, rough waters with strong luminosity.


description:
This facies is characterised by an high presence of vermetids building a continous belt called a "trottoir".


hname:
Mediterranean and Pontic facies with [Mytilus galloprovincialis]

description:
This facies characterised by the dominance of the mollusc bivalve [Mytilus galloprovincialis] is typical of areas with high levels of organic input.  In the Black Sea this habitat is distributed across wide areas, in the mediolittoral as well as into the infralittoral, from the spray zone to 55 m, where the dominant species is the bivalve mollusc [Mytilus galloprovincialis], the most widespread mussel in the Black Sea  (Zaitsev and Aleksandrov, 1998).  The biocenosis consists of 105 animal species (Zaitsev and Alexandrov 1998) of which the most characteristic  are: Polychaeta - [Nereis (Neanthes) succinea], [Nereis diversicolor], [Polydora ciliata limicola]; Mollusca - [Mytilus galloprovincialis], [Mytilaster lineatus]; Crustacea - [Balanus improvisus], [Jaera sarsi], [Stenothoe monoculoides], [Marinogammarus olivii], [Melita palmate], [Microdeutopus gryllotalpa], [Amphitoe viallanti], [Jassia ocia], [Erichthonius difformis] (Alexandrov, 2006). On the NW shelf the  mass species  are:  [Mya arenaria], [Balanus improvisus], [Nereis succinea], [Prionopsio cirrifera].  On the Crimean shelf the mass species are:the mollusc, [Modiolus adriaticus], and the polychaete [Terebellides stroemi]. Along the Turkish coasts, the most encountered amphipod species are:  [Jassa marmorata], [Hylae crassipes], [Ampithoe ramondi], [Corophium acherisicum], [Corophium acutum] (Sezgin et al., 2001).   Ephemeral algae may cover Mytilus.


hname:
Association with [Corallina elongata] and [Herposiphonia secunda]

description:
This association with the red algae [Corallina elongata] and [Herposiphonia secunda] is typical of the upper infralittoral with strong wave action and strong luminosity.


hname:
Mediterranean and Pontic association with [Corallina officinalis]

description:
This association with the red alga [Corallina officinalis] is typical in the upper horizon of the infralittoral in areas with strong luminosity and sheltered waters.


description:
This association is characterised by the red alga [Schottera nicaeensis] living in pure, rough waters with strong luminosity.


hname:
Pontic facies with [Petricola lithophaga] in very exposed vertical rock


hname:
Pontic [Vermiliopsis infundibulum] bioegnic rocks


hname:
Frondose algal communities (other than kelp)


hname:
[Cystoseira] spp. on exposed infralittoral bedrock and boulders


hname:
Pontic [Ulva rigida] communities on exposed infralittoral bedrock and boulders


hname:
Pontic [Gelidium latifolium] communities on exposed infralittoral bedrock and boulders


hname:
Atlantic and Mediterranean moderate energy infralittoral rock

description:
Predominantly moderately wave-exposed bedrock and boulders, subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. On the bedrock and stable boulders there is typically a narrow band of kelp [Laminaria digitata] in the sublittoral fringe which lies above a [Laminaria hyperborea] forest and park. Associated with the kelp are communities of seaweeds, predominantly reds and including a greater variety of more delicate filamentous types than found on more exposed coasts (cf. A3.11).


hname:
Kelp and red seaweeds (moderate energy infralittoral rock)

description:
Infralittoral rock subject to moderate wave exposure, or moderately strong tidal streams on more sheltered coasts. On bedrock and stable boulders there is typically a narrow band of kelp [Laminaria digitata] in the sublittoral fringe which lies above a [Laminaria hyperborea] forest and park. Associated with the kelp are communities of seaweeds, predominantly reds and including a greater variety of more delicate filamentous types than found on more exposed coasts (A3.11). The faunal component of the understorey is also less prominant than in A3.11.


hname:
[Laminaria digitata] on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock

description:
Exposed to moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock characterised by the kelp [Laminaria digitata] with coralline crusts covering the rock beneath the kelp canopy. Foliose red seaweeds such as [Palmaria palmata, Membranoptera alata, Chondrus crispus] and [Mastocarpus stellatus] are often present along with the calcareous [Corallina officinalis]. The brown seaweed [Fucus serratus] and the green seaweeds [Cladophora rupestris] and [Ulva lactuca] can be present as well. The sponge [Halichondria panicea] can be found among the kelp holdfasts or underneath overhangs. Also present on the rock are the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter], the gastropods [Patella vulgata] and [Gibbula cineraria]. The bryozoan [Electra pilosa] can form colonies on especially [C. crispus, M. stellatus] and [F. serratus] while the hydroid [Dynanema pumila] are more common on the kelp. Three variants of this biotope are described: [L. digitata] forest on rocky shores (unit A3.2111). [L. digitata] on boulder shores (unit A3.2112) and soft rock supporting [L. digitata], such as the chalk found in south-east England (unit A3.2113). For [L. digitata] in sheltered, tide-swept conditions see unit A3.221.


hname:
[Laminaria digitata] on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock

description:
Exposed to sheltered sublittoral fringe bedrock dominated by a dense canopy of [Laminaria digitata], often with a wide range of filamentous and foliose red seaweeds beneath. The most frequently occurring red seaweeds are [Palmaria palmata], [Corallina officinalis], [Mastocarpus stellatus], [Chondrus crispus, Lomentaria articulata] and [Membranoptera alata]. Generally the rocky substratum is covered by encrusting coralline algae, on which occasional limpets [Patella vulgata] and topshells [Gibbula cineraria] graze. A wide variety of fauna occurs, some of the most commonly occurring species being the sponge [Halichondria panicea] and the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter]. Kelp holdfasts provide a refuge for a varied assemblage of species such as sponges and the limpet [Helcion pellucidum], while encrusting bryozoans such as [Electra pilosa] more often are found on the fronds of foliose red seaweeds. Solitary ascidians may be locally abundant where overhanging or vertical rock occurs, while the hydroid [Dynamena pumila] can be abundant on [Fucus serratus] and [Laminaria] sp. fronds. On exposed, wave-surged shores, the robust red seaweeds [M. stellatus], [C. crispus] and [C. officinalis] can form a dense turf beneath the kelp along with the occasional green seaweed [Ulva lactuca]. Similarly on such shores the mussel [Mytilus edulis] can occur in extremely dense aggregations on the rock, beneath the kelp canopy.
Situation: This biotope is usually found on the extreme low shore below the [Fucus serratus] zone (unit A1.214) and above the truly sublittoral [Laminaria hyperborea] zone (unit A3.214).


hname:
[Laminaria digitata] and under-boulder fauna on sublittoral fringe boulders

description:
This [Laminaria digitata] biotope is found predominantly on moderately exposed boulder shores and occasionally also on exposed or sheltered shores. Upper surfaces of the boulders are colonised by dense [L. digitata] though other kelp such as [Laminaria hyperborea] and [Laminaria saccharina] or the wrack [Fucus serratus] can be present at lower abundance. The kelp fronds can be colonised by the bryozoan [Membranipora membranacea]. Beneath the kelp canopy are a variety of red seaweeds such as [Mastocarpus stellatus], [Chondrus crispus], [Palmaria palmata], [Membranoptera alata], [Corallina officinalis] and coralline crusts. Green seaweeds include [Cladophora rupestris] and [Ulva lactuca]. Where space is available beneath the boulders (i.e. they are not buried in sediment) there may be a rich assemblage of animals. Characteristic species include the crabs [Porcellana platycheles], [Pisidia longicornis] and juvenile [Cancer pagurus]. Also present beneath the boulders are often high densities of the barnacle [Balanus crenatus], the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter], spirorbid worms, the polychaete [Harmotho‰] sp., gammarid amphipods and a few gastropods such as [Gibbula cineraria]. The encrusting bryozoans [Electra pilosa] and [Umbonula littoralis] and encrusting colonies of the sponges [Halichondria panicea] and [Halisarca dujardini] are also typical of this habitat. The richest examples also contain a variety of echinoderms such as [Asterias rubens], colonial ascidians such as [Botryllus schlosseri] and small hydroids.
Situation: This biotope is found in a similar situation to unit A3.2111, usually beneath the [Fucus serratus] zone (units A1.2141 or A1.2142) and above the [Laminaria hyperborea] zone (unit A3.214). Many of the animals found under boulders in the lower shore in A1.2142 are also found under boulders in the sublittoral fringe (A3.2112), particularly the sponges and crabs. Similarly, many of the seaweeds present on the lower shore are also present in the shallow sublittoral fringe.


description:
Rare communities colonising the fluid muds of drying ponds of nemoral, boreonemoral, boreal, and, locally, steppic, Palaearctic Eurasia, characterised by [Eleocharis ovata], [Eleocharis carniolica], [Carex bohemica], [Lindernia procumbens], [Scirpus supinus], [Limosella aquatica], [Cyperus fuscus], [Peplis portula], [Juncus tenageia], [Elatine hexandra], [Elatine hydropiper], and [Coleanthus subtilis]; the latter species has a highly disjunct distribution, principally in western France, the Czech Republic and adjacent southeastern Germany and northern Austria, the Lake Ladoga region of Russia and Amurland.


description:
Pioneer formations of humid calcareous sands of Atlantic and sub-Atlantic Europe, recorded from the North Sea coasts of northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Germany and Denmark, and from the Baltic coast of Germany, with [Samolus valerandi], [Centaurium littorale], [Centaurium erythraea], [Centaurium pulchellum], [Gentianella amarella], [Blackstonia perfoliata], [Juncus bufonius], characteristic of humid dune slacks and dune pool fringes, on soils with low salinity.


description:
Associations, often very limited in extent, appearing in the drying phase of temporary pools, flooded ruts of forest paths, wet heath paths, humid forest cuts, seeping mowed lawns and other sufficiently lit temporarily inundated, most often acidic, soils of nemoral, boreonemoral, boreal, and, locally, steppic, Palaearctic Eurasia, characterised by [Juncus bufonius], [Scirpus setaceus], [Cyperus flavescens], [Centunculus minimus], [Spergularia segetalis], [Centaurium pulchellum], [Blackstonia perfoliata], [Samolus valerandi], [Cicendia filiformis], [Radiola linoides] and [Illecebrum verticillatum].


description:
Communities of temporary pools, flooded ruts of forest paths, and other sufficiently lit temporarily inundated or moist soils of nemoral, boreonemoral and boreal Palaearctic Eurasia dominated by [Juncus bufonius].


description:
Medio-European communities dominated by the annual galingales [Cyperus flavescens], [Cyperus fuscus] and [Cyperus michelianus].


description:
Varied communities, some very rare and threatened, of small annuals of wet ground of nemoral and boreonemoral Palaearctic Eurasia.


hname:
[Bidens] communities (of lake and pond shores)

description:
Dense, taller annual communities (usually up to maximum height 100 cm) colonizing nitrogen-rich muds of dry ponds and lakes of the boreal and nemoral zones of the Palaearctic, and locally of the Eurasian steppe zone. Dominants are [Bidens] spp., [Rorippa palustris], [Rorippa islandica], [Chenopodium] spp., [Polygonum] spp., [Rumex maritimus], [Rumex palustris], [Ranunculus sceleratus], [Senecio congestus], [Catabrosa aquatica] and [Leersia oryzoides].


hname:
Euro-Siberian annual river mud communities

description:
Pioneer formations of tall annuals colonizing nitrogen-rich muds of lowland rivers of boreal and nemoral zones, and locally of the Eurasian steppe zone, occurring also in Mediterranean region, with [Bidens] spp., [Rorippa] spp., [Chenopodium] spp., [Polygonum] spp. and [Xanthium] spp.


description:
Communities colonizing fine material deposits of low arctic and northern boreal rivers and springs of the Palaearctic region.


description:
Vascular plant communities occupying gravel deposits of rivers, including pioneer vegetation and subsequent stages in the colonization sequence. Early-stage communities of Alpine, boreal and Mediterranean watercourses are specialised, those of nemoral lowlands and hills are related to other formations, in particular those of unit E3. Vegetation communites of e.g. [Thlaspietea rotundifolii] – [Glaucion flavi] and [Salicion eleagno-daphnoidis], with the most typical species [Caltha palustris ssp. laeta], [Salix elaeagnos], [Salix purpurea] and [Poa trivialis].


description:
Open assemblies of herbaceous or suffrutescent pioneering plants, rich in alpine species, colonizing gravel beds of Palaearctic streams with an alpine, summer-high, flow regime, formed in northern boreal and lower arctic mountains, hills and sometimes lowlands, as well as in the alpine and subalpine zones of higher, glaciated, mountains of more southern regions, sometimes with abyssal stations at lower altitudes.


description:
Open or closed assemblies of herbaceous or suffrutescent pioneering plants, colonizing, within the montane or submontane levels, gravel beds of streams with an alpine, summer-high, flow regime, born in high mountains of the Alpine system.


description:
Open and often unstable assemblies of herbaceous or suffrutescent pioneering plants, rich in casual immigrants from higher altitudes, colonizing gravel beds of the montane reaches of unregulated Alpine streams, with [Chondrilla chondrilloides], often accompanied by [Erucastrum nasturtiifolium], [Gypsophila repens], [Dryas octopetala], [Aethionema saxatile], [Epilobium dodonaei], [Erigeron acer], [Leontodon berinii], [Buphthalmum salicifolium], [Euphorbia cyparissias], [Fumana procumbens], [Agrostis gigantea], [Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. alpestris], [Campanula cochlearifolia], [Hieracium piloselloides], [Calamagrostis pseudophragmites], [Conyza canadensis], [Pritzelago alpina], and seedlings of [Salix elaeagnos], [Salix purpurea], [Salix daphnoides] and [Myricaria germanica]. Because of widespread interference with natural flow regimes, these formations are gravely endangered.


description:
Closed or lacunar assemblies of often large herbaceous or suffrutescent pioneering plants colonizing montane and submontane gravel beds loaded with finer sands or silts of unregulated streams of the Alpine system and its vicinity. [Calamagrostis pseudophragmites] is usually dominant, seedlings of montane and dealpine willows, characteristic of C3.5521, often absent.


hname:
Carpatho-Alpine small-reed river gravel communities

description:
[Calamagrostis pseudophragmites]-dominated communities of rivers originating in the Alpine and Carpathian arcs complex. Characteristic plants include [Epilobium dodonaei], [Agrostis gigantea], [Phalaris arundinacea], [Tussilago farfara]. Like those of unit C3.5521, these communities are gravely threatened by widespread watercourse alterations affecting natural flow regimes.


hname:
Pyreneo-Cantabric small-reed river gravel communities

description:
Assemblies of herbaceous or suffrutescent pioneering plants colonizing gravel beds of streams with an alpine, summer-high, flow regime in the montane zone of the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian chain, with [Calamagrostis pseudophragmites] and [Erucastrum nasturtiifolium].


description:
Thermophile pioneer communities of river gravels, mostly characteristic of the upper Rhine, with [Scrophularia canina], [Epilobium dodonaei], [Hieracium piloselloides], [Silene prostrata], [Inula conyza], [Centaurea stoebe ssp. stoebe], [Arenaria serpyllifolia], [Echium vulgare], [Salix elaeagnos] seedlings.


description:
Open or closed assemblies of herbaceous or suffrutescent pioneering plants, colonizing, within the montane or submontane levels, gravel beds of streams with an alpine, summer-high, flow regime, born in the high Ponto-Caucasian mountains.


description:
Complex mires of the arctic and subarctic patterned by surface microrelief of large, 10 to 30 m in diameter, low-centre or high-centre polygons formed by the juxtaposition of dry, 0.3 to 0.5 m high, ridges covered by shrubs, hypnoid mosses and sphagna, and of wet hollows occupied by grasses, sedges, mosses and sphagna. Polygon mires occur mainly outside Europe, in tundra where the mean annual temperature is below -1°C.


description:
Ridges and flat tops of polygons of polygon mires of the Arctic and subarctic zones of the Palaearctic domaine, covered by shrubs, hypnoid mosses and sphagna.


description:
Hollows and cracks of polygon mires of the Arctic and subarctic zones of the Palaearctic domaine, occupied by the grasses [Arctophila fulva], [Dupontia fischeri], the sedges [Carex stans], [Carex chordorrhiza], [Carex rariflora], [Carex rotundata], the hypnoid mosses [Drepanocladus] spp., [Mnium] spp. and the sphagna [Sphagnum balticum], [Sphagnum majus].


hname:
Base-rich fens and calcareous spring mires

description:
Peatlands, flushes and vegetated springs with calcareous or eutrophic ground water, within river valleys, alluvial plains, or on hillsides. As in poor fens, the water level is at or near the surface of the substratum and peat formation depends on a permanently high watertable. Excluded are reedbeds (C3, D5).


hname:
Rich fens, including eutrophic tall-herb fens and calcareous flushes and soaks

description:
Wetlands and spring-mires, seasonally or permanently waterlogged, with a soligenous or topogenous base-rich, often calcareous water supply. Peat formation, when it occurs, depends on a permanently high watertable. Rich fens may be dominated by small or larger graminoids ([Carex] spp., [Eleocharis] spp., [Juncus] spp., [Molinia caerulea], [Phragmites australis], [Schoenus] spp., [Sesleria] spp.) or tall herbs (e.g. [Eupatorium cannabinum]). Where the water is base-rich but nutrient-poor, small sedges usually dominate the mire vegetation, together with a "brown moss" carpet. Hard-water spring mires (D4.1N) often contain tufa cones and other tufa deposits. Excluded is the water body of hard-water springs (C2.1); calcareous flushes of the alpine zone are a separate category (D4.2). Rich fens are exceptionally endowed with spectacular, specialised, strictly restricted species. They are among the habitats that have undergone the most serious decline. They are essentially extinct in several regions and gravely endangered in much of central and western Europe.


description:
[Schoenus nigricans]-dominated or -rich communities of rich fens of nemoral, Pannonic and Pontic Europe, of wide distribution, though less common in Alpine and peri-Alpine regions than the next unit, and confined to lower altitudes. Rushes, [Juncus subnodulosus] in British and western continental inland fens, [Juncus balticus] in dune-slack fens, are often abundant. Other accompanying species include [Carex lepidocarpa], [Carex hostiana], [Carex panicea], [Carex pulicaris], [Eriophorum latifolium], [Molinia caerulea], [Dactylorhiza incarnata], [Dactylorhiza praetermissa], [Dactylorhiza purpurella], [Dactylorhiza traunsteineri], [Dactylorhiza traunsteinerioides], [Epipactis palustris], [Parnassia palustris], [Pinguicula vulgaris], brown mosses and, locally, [Pinguicula lusitanica] and [Drosera anglica]. These communities have enormously regressed, particularly in northern and northwestern continental Europe, and are extinct in many regions.


description:
[Schoenus nigricans]-dominated or -rich communities of rich fens of the British Isles.


description:
[Schoenus nigricans]-dominated or -rich communities of rich fens of Atlantic continental Europe, from western France to Schleswig-Holstein.


description:
[Schoenus nigricans]-dominated communities of calcareous fens with strong water-level fluctuations of summer-warm Alpine and peri-Alpine regions of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, of the Bohemian Quadrangle, and of subcontinental Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Poland and Lithuania.


description:
[Schoenus nigricans]-dominated or -rich communities of rich fens of the Illyrian region.


description:
[Schoenus nigricans]-dominated or -rich communities of rich fens of the Pannonic region.


description:
[Schoenus nigricans] fens of the southeastern Carpathian system, in the periphery of the Gilau Mountains, with [Peucedanum palustre] and [Lysimachia thyrsiflora].


description:
[Schoenus ferrugineus]-dominated communities of rich fens of nemoral and boreonemoral Europe, mostly restricted to Alpine and peri-Alpine regions and to the Baltic periphery, with isolated outposts, in particular in eastern Scotland.


description:
[Schoenus ferrugineus]-dominated formations of Alpine and peri-Alpine regions, with a predominance of [Schoenus ferrugineus] among the gramineous growth which is often overwhelming, imparting to the fens a distinctive brown tone in summer. [Schoenus ferrugineus] may be accompanied by [Schoenus nigricans], [Eriophorum latifolium], [Carex hostiana], [Carex davalliana], [Carex panicea], [Carex flacca], [Carex lepidocarpa], [Carex demissa], [Carex dioica], [Eleocharis quinqueflora], [Molinia caerulea]; non-gramineous herbs include [Pinguicula vulgaris], [Gentiana utriculosa], [Drosera anglica], [Primula farinosa], [Parnassia palustris], [Dactylorhiza traunsteineri], [Dactylorhiza lapponica], [Tofieldia calyculata]; the rich moss layer is formed by [Drepanocladus intermedius], [Drepanocladus revolvens], [Campylium stellatum].


description:
[Schoenus ferrugineus] stands of base-rich Perthshire flushes, with [Eleocharis quinqueflora], [Carex hostiana], [Carex panicea], [Carex lepidocarpa], [Saxifraga aizoides], [Scirpus cespitosus], [Eriophorum latifolium], [Eriophorum angustifolium], [Tofieldia pusilla], [Pinguicula vulgaris], [Scorpidium scorpioides].


description:
[Schoenus ferrugineus]-dominated fens of northeastern Jutland, the Danish archipelago, southern and central Fennoscandia, northeastern Germany, Poland, the Baltic States and northwestern Russia, with [Carex panicea], [Tofieldia pusilla], [Andromeda polifolia] and brown mosses.


description:
Diverse, often extensive, calcareous fen communities of Central Europe, with [Carex davalliana], [Carex hostiana], [Carex lepidocarpa], [Carex capillaris], [Carex panicea], [Carex nigra], [Carex demissa], [Carex flava], [Carex pulicaris], [Eriophorum latifolium], [Blysmus compressus], [Schoenus ferrugineus], [Eleocharis quinqueflora], [Juncus articulatus], [Juncus subnodulosus], [Scirpus cespitosus], [Molinia caerulea], [Tofieldia calyculata], [Allium schoenoprasum], [Potentilla erecta], [Swertia perennis], [Primula farinosa], [Parnassia palustris], [Pinguicula vulgaris] and a moss layer often dominated by brown mosses. They have their greatest species diversity in Alpine and peri-Alpine regions, and are represented by impoverished outlyers north to the middle European Hercynian system. Small sedges are usually abundant and dominance may be mixed or achieved by species of genus [Carex], in particular, [Carex davalliana], by [Eriophorum latifolium] or by [Scirpus cespitosus]. Vegetation of alliances [Caricion davallianae] and [Sphagno warnstorfiani-Tomenthypnion].


description:
Species-rich calcareous fens of the Alps, the Alpine piedmonts and peripheral plateaux, the Swiss plateau, the French, Swiss, Swabian, Franconian Jura and their periphery, often with a mixed dominance, usually with a particular prominence of [Carex davalliana], [Carex panicea], [Carex hostiana], [Carex nigra], [Carex flacca] or [Eriophorum latifolium], sometimes of [Carex microglochin], and with [Carex lepidocarpa], [Carex capillaris], [Carex nigra], [Carex demissa], [Carex flava], [Carex pulicaris], [Blysmus compressus], [Schoenus ferrugineus], [Eleocharis quinqueflora], [Juncus articulatus], [Scirpus cespitosus], [Molinia caerulea], [Tofieldia calyculata], [Allium schoenoprasum], [Potentilla erecta], [Swertia perennis], [Primula farinosa], [Parnassia palustris], [Pinguicula vulgaris] and a moss layer formed by [Drepanocladus intermedius], [Cratoneuron glaucum], [Campylium stellatum]. These extremely species-rich communities are still represented by a few large, very well preserved examples on the Bavarian plateau. These are a refuge for many rare species, including the relict, threatened [Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum] and the orchids [Dactylorhiza traunsteineri], [Dactylorhiza ochroleuca], [Dactylorhiza incarnata], [Herminium monorchis], [Epipactis palustris]. Elsewhere in their range, the Davall sedge fens have undergone a drastic reduction, leading to extinction in many areas.


description:
Generally impoverished [Scirpus cespitosus]-dominated facies of Davall sedge fens. Common companions are [Carex davalliana], [Parnassia palustris], [Potentilla erecta] and the mosses [Campylium stellatum], [Drepanocladus intermedius].


hname:
[Hiatella arctica] beds on silty clay with small pebbles and shells


hname:
Baltic mussel beds in the infralittoral photic zone

description:
Communities of Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean mussel beds.


hname:
Baltic mussel beds in the infralittoral photic zone with little or no macrophyte vegetation


hname:
Baltic mussel beds of the infralittoral photic zone dominated by macrophyte vegetation


hname:
Pontic [Mytilus galloprovincialis] beds on sublittoral sediment


hname:
Pontic [Mytilus galloprovincialis] beds on infralittoral shelly gravel


hname:
Pontic [Mytilus galloprovincialis] beds on infralittoral sand


hname:
Pontic [Mytilus galloprovincialis] beds on circalittoral mud

description:
Found especially in muddy sediments forming seabed features as elongated patches perpendicular to predominant currents. These are destroyed by disturbance such as that generated by trawling activities and extreme siltation processes.


description:
The coral reef structures in UK waters are found in cold, largely aphotic waters, generally along the shelf edge and in offshore waters down to 2000 m. In the north east Atlantic, [Lophelia pertusa] is the dominant colonial coral and is the characterising species of the biotope described under this habitat type. [Lophelia] and its deep-water allies lack the symbiotic algae of their tropical relatives, so can live in the permanent darkness of the deep sea. These corals form colonies and can aggregate into patches and banks which may be described as reefs. These deep-sea corals can support and shelter hundreds of other species, including sponges, polychaete worms, echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, brittle stars) and bryozoans (sea mats). Some 200-300 species can be found in one of these coral habitats, a number comparable to that found in other important deep-water habitats. Unlike tropical coral reef systems, they are dominated by only a few hard-coral species, and there are far fewer fish species.


description:
Reefs of the coral [Lophelia pertusa], typically supporting a range of other biota. [Lophelia] reefs are generally found in areas of elevated current. The coral provides a 3 dimensional structure and a variety of microhabitats that provide shelter and a surface of attachment for other species. Boring sponges, anemones, bryozoans, gorgonians including [Paragorgia arborea], [Paramuricea placomus], [Primnoa resedaeformis], polychaetes, barnacles, squat lobsters ([Munida sarsi]) and bivalves have all been recorded within and among the corals (Wilson, 1979; Mortensen et al., 1995) Other hard corals such as [Madrepora oculata] and [Solenosmilia variabilis] may also be present. Mobile species present include the redfish ([Sebastes viviparous] and [Sebastes marinus]), Ling ([Molva molva]) and tusk ([Brosme brosme]) (Husebo et al., 2002).
Situation: In British waters [Lophelia] reefs have been found on fine silt sediment and rock on the continental slope, on rock on the continental shelf, and on other hard structures such as the legs of oil platforms.


hname:
Pontic [Ostrea edulis] biogenic reefs on mobile seabottom


hname:
Deep massive [Ostrea edulis] reefs on bottoms of shelly gravel and boulders

description:
This habitat is composed of [Ostrea edulis] biogenic reefs of three dimensional structure on soft bottoms.  The massive reefs can reach dimensions of up to 7m in height and are composed of dead [Ostrea edulis] shells and cemented tubes of serpulid   are overgrown by blue mussels, sponges, the red algae [Delesseria ruscifolia], the brown algae [Xanardinia prototypus], crabs such as [Eriphia verrucosa] and also constitute essential habitat for the bivalve [Petricola lithophaga].  It is unknown whether live [Ostrea edulis] reefs can still be found in the Black Sea.


description:
New habitat created by the introduction of allochthonous species used for for cultivation such as [Crassostrea gigas] and [Ostrea virginica].


description:
Features of sublittoral sediments include sublittoral habitats characterised by the presence of gases or liquids bubbling or seeping through sediments (A5.71) and sublittoral sediments which are organically-enriched or permanently or periodically anoxic (A5.72).


hname:
Seeps and vents in sublittoral sediments


description:
Peatlands formed by ombrotrophic acid peat, which is (or was while actively growing) capable of growth fed by rainfall rather than by the inflow of water from higher ground in the vicinity.


description:
The mire surface and underlying peat of highly oligotrophic, strongly acidic peatlands with a raised centre from which water drains towards the edges. The peat is composed mainly of sphagnum remains. Raised bogs form on nearly flat ground and derive moisture and nutrients only from rainfall (ombrotrophic). Raised bog complexes (X04) include larger bog pools (C1.46) and a marginal lagg (C1.47), as well as the main mire surface (D1.1), which in actively-growing raised bogs typically comprises a complex of low hummocks, small pools and their associated vegetation. Raised bogs form only in cool climates with high rainfall. They are most widespread in the boreal zone and in the mountains and hills of the nemoral zone; they occur locally in the lowlands of the nemoral zone. They are characteristic of lowlands and hills of northwestern and northern Europe, the adjacent Hercynian ranges, the Jura, the Alps and the Carpathians. Bogs harbour, in addition to sphagna, which are often abundant, a small number of vascular plants such as [Eriophorum vaginatum], [Scirpus cespitosus] ([Trichophorum cespitosum]), [Carex pauciflora], [Carex paupercula], [Ledum palustre], [Vaccinium oxycoccos], [Andromeda polifolia] and [Drosera rotundifolia], and lichens. Animal species are not numerous but those that are adapted to bogs are highly specialised. Among typical invertebrates figure dragonflies ([Leucorrhinia dubia], [Aeshna subarctica], [Aeshna caerulea], [Aeshna juncea], [Somatochlora arctica], [Somatochlora alpestris]), lepidopterans ([Colias palaeno], [Boloria aquilonaris], [Coenonympha tullia], [Vacciniina optilete], [Hypenodes turfosalis], [Eugraphe subrosea]), beetles, ants ([Formica exsecta]), bugs and spiders ([Pardosa sphagnicola], [Glyphesis cottonae]). Most of the species that bogs harbour are rare and their populations fragmented into isolated relictual elements; several are threatened. The remaining intact or nearly intact communities are exceptional.


hname:
Active, relatively undamaged raised bogs

description:
Undisturbed, or little disturbed, peat-forming bogs, often taking the shape of a convex lens. Such intact or nearly intact systems have become very rare or even exceptional. They are composed of a number of communities, which form and occupy the topological features of the bog. These communities are interrelated and function as a unit (part of complex X04), so that they cannot be regarded as separate subhabitats; their presence and combination, however, characterizes the various types of bogs. The subunits thus contribute to a description of individual bog systems. Vegetation of alliances [Oxycocco-Empetrion hermaphroditi], [Sphagnion medii] and [Sphagnion cuspidati]. Typical species in the herb layer [Eriophorum vaginatum], [Oxycoccus palustris], [Vaccinium] spp.; in the moss layer dominance of genus [Sphagnum] spp., e.g. [Sphagnum cuspidatum], [Sphagnum fallax], [Sphagnum palustre] and [Sphagnum magellanicum] among others.


description:
Vegetation of the higher parts of the plateau of Palaearctic bogs and of its drier, marginal slope. Intact, typical, raised bogs of northern, lowland and low montane central and eastern Europe display an alternance of well-marked sphagnum hummocks, colonized or not, especially in their drier upper part, by small shrubs, lower, wetter, flat lawns and wet hollows or schlenken. Sphagnum hummocks with no, or few, shrubs are listed in unit D1.1111, sphagnum hummocks, or parts of them, colonized by shrubs in unit D1.1113, lawns in unit D1.1112. In bogs under strong oceanic influence, in high-altitude bogs, in bogs subjected to minerotrophic influences or anthropogenic degradation, a sparse cover of shrubs or tussock-forming graminoids may become ubiquitous and the distinction between hummock and lawn, or even between hummock, lawn and hollow, blurred, in bogs that are often somewhat intermediate towards blanket bogs. Such communities are listed in units D1.1114 to D1.1116, as well as in D1.114 and in D1.121; in some of them sphagna may be scarce or replaced by bryopsid mosses. Well-defined sphagnum hummocks of unit D1.1111 may nevertheless develop in conjunction with them. The dominance role is played by deergrass, [Scirpus cespitosus], in montane central European bogs, or parts of bogs listed in unit D1.1114. In Atlantic bogs listed in unit D1.1115 it is played by [Erica tetralix]. Somewhat degraded bogs, in particular, bogs affected by anthropozoogenic influences in Atlantic climates, may be overwhelmingly dominated by [Eriophorum vaginatum], usually with complete blurring of the structure. They are listed in unit D1.1116. More severely degraded bogs, invaded by [Molinia caerulea], are listed in unit D1.121. The highly distinctive shrub and sphagnum or shrub and moss hummocks bog expanses of the montane, rapidly dessicating, bogs of the boreal and subarctic zones are listed in unit D1.114 Sphagnum hummocks forming in acidic fens (unit D2.2), transition mires (unit D2.3) or, sometimes, rich fens (unit D4.1), are also indicated by codes of units D1.1111 or D1.1113.


hname:
Mainland Atlantic [Zostera noltii] or [Zostera angustifolia] meadows

description:
Formations of [Zostera noltii] or [Zostera angustifolia] of the Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic shores of continental Europe and of its continental shelf islands.


hname:
[Zostera noltii] beds in littoral muddy sand

description:
Mid and upper shore wave-sheltered muddy fine sand or sandy mud with narrow-leafed eel grass [Zostera noltii] at an abundance of frequent or above. It should be noted that the presence of [Z. noltii] as scattered fronds does not change what is otherwise a muddy sand biotope. Exactly what determines the distribution of [Z. noltii] is not entirely clear. It is often found in small lagoons and pools, remaining permanently submerged, and on sediment shores where the muddiness of the sediment retains water and stops the roots from drying out. An anoxic layer is usually present below 5 cm sediment depth. The infaunal community is characterised by the polychaetes [Scoloplos armiger, Pygospio elegans] and [Arenicola marina], oligochaetes, the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae], and the bivalves [Cerastoderma edule] and [Macoma balthica]. The green algae [Enteromorpha] spp. may be present on the sediment surface. The characterising species lists below give an indication both of the epibiota and of the sediment infauna that may be present in intertidal seagrass beds. The biotope is described in more detail in the British National Vegetation Classification (see the chapter on saltmarsh communities in Rodwell, 2000).
Situation: [Z. noltii]  is most frequently found on lower estuary and sheltered coastal muddy sands, together with biotopes such as unit A2.242.
Temporal variation: There may be seasonal variation in the area covered by intertidal seagrass beds, as plants die back during cold temperatures in winter. Intertidal seagrass beds may also be subject to heavy grazing by geese, which can reduce the extent of the plant cover significantly. The rhizomes of the plants will remain in place within the sediment in both situations.


description:
Very local [Zostera noltii] formations of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.


hname:
Pontic [Zostera marina] and [Zostera noltii] meadows

description:
[Zostera marina] and [Zostera noltii] formations of Black Sea shores, particularly luxuriant in the limans of the northern Black Sea and the Azov Sea.  In the Black Sea, the dominant species of the [Zostera] biocenosis are [Zostera marina] and [Zostera noltii] (a total of 5 species of the genus [Zostera]) which form dense growths in bays and limans.  There are 17-40 species of algae in the [Zostera] biocenosis which account for 1-30% of the phytocoenosis biomass. The most dominant of these species are: [Ulva rigida], [Chatemorpha chlorotica], [Ectocarpus confervoides], [Laurencia obtusa] and [Gracilaria verrucosa].  The total number of macrozoobenthos species varies from 24 in the Kut part of Karkinitsky Bay to 70 in Kazachey Bay (Sevastopol).  In the areas with higher freshwater input, the biocoenosis contains the crabs [Macropipus holsatus] and [Rhithropanopeus  harrisi tridentata], and the prawns [Palaemon adspersus] and [Palaemon elegans].  In Tendrovsky bay, other mass species are also: [Abra ovata] and Hydrobiidae.  On the Crimean shelf the mass species are the gastropod molluscs [Mohrensternia parva], [Bittium reticulatum] and the bivalve mollusc [Mytilaster lineatus] (Zaitsev and Aleksandrov, 1998).


hname:
[Ruppia maritima] on lower shore sediment


description:
Dominants are [Eleocharis acicularis], [Eleocharis parvula].


description:
Emergent [Eleocharis parvula] or [Eleocharis acicularis] formations of brackish seas, sea inlets, estuaries, permanent pools of mud or sand flats, and coastal lagoons, occurring in the open sea only in the Baltic, limited to coastal waterbodies elsewhere, and very rare.


description:
Emergent [Eleocharis parvula]-dominated formations of brackish seas, sea inlets, estuaries, permanent pools of mud or sand flats, and coastal lagoons. They occur in the open sea only in the inner Baltic, in particular in middle Sweden, southern Finland and Estonia; they are very rare elsewhere, noted in particular on a few points of the coasts of Norway and in closed limans of the northern Black Sea and Azov Sea coasts, probably extinct in France and Germany.


description:
Emergent [Eleocharis acicularis]-dominated formations of the open Baltic in the Gulf of Bothnia (Bothnia Sea, Bothnia Bay) and the Gulf of Finland.


description:
The Littoral Biogenic Reefs habitat contains two biological subtypes, littoral [Sabellaria] reefs (A2.71) and mixed sediment shores with mussels (A2.72), encompassing the littoral biotope dominated by the honeycomb worm [Sabellaria alveolata], and littoral [Mytilus edulis]- dominated communities. [S. alveolata] can form honeycomb reefs on mid to lower shore on exposed coasts, where there is a plentiful supply of sediment. The underlying substratum may consist primarily of rock or stable cobbles and boulders, or of cobbles and boulders on sand. Mixed sediment shores characterised by beds of adult mussels [Mytilus edulis] occur principally on mid and lower eulittoral mixed substrata (mainly cobbles and pebbles on muddy sediments) in a wide range of exposure conditions. In high densities the mussels bind the substratum and provide a habitat for many infaunal and epifaunal species.
Temporal variation: [S. alveolata] reefs may be susceptible to storm damage in the winter, although they can regenerate remarkably quickly in a season as long as some adults are left as they facilitate the larval settlement. [S. alveolata] is tolerant to burial under sand for several weeks. Changes in desiccation over a period of time can cause part of the population to die. One of the mussel-dominated subtypes, A2.7212, could change to A2.7213 over time as pseudofaeces build up forming a layer of mud. This cannot happen where wave action or tidal streams wash away pseudofaeces and prevent a build up. In areas where mussel spat ("mussel crumble") settles on the surface shell layer of cockle beds, the mussel cover may be ephemeral.


description:
The sedentary polychaete [Sabellaria alveolata] (honeycomb worm) builds tubes from sand and shell. On exposed shores, where there is a plentiful supply of sediment, [S. alveolata] can form honeycomb reefs on boulders and low-lying bedrock on the mid to lower shore. These [S. alveolata] reefs are quite distinct from the mosaic of seaweeds and barnacles or red seaweeds (A1.2) generally associated with moderately exposed rocky shores though many of the same species are present. These include the anemone [Actinia equina], the barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides] and [Elminius modestus], the limpet [Patella vulgata], the top shell [Gibbula cineraria] and the winkle [Littorina littorea]. The whelk [Nucella lappilus] and the mussel [Mytilus edulis] is also present on the boulders whereas the polychaete [Lanice conchilega] is restricted to the associated sediment areas. Scour resistent red seaweeds including [Palmaria palmata, Corallina ifficinalis, Mastocarpus stellatus, Chondrus crispus, Ceramium nodulosum, Osmundea pinnatifida, Polysiphonia] spp. and coralline crusts can also be present where suitable substrata exsist. Brown and green seaweeds also present include [Fucus serratus, Fucus vesioculosus, Cladostephus spongiosus, Enteromorpha intestinalis] and [Ulva lactuca].
Situation: Above A2.71 are biotopes dominated either by ephemeral seaweeds, such as [Enteromorpha] spp. and [Porphyra] spp. or the perennial wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] on mixed substrata (A1.213; A1.3132; A2.821; A1.452). Rockpool biotopes dominated by the red seaweed [Corallina officinalis] (A1.411), by wracks such as [Fucus] spp. or by kelp such as [Laminaria] spp. (A1.412) can usually be found above this biotope. Beneath this biotope is a community consisting of mixed scour-tolerant like the kelp [Laminaria digitata] and opportunistic foliose red seaweeds such as [Polyides rotundus] and [Ahnfeltia plicata] (A3.2111; A3.125; A3.127).


hname:
Honeycomb worm reefs on sand-abraded eulittoral rock

description:
Exposed to moderately exposed bedrock and boulders in the eastern basin of the Irish Sea (and as far south as Cornwall) characterised by reefs of the polychaete [Sabellaria alveolata]. The sand based tubes formed by [S. alveolata] form large reef-like hummocks, which serve to stabilise the boulders and cobbles. Other species in this biotope include the barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides] and [Elminius modestus] and the limpet [Patella vulgata], the winkle [Littorina littorea], the mussel [Mytilus edulis] and the whelk [Nucella lapillus]. The anemone [Actinia equina] and the crab [Carcinus maenas] can be present in cracks and crevices on the reef. Low abundance of seaweeds tend to occur in areas of eroded reef. The seaweed diversity can be high and may include the foliose red seaweeds [Palmaria palmata], [Mastocarpus stellatus], [Osmundea pinnatifida, Chondrus crispus] and some filamentous species e.g. [Polysiphonia] spp. and [Ceramium] spp. Coralline crusts can occur in patches. Wracks such as [Fucus vesiculosus], [Fucus serratus] and the brown seaweed [Cladostephus spongiosus] may occur along with the ephemeral green seaweeds [Enteromorpha intestinalis] and [Ulva lactuca]. On exposed surf beaches in the south-west [S. alveolata] forms a crust on the rocks, rather than the classic honeycomb reef form, and may be accompanied by the barnacle [Balanus perforatus] (typically common to abundant). On wave-exposed shores in Ireland, the wrack [Himanthalia elongata] can also occur.
Situation: Above this unit are biotopes dominated either by ephemeral seaweeds, such as [Enteromorpha] spp. and [Porphyra] spp. or the perennial wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] on mixed substrata (units A1.213; A1.3132; A2.821; A1.452). Rockpool biotopes dominated by the red seaweed [Corallina officinalis] (unit A1.411), by wracks such as [Fucus] spp. or by kelp such as [Laminaria] spp. (A1.412) can usually be found above this biotope. Beneath this biotope is a community consisting of mixed scour-tolerant like the kelp [Laminaria digitata] and opportunistic foliose red seaweeds such as [Polyides rotundus] and [Ahnfeltia plicata] (units A3.2111; A3.125; A1.45; A3.127). In adjacent sediment areas [Lanice conchilega] may dominante (A2.245).
Temporal variation: These reefs may be susceptible to storm damage in the winter, although they can regenerate remarkably quickly in a season as long as some adults are left as they facilitate the larval settlement. [S. alveolata] is tolerant to burial under sand for several weeks. Changes in desiccation over a period of time can cause part of the population to die.


description:
Sediment shores characterised by beds of adult mussels [Mytilus edulis] occur principally on mid and lower eulittoral mixed substrata (mainly cobbles and pebbles on muddy sediments) in a wide range of exposure conditions. In high densities the mussels bind the substratum and provide a habitat for many infaunal and epifaunal species. This biotope is also found in lower shore tide-swept areas, such as in the tidal narrows of Scottish sealochs. A fauna of dense juvenile mussels may be found in sheltered firths, attached to algae on shores of pebbles, gravel, sand, mud and shell debris with a strandline of fucoid algae.
Situation: High densities of juvenile mussels attached to seaweed have been recorded from sheltered shores of the Dornoch Firth and Moray Firth. Adult mussel beds can be found below a band of ephemeral green seaweeds (A2.821) on more exposed, predominantly rocky shores. On sheltered, predominantly rocky shores either a [Fucus vesiculosus] dominated biotope or a biotope dominated by the wrack [Ascophyllum nodosum] (A1.3132; A1.3142) can be found above, or the barnacle dominated biotope (A1.1133).
Temporal variation: The temporal stability of mussel beds can vary a lot. Some beds are permanent, maintained by recruitment of spat in amongst adults. Other beds are ephemeral, an example of which are beds ocurring at South America Skear where large amounts of spat settle intermittently on a cobble basement. The mussels rapidly build up mud, and are unable to remain attached to the stable cobbles. They are then liable to be washed away during gales. A second example of ephemeral mussel dominated biotopes occurs when mussel spat ("mussel crumble") settles on the superficial shell of cockle beds, such as is known to occur in the Burry Inlet.


description:
Dense aggregations of [Mytilus edulis] on the mid and lower shore, on mixed substrata (mainly cobbles and pebbles on fine sediments), on sand, or on sheltered muddy shores. In high densities the mussels bind the substratum and provide a habitat for many infaunal and epifaunal species. The wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] is often found attached to either the mussels or cobbles and it can be abundant. The mussels are often encrusted with the barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides], [Elminius modestus] or [Balanus crenatus]. Where boulders are present they can support the limpet [Patella vulgata]. The winkles [Littorina littorea] and [L. saxatilis] and small individuals of the crab [Carcinus maenas] are common amongst the mussels, whilst areas of sediment may contain the lugworm [Arenicola marina], the sand mason [Lanice conchilega], the cockle [Cerastoderma edule], and other infaunal species. The characterising species list shown below is based on data from epifaunal sampling only. Three sub-biotopes are recognised for this biotope, distinguished principally on the basis of the sediment type associated with the mussel beds. The three types of intertidal mussel beds may be part of a continuum on an axis that is most strongly influenced by the amount of pseudofaeces that accumulate amongst the mussels. The differences may not always be directly connected to the underlying substratum on which the mussel bed may have started a long time ago. It should be noted that there are few data available for the muddy (A2.7213) and sandy (A2.7212) subunits, therefore there are no characterising species lists or comparative tables for these two sub-biotopes.
Situation: On more exposed, predominantly rocky shores this biotope can be found below a band of ephemeral green seaweeds (unit A2.821). On sheltered, predominantly rocky shores either a [F. vesiculosus] dominated biotope or a biotope dominated by the wrack [Ascophyllum nodosum] (A1.3132; A1.3142) can be found above or the barnacle dominated biotope (A1.1133). On mudflats and sandflats, this biotope may be found alongside [Cerastoderma edule] beds (A2.242) and other A2.2 and A2.3 biotopes. The intertidal A2.721 biotope can extend seamlessly into the subtidal.
Temporal variation: The temporal stability of mussel beds can vary a lot. Some beds are permanent, maintained by recruitment of spat in amongst adults. Other beds are ephemeral, an example of which are beds ocurring at South America Skear where large amounts of spat settle intermittently on a cobble basement. The mussels rapidly build up mud, and are unable to remain attached to the stable cobbles. They are then liable to be washed away during gales. A second example of ephemeral mussel dominated biotopes occurs when mussel spat ("mussel crumble") settles on the superficial shell of cockle beds, such as is known to occur in the Burry Inlet.


description:
Mid and lower shore mixed substrata (mainly cobbles and pebbles on fine sediments) in a wide range of exposure conditions and with aggregations of the mussel [Mytilus edulis] colonising mainly the sediment between cobbles, though they can extend onto the cobbles themselves. The mussel aggregations can be very dense and support various age classes. In high densities the mussels bind the substratum and provide a habitat for many infaunal and epifaunal species. The wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] is often found attached to either the mussels or the cobbles and it can occur at high abundance. The mussels are also usually encrusted with the barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides], [Elminius modestus] or [Chtamalus] spp., especially in areas of reduced salinity. The winkles [Littorina littorea] and [L. saxatilis] and small individuals of the crab [Carcinus maenas] are common amongst the mussels, whilst areas of sediment may contain the lugworm [Arenicola marina], the sand mason [Lanice conchilega] and other infaunal species. Pools are often found within the mussel beds that support algae such as [Chondrus crispus]. Where boulders are present they can support the limpet [Patella vulgata], the dogwhelk [Nucella lapillus] and the anemone [Actinia equina]. [Ostrea edulis] may occur on the lowest part of the shore. There are few infaunal samples for this biotope, hence the characterising species list below shows only epifauna. Where infaunal samples have been collected for this biotope, they contain a highly diverse range of species including nematodes, [Anaitides mucosa], [Hediste diversicolor], [Polydora] spp., [Pygospio elegans], [Eteone longa], oligochaetes such as [Tubificoides] spp., [Semibalanus balanoides], a range of gammarid amphipods, [Corophium volutator], [Jaera forsmani], [Crangon crangon], [Carcinus maenas], [Hydrobia ulvae] and [Macoma balthica].
Situation: On more exposed, predominantly rocky shores this biotope can be found below a band of ephemeral green seaweeds (unit A2.821). On sheltered, predominantly rocky shores either a [F. vesiculosus] dominated biotope or a biotope dominated by the wrack [Ascophyllum nodosum] (units A1.3132; A1.3142) can be found above or the barnacle dominated biotope (A1.1133). This biotope is also found in lower shore tide-swept areas, such as in the tidal narrows of Scottish sealochs.
Temporal variation: Under sheltered conditions, pseudofaeces may build up over time, creating a layer of mud and changing the biotope to unit A2.7213. Where the stability of the mussed bed depends on the mussels being attached to stable cobbles, a build-up of mud from pseudofaeces may prevent this attachment, making the mussel bed unstable and liable to be washed away during storms.


description:
This sub-biotope occurs on mid to lower shore sand and muddy sand. Mussels [Mytilus edulis] grow attached to shell debris and live cockles [Cerastoderma edule], forming patches of mussels on consolidated shell material, and often growing into extensive beds. The mussel valves are usually encrusted with barnacles such as [Elminius modestus] and [Semibalanus balanoides], and the mussel bed provides a habitat for a range of species including [Littorina littorea]. The sediment infaunal community is usually rich and very similar to that of cockle beds (A2.242), including cockles [Cerastoderma edule], the baltic tellin [Macoma balthica], and a range of burrowing crustaceans and polychaetes typical for A2.242. Further species may be present are the sand mason [Lanice conchilega], the sand gaper [Mya arenaria], the peppery furrow shell [Scrobicularia plana], [Nephtys] spp., and the ragworm [Hediste diversicolor]. Scattered fronds of eelgrass [Zostera noltii] may occur.
Situation: This biotope often occurs in large sandy estuaries, or on enclosed shores, alongside other sand and muddy sand biotopes, most notably unit A2.242. It is possible that Lanice beds (unit A2.245) occur lower down on the shore.
Temporal variation: Where this sub-biotope occurs in very sheltered conditions on muddy sand, it could change to A2.7213 over time as pseudofaeces build up forming a layer of mud. This cannot happen where wave action or tidal streams wash away pseudofaeces and prevent a build up. In areas where mussel spat ("mussel crumble") settles on the surface shell layer of cockle beds, the mussel cover may be ephemeral, as is the case in the Burry Inlet (south Wales, UK).


description:
Peatlands, flushes and vegetated springs with moderately acid ground water, within valley mires or on hillsides. As in the rich fens, the water level is at or near the surface of the substratum and peat formation depends on a permanently high watertable. Poor-fen vegetation is typically dominated by small sedges ([Carex canescens], [Carex echinata], [Carex nigra], [Eriophorum angustifolium], [Eriophorum scheuchzeri], [Trichophorum cespitosum]), with pleurocarpous mosses ([Calliergonella cuspidata], [Calliergon sarmentosum], [Calliergon stramineum], [Drepanocladus exannulatus], [Drepanocladus fluitans]) or sphagna ([Sphagnum cuspidatum], [Sphagnum papillosum], [Sphagnum recurvum agg]., [Sphagnum russowii], [Sphagnum subsecundum agg].). Other characteristic vascular plants are [Agrostis canina], [Cardamine pratensis], [Juncus filiformis], [Ranunculus flammula] and [Viola palustris]. Soft-water spring mires (D2.2C) are often dominated by [Montia fontana] or bryophytes ([Bryum] spp., [Philonotis] spp., [Pohlia] spp.). Excluded are the water body of soft-water springs (C2.1), and incompletely terrestrialized fringing vegetation (C3.2) or vegetation rafts (D2.3).


description:
Swards of [Eriophorum scheuchzeri] of Palaearctic boreal fens and of acidic lake shores in the Alps and the eastern Carpathians.


description:
Almost pure swards of [Eriophorum scheuchzeri] fringing small, cold, acidic lakes above the tree limit in the Alps and the Eastern Carpathians. They are related to both the boreal communities of unit D2.212 and to the arctoboreal marsh-fens of unit D4.261.


description:
[Eriophorum scheuchzeri]-dominated fen swards of boreal regions of the Palaearctic domaine, in particular of subalpine to middle alpine levels of the boreoalpine and arctoalpine mountains of Fennoscandia, dominated by [Eriophorum scheuchzeri] associated with a continuous brown moss carpet mostly of [Drepanocladus exannulatus], with [Philonotis fontana], occupying often snow-patch covered, waterlogged substrates. [Carex lachenalii] is characteristic in Fennoscandia; the vascular plant cortège may also include [Calamagrostis stricta], [Cardamine pratensis], [Carex bigelowii], [Deschampsia cespitosa], [Equisetum arvense], [Eriophorum angustifolium], [Juncus biglumis], [Koenigia islandica], [Omalotheca supina] ([Gnaphalium supinum]), [Poa pratensis], [Ranunculus reptans], [Salix herbacea], [Saxifraga stellaris].


description:
Acidic fen communities of middle Europe, the Alpine system, the Pyrenees and northern Iberia, rich in [Carex nigra], [Carex canescens], [Carex echinata], often accompanied by [Eriophorum angustifolium] and [Juncus] spp., with a muscinal layer of brown mosses, sphagna or both.


hname:
Peri-Alpine black-white-star and tall bog sedge fens

description:
Acidophilous small sedge communities of the Alps, the Alpine periphery and the greater Hercynian ranges, including the Bohemian Quadrangle, the Black Forest, the Vosges and the Central Massif.


description:
Acidophilous small sedge communities of the alpine and subalpine levels of the Alps and Alpine periphery, including the greater Hercynian ranges of the Bohemian Quadrangle, the Black Forest, the Vosges, the Central Massif, occupying wet gentle slopes and plateaux where melt water lingers or encircling small lakes on the landward, usually emerged, side of the [Eriophorum scheuchzeri] girdle. The sward is formed by [Carex nigra], [Carex canescens], [Carex echinata], [Juncus filiformis] variously accompanied by [Eriophorum angustifolium], [Carex magellanica], [Carex lachenalii], [Carex norvegica], [Carex panicea], [Carex demissa], [Phleum alpinum], [Agrostis canina], [Viola palustris], [Parnassia palustris], [Pedicularis palustris]; the moss layer is formed by [Scapania paludosa], [Paludella squarrosa], [Drepanocladus exannulatus], [Drepanocladus revolvens], [Drepanocladus intermedius], [Calliergon stramineum], [Calliergon sarmentosum], [Willemetia stipitata], [Sphagnum recurvum].


description:
Acidophilous small sedge communities of the alpine and subalpine levels of the central Alps dominated by [Carex magellanica].


description:
Acidic fen communities of lowland, collinar and montane areas of western and northern Central Europe, excluding the British Isles and the Iberian peninsula, extending eastward in the Baltic plain to Lithuania. [Carex nigra], [Carex canescens] and [Carex echinata] are always represented, often accompanied by dispersed [Carex rostrata]. Rushes, [Juncus filiformis], [Juncus articulatus], [Juncus acutiflorus], [Juncus effusus], may be numerous, often marking the transition towards humid grasslands of the [Molinietalia], the moss layer is formed by [Sphagnum apiculatum], [Sphagnum cuspidatum], [Sphagnum recurvum] and [Polytrichum commune] in the more oligotrophic, acidic sites, by brown mosses [Drepanocladus fluitans], [Calliergon stramineum], [Calliergon cuspidatum], in more mesotrophic situations. Other characteristic species include [Eriophorum angustifolium], [Eriophorum vaginatum], [Agrostis canina], [Molinia caerulea], [Pedicularis palustris], [Viola palustris], [Parnassia palustris], [Comarum palustre], [Drosera rotundifolia], [Menyanthes trifoliata], [Ranunculus flammula] and [Willemetia stipitata]. Included in this unit are the extensive peatlands of Hercynian valley fens, often invaded by rushes, and with characters both of the transition mires and of the humid grasslands.


description:
Sedge-dominated acidic fen formations in which [Carex canescens], accompanied by [Agrostis canina], is often the most abundant, with a brown moss layer that can sometimes be very partial; [Carex nigra], [Carex echinata] and [Carex magellanica] facies also occur.


description:
Acidic fen formations in which [Carex nigra], [Carex canescens], [Carex echinata] and sometimes [Carex rostrata] are accompanied by, and sometimes dominated by, abundant rushes, in particular [Juncus filiformis] and [Juncus acutiflorus], and with a pleurocarpic moss layer.


description:
Sphagnum peatlands in which the herbaceous sward is formed by [Carex nigra], [Carex canescens], [Carex echinata] and [Carex rostrata], generally with [Eriophorum angustifolium] and [Eriophorum vaginatum]. These very wet formations are closely related to transition mires.


description:
Sphagnum peatlands in which the herbaceous sward is formed by [Carex nigra], [Carex canescens], [Carex echinata], [Carex rostrata] and abundant rushes, in particular [Juncus filiformis] and [Juncus acutiflorus], generally with [Eriophorum angustifolium] and [Eriophorum vaginatum]. These formations are often related to wet grasslands.


description:
Sphagnum peatlands in which the herbaceous sward is formed by [Agrostis canina ssp. stolonifera], often with [Carex rostrata] or [Eriophorum angustifolium]; the muscinal layer being usually formed by [Sphagnum recurvum] with [Polytrichum commune].


hname:
British black-white-star sedge acidic fens

description:
Acidic sphagnum fens of the British Isles in which the herbaceous sward is formed by [Carex echinata], [Carex canescens], [Carex nigra] or [Carex rostrata] and sometimes [Juncus effusus], [Juncus acutiflorus] or [Nardus stricta].


description:
[Carex] acidic fens of the Pyrenees, mostly dominated by [Carex nigra], with [Carex echinata] or [Carex panicea], very similar to those of the Alps, in particular to the floristically rather impoverished southwestern Alpine communities, sometimes dominated by [Carex rostrata], with [Carex canescens] ([Carex curta]) or [Carex echinata] and [Agrostis canina].


description:
[Carex nigra ssp. carpetana]-dominated communities of acid infra-aquatic peat mires of the montane and subalpine levels of the Cordillera Cantabrica and of the cryo-Mediterranean level of the Cordillera Central.


description:
Rupicolous communities, colonizing, in particular, deep cracks and ledges of calcaro-siliceous rocky slopes or cliffs, with, notably, [Festuca heteropachys], [Artemisia campestris], [Aster linosyris], [Lychnis viscaria], [Potentilla rupestris]. The range of these formations is centreed on the Hercynian ranges of middle Germany (notably Rhine, Nahe, Moselle, Mainz valleys and Hartz periphery), extending east to the Bohemian basin, west to Alsace and to extremely rare and isolated outposts in Ardenne valleys of Luxembourg, Belgium and France, where they are represented by [Festuca heteropachys] or [Potentilla rupestris] grasslands.


hname:
Central European calcaro-siliceous sand grasslands

description:
Closed, perennial communities of slightly calcareous sands of northern and western Central Europe, and of northern Eastern Europe, characteristic, in particular, of old riverine dunes and morainal hills, with [Armeria elongata], [Festuca trachyphylla], [Sedum sexangulare], [Carex ligerica], [Helichrysum arenarium]. Best represented in the dunal system of the large rivers of Central Europe, in particular the Weser, the Aller, the Elbe, the Oder, the Vistula, the Bugu, the Narwi, of the morainal hills of the Baltic plain of Mecklenburg-Pomerania, of Brandenburg and of Poland and Lithuania, of the Main sands of Franconia and of the Bohemian basin, these formations extend west to the fluviatile district of the Netherlands, and east to Polesia, Lithuania and northwestern Russia, south to the upper Rhine sand flats and the Bavarian Plateau.


hname:
Calcicline Central European sand grasslands

description:
Closed, perennial communities of moderately calcareous stabilised sands of northern and western Central Europe and northern Eastern Europe, with [Armeria elongata], [Festuca trachyphylla], [Dianthus carthusianorum], [Silene otites], [Phleum boehmeri], [Koeleria gracilis], [Centaurea rhenana], [Chondrilla juncea], [Asperula cynanchica], [Eryngium campestre], [Sedum sexangulare], [Helichrysum arenarium].


hname:
Acidocline Central European sand grasslands

description:
Closed, perennial communities of acidocline stabilised sands of northern and western Central Europe and northern Eastern Europe, with [Armeria elongata], [Festuca trachyphylla], [Dianthus deltoides], [Helichrysum arenarium], [Vicia lathyroides], [Chondrilla juncea], [Hieracium pilosella].


hname:
Substabilised Central European sand grasslands

description:
Moderately closed, perennial communities of loose slightly calcareous sands of northern and western Central Europe and northern Eastern Europe, with [Corynephorus canescens], [Silene tatarica], [Petasites spurius], [Plantago indica].


description:
Subcontinental xeric, thermophile grasslands of middle European collinar rock ledges, mostly dominated by the strong tufts of the glaucous [Festuca pallens], [Festuca sadlerana] and [Festuca pannonica] and of the green [Sesleria albicans], and with [Dianthus gratianopolitanus], [Carex humilis], [Melica ciliata], [Aster alpinus], [Artemisia campestris ssp. lednicensis], [Hieracium] spp., [Biscutella laevigata ssp. varia], [Teucrium botrys], [Teucrium montanum], [Helianthemum canum], [Iris aphylla], [Allium strictum], [Allium senescens ssp. montanum], locally distributed from French Jura and Rhine valley to sub-Pannonic foothils and Carpathians in Romania. The communities of the [Festucion pallescentis] often occupy isolated stations and include rare or relictual species which impart to many of them a distinctive biogeographical and physiognomic individuality. In particular, rare and highly disjunct western outposts occur in the Meuse basin of the Belgian and French Ardennes, harbouring, among others, very isolated populations of [Draba aizoides var. montana], [Artemisia alba ssp. saxatilis] and [Hieracium vogesiacum].


description:
Central European calcicolous subcontinental rock-ledge grasslands of orogenous affinities, montane or submontane with a strong representation of species characteristic of higher-altitude communities, often occupying stations of comparatively cool microclimate.


hname:
Dealpine calciphile pale fescue grasslands

description:
Calciphile rock ledge grasslands rich in dealpine species of northern exposures in the collinar and submontane levels of the eastern and southern periphery of the Alps and the Carpathians, with relict occurrences in the Bohemian basin, southern Moravia and the Central Hungarian Range.


description:
Calciphile rock ledge grasslands of the eastern Alpine periphery dominated by [Stipa eriocaulis].


hname:
Peri-Alpine blue moorgrass rock grasslands

description:
Calciphile rock ledge grasslands of the eastern Alpine periphery and inner valleys, dominated by [Sesleria albicans] ([Sesleria calcarea]), [Festuca pallens], [Festuca rupicola], [Koeleria pyramidata], [Brachypodium rupestre], [Carex humilis], [Seseli austriacum], [Teucrium montanum].


description:
Calciphile rock ledge grasslands rich in dealpine species of northern exposures in the collinar and submontane levels of the southern spurs of the Northwestern Carpathians of Moravia and southern Slovakia, of the Pavlov Hills of southern Moravia and the northern Weinviertel of Austria.


hname:
Pannonic [Sesleria sadleriana] rock grasslands

description:
Relict primary calciphile closed rock grasslands of northern exposures of dolomite hills of the central part of the Hungarian Central Range and of the Austrian Hainburger Bergen, developed on shallow rendzinas, dominated by [Sesleria sadleriana ssp. sadleriana], endemic to the region, with [Carex humilis], [Genista pilosa], [Hieracium danubiale], [Asplenium ruta-muraria], [Draba lasiocarpa], [Poa badensis], [Alyssum saxatile], [Dianthus lumnitzeri], [Thalictrum foetidum], [Sempervivum schlehanii], [Saxifraga aizoon], [Ceterach officinarum], [Homalothecium lutescens], [Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus].


description:
North-facing slope rock-ledge grasslands of the Bohemian basin, in particular, of the Bohemian Karst and the Bohemian Central Range, with [Sesleria albicans], [Anthyllis vulneraria], [Vincetoxicum hirundinaria], [Primula veris], [Scabiosa columbaria], [Carex digitata], [Lembotropis nigricans].


hname:
East Carpathian [Sesleria rigida] grasslands

description:
Calciphile rock-ledge grasslands of the montane level of the eastern Carpathian system, locally extending to the collinar and subalpine levels, dominated by [Sesleria rigida], [Festuca xanthina] or [Helictotrichon decorum], with [Asperula capitata], [Dianthus spiculifolius], [Dianthus kitaibelii], [Carduus candicans], [Iris reichenbachii], [Jovibarba heuffelii], [Sempervivum zeleborii], [Seseli gracile], [Seseli rigidum], [Thalictrum uncinatum], [Viola jooi].


description:
Central European subcontinental xero-thermophile grasslands of calcareous or weakly calcareous sunny collinar rock ledges. In the peri-Pannonic and peri-Alpine region, where they are in contact with communities of unit E1.291, they occupy stations with a warmer, drier microclimate, in particular south-facing slopes.


hname:
Peri-Hercynian calcicline pale fescue grasslands

description:
Rock-ledge grasslands of the French, Swiss, Swabian, Franconian and Little Polish Jura, of the central Hercynian ranges, of the middle German Saale-Mulde basin, of the Bohemian basin, of the Pieniny, of the Bavarian Plateau, developed on mussel limestones, dolomites, porphyrios, basalts, schists and sometimes serpentines, with [Dianthus gratianopolitanus], [Festuca pallens], [Stipa bavarica], [Stipa eriocaulis], [Stipa joannis], [Poa badensis], [Melica ciliata], [Carex humilis], [Dracocephalum austriacum], [Campanula sibirica], [Minuartia setacea], [Fumana procumbens], [Helianthemum canum], [Pulsatilla grandis], [Scorzonera austriaca], [Teucrium montanum], [Seseli hippomarathrum] and local [Hieracium] species, including [Hieracium bifidum], [Hieracium schmidtii], [Hieracium wiesbaurianum], [Hieracium onosmoides].


hname:
Circum-Pannonic calcicline pale fescue grasslands

description:
Species-rich xero-thermophile subcontinental rock-ledge grasslands of the western and southern periphery of the Carpathian arc in northeastern Austria, southern Moravia, Slovakia, northern Hungary and western Romania, developed on rendzinas over limestones or dolomite on south-facing steep slopes with extreme conditions of insolation, temperature variation and evaporation.


description:
[Oreochloa disticha]-dominated formations of the Alps, developed in particular in the northern Alps (Allg„u) and northeastern Alps.


description:
[Oreochloa disticha] ([Sesleria disticha])-dominated formations of high altitudes on shallow podsolic siliceous soils of windswept crests and shaded slopes of the Carpathians.


description:
Formations of the Carpathians, of the Bohemian Forest, including the Bayerischer Wald, of the Sudeten and of the eastern Alps, dominated by [Juncus trifidus], with [Agrostis rupestris], [Carex rigida], [Festuca airoides] ([Festuca supina]), [Pulsatilla alpina], [Senecio carpathicus], [Hieracium alpinum], [Polytrichum piliferum], [Racomitrium canescens], [Thamnolia vermicularis], [Cetraria cucullata], [Cetraria islandica], [Cetraria nivalis].


hname:
Bohemian Forest [Juncus trifidus] swards

description:
Formations of the Bohemian Forest, including the Bayerischer Wald, dominated by [Juncus trifidus].


description:
Formations of the Sudeten dominated by [Juncus trifidus].


description:
Swards dominated by [Juncus trifidus] of high, windswept exposures of subalpine and alpine levels of the northern and eastern Carpathians.


hname:
Northern Carpathian [Juncus trifidus] swards

description:
Widespread, physiognomically striking, [Juncus trifidus]-dominated formations of the high altitudes of the northern Carpathians, with [Oreochloa disticha], [Avenula versicolor] ([Avenastrum versicolor]), [Hieracium alpinum], [Pulsatilla alpina], [Senecio carpathicus], [Lycopodium selago f. imbricatum].


hname:
Eastern Carpathian [Juncus trifidus] swards

description:
Communities dominated by [Juncus trifidus] with [Oreochloa disticha], [Festuca airoides], [Agrostis rupestris] of windswept summits, ridges and steep slopes of subalpine and alpine levels of the eastern Carpathians.


description:
[Juncus trifidus]-dominated swards of the siliceous inner Alps and of lime-free anomalous stations of the calcareous outer Alps, limited to the central and eastern part of the range in Switzerland and Austria.


description:
[Oreochloa blanka] and [Juncus trifidus] formations of the alpine level of the Cantabrian Range.


description:
[Agrostis rupestris]-dominated siliceous grassland of the Alps, the Carpathians and the Sudeten.


description:
Dense, closed, usually unsculptured, chionophilous grasslands of acid and often deep soils over siliceous or calcareous substrates of the higher mountains of the southern Balkan peninsula, under Mediterranean climate influence, including the southern Pelagonides (Vermion), the Pindus of Greece and southern Albania, the Thessalian and the Peloponnese mountains; they develop on decalcified colluvions, on damp soils of seeps or poorly drained areas, and in depressions and other situations where snow lingers. Characteristic are [Alopecurus gerardii], [Poa pumila], [Anthoxanthum alpinum], [Phleum alpinum], [Nardus stricta], [Bellardiochloa violacea] ([Poa violacea]), [Trisetum flavescens], [Trifolium pallescens], [Trifolium parnassi], [Trifolium heldreichianum], [Trifolium alpestre], [Trifolium ottonis], [Omalotheca supina], [Omalotheca hoppeana], [Herniaria parnassica], [Ranunculus sartorianus], [Lotus corniculatus], [Thesium parnassi], [Plantago lanceolata], [Plantago atrata], [Plantago holosteum], [Scleranthus perennis], [Rorippa thracica], [Erigeron epiroticus], [Acinos alpinus], [Luzula pindica], [Crocus veluchensis], [Scilla nivalis], [Corydalis densiflora], [Corydalis parnassica], [Beta nana], [Trinia guicciardii], [Botrychium lunaria].


description:
Cryoro- and oro-Mediterranean grasslands of acid substrates in the higher mountain ranges of the Iberian peninsula.


description:
Thermophile, open, stripped and garland fescue grasslands of siliceous upper slopes and summits of the high Mediterranean mountains of the Iberian peninsula, locally extending into the Euro-Siberian domaine in the subalpine level of the Cantabrian mountains.


description:
[Festuca indigesta] and [Festuca eskia] grasslands of the oro-Mediterranean, cryoro-Mediterranean and subalpine levels of the Cantabrian mountains and other high mountains of the northwest.


hname:
Iberian Range acidophilous stripped grasslands

description:
[Festuca indigesta] grasslands of the oro- and cryoro-Mediterranean levels of the Iberian Range.


description:
[Festuca indigesta] and [Festuca summilusitana] grasslands of the oro- and cryoro-Mediterranean levels of the Cordillera Central (Spain).


hname:
[Laminaria hyperborea] and red seaweeds on exposed vertical rock

description:
On exposed coasts with moderately strong to weak tidal currents generally at depths of 0-10m, vertical rock communities dominated by frequent [Laminaria hyperborea] and its commonly associated red seaweeds [Delesseria sanguinea], [Cryptopleura ramosa] and [Plocamium cartilagineum] can be found. Within this biotope the jewel anemone [Corynactis viridis] is frequently found in dense aggregations attached to the vertical rock surface. This biotope contains 5 sub-biotopes, distinguished by their biogeography. On the west coast of Scotland, the Northern Isles and the Isle of Man on extremely exposed coasts a variant of this biotope characterised by frequent [Metridium senile] and occasional [Sagartia elegans] can be found. Further south on the west coast of Ireland, southern Scotland, Wales, and south west England a second variant characterised by frequent [Alcyonium digitatum] and occasional [Cliona celata] can be distinguished. A third variant has been recorded from Northern Ireland characterised by the red seaweeds [Lithophyllum] and [Ptilota gunneri], the sea squirt [Dendrodoa grossularia] and the bryozoan [Membranipora membranacea]. South from the Isle of Man, on the Welsh Coast, and on the south west and southern English coasts a fourth variant of this biotope is found, which is characterised by the barnacle [Balanus crenatus], which may be more frequent in this sub-biotope, and the rarity of [Alcyonium digitatum], a species which is more frequent in other variants. This variant has mainly been recorded in shallow water (0-5m). The final biogeographic variant of this biotope is, as with the previous variant, found on the coasts of Wales and south west England. It can be distinguished from the previous variant by the frequent [Diplosoma listerianum] and occasional [Lissoclinum perforatum], although these species are not always present.
Situation: Open rocky coasts of the south-west, west and north-west.


hname:
Turf of articulated [Corallinaceae] on exposed to sheltered infralittoral bedrock and boulders


hname:
Sediment-affected or disturbed kelp and seaweed communities

description:
Infralittoral rock habitats, subject to disturbance through mobility of the substratum (boulders or cobbles) or abrasion/covering by nearby coarse sediments or suspended particulate matter (sand). The associated communities can be quite variable in character, depending on the particular conditions, which prevail. The typical [Laminaria hyperborea] and red seaweed communities of stable open coast rocky habitats (A3.21) are replaced by those, which include more ephemeral species or those tolerant of sand and gravel abrasion. As such [Laminaria saccharina], [Saccorhiza polyschides] or [Halidrys siliquosa] may be prominant components of the community.


hname:
[Saccorhiza polyschides] and other opportunistic kelps on disturbed upper infralittoral rock

description:
Exposed low-lying reefs in the sublittoral fringe or upper infralittoral (generally above 5m depth), mainly in the southwest and west, dominated by the kelp [Saccorhiza polyschides]. This opportunistic coloniser replaces [Laminaria digitata] or [Laminaria hyperborea] as the dominant kelp, following 'disturbance' of the canopy. This may be the result of storms, when loose sediment and even cobbles or boulders are mobilised, scouring most seaweeds and animals from the surrounding rock. As [S. polyschides] is essentially a summer annual (occasionally it lasts into a second year), it is also particularly common close to rock/sand interfaces which become too scoured during winter months to prevent the longer-living kelps from surviving. As a result of the transient nature of this biotope, its composition is varied; it may contain several other kelp species, including [L. digitata], [Laminaria saccharina] and [Alaria esculenta], at varying abundances. [Laminaria] spp. sporelings can also be a prominent feature of the site. Beneath the kelp, (scour-tolerant) red seaweeds including [Corallina officinalis], [Kallymenia reniformis], [Plocamium cartilagineum], [Chondrus crispus], [Dilsea carnosa] and encrusting coralline algae are often present. Foliose red seaweeds such as [Callophyllis laciniata], [Cryptopleura ramosa] and [Palmaria palmata] also occur in this biotope. [P. palmata] and [Delesseria sanguinea] often occur as epiphytes on the stipes of [L. hyperborea], when it is present. The foliose green seaweed [Ulva] spp. is fast to colonise newly cleared areas of rock and is often present along with the foliose brown seaweed [Dictyota dichotoma]. Due to the disturbed nature of this biotope, fauna are generally sparse, being confined to encrusting bryozoans and/or sponges, such as [Halichondria panicea] and the gastropod [Gibbula cineraria].
Situation: On some shores (for example in Cornwall and south-west Ireland), [S. polyschides] competes so effectively with the other laminarians that it forms a well-defined zone in shallow water, between the [L. digitata] (unit A3.3131) and [L. hyperborea] zones (units A3.115 and A3.214). Elsewhere, it is found at sites that have been physically disturbed, removing areas of established kelp ([L. hyperborea]) thus allowing this opportunistic biotope to develop over a short space of time.
Temporal variation: There may be significant variations in this biotope over time, as by its very nature, it is dominated by many fast-growing annual seaweeds. The foliose green seaweed [Ulva] sp. is fast to colonise newly cleared areas of rock and can be present as a dense growth on the rock around the [Saccorhiza polyschides]. Similarly, large patches of [Laminaria] spp. sporelings may be present at times.


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina] and/or [Saccorhiza polyschides] on exposed infralittoral rock

description:
A forest or park of the fast-growing, opportunistic kelps [Laminaria saccharina] and/or [Saccorhiza polyschides] often occurs on seasonally unstable boulders or sand/pebble scoured infralittoral rock. The substratum varies from large boulders in exposed areas to smaller boulders and cobbles in areas of moderate wave exposure or nearby bedrock. In these cases, movement of the substratum during winter storms prevents a longer-lived forest of [Laminaria hyperborea] from becoming established. This biotope also develops on bedrock where it is affected by its close proximity to unstable substrata. Other fast-growing brown seaweeds such as [Desmarestia viridis], [Desmarestia aculeata, Cutleria multifida] and [Dictyota dichotoma] are often present. Some [L. hyperborea] plants may occur in this biotope, but they are typically small since the plants do not survive many years. The kelp stipes are usually epiphytised by red seaweeds such as [Delesseria sanguinea] and [Phycodrys rubens]. Other red seaweeds present beneath the kelp canopy include [Plocamium cartilagineum, Nitophyllum punctatum], [Callophyllis laciniata] and [Cryptopleura ramosa]. Encrusting algae often form a prominent cover on the rock surfaces, including red, brown and coralline crusts. Faunal richness and diversity is generally low compared to the more stable [L. hyperborea] kelp forest and park communities (A3.115). Where some protection is afforded the anthozoan [Alcyonium digitata] can occur in addition to the more robust species such as the tube-building worm [Pomatoceros triqueter]. Mobile species include the to shell [Gibbula cineraria] and [Calliostoma zizyphinum] and the sea urchin [Echinus esculentus]. The hydroid [Obelia geniculata] and the bryozoan [Membranipora membranacea] can often be found colonising the kelp fronds.
Situation: This biotope can be found below the [L. hyperborea] zone (units A3.113 or A3.115), especially where close to a rock/ sand interface (where it is subject to sand/pebble scour in winter). Where this biotope occurs on bedrock, not scoured by mobile sediment, it is thought to occur as a result of intense wave action in winter storms which is too severe to allow [L. hyperborea] to develop and remain in shallow water.
Temporal variation: Due to the disturbed nature of this biotope there can be significant changes in the structure of the community. Coralline and brown algal crusts with sparse kelp plants generally dominate areas that have been recently disturbed. Diversity is low and a few species of fast-growing seaweeds can dominate the seabed. A longer established community will have larger, mixed kelp plants and a greater diversity of red seaweeds.


hname:
[Laminaria saccharina], [Chorda filum] and dense red seaweeds on shallow unstable infralittoral boulders and cobbles

description:
Seasonally disturbed unstable boulders and cobbles in very shallow water dominated by the fast-growing brown seaweed [Chorda filum] together with the kelp [Laminaria saccharina]. The brown seaweed [Desmarestia aculeata] is also typical of this disturbed environment as well encrusting coralline algae and brown crusts. Beneath the prolific growth of [C. filum], red and brown seaweeds densely cover many of the boulders, cobbles and pebbles. Other sediment-tolerant seaweeds such as species from the Ectocarpales (brown filamentous seaweeds) and the red seaweeds [Chondrus crispus], [Phyllophora pseudoceranoides], [Dilsea carnosa] and [Corallina officinalis] is normally present. Other red seaweeds which can be found here include [Chondria dasyphylla], [Brongniartella byssoides], [Polysiphonia elongata], [Ceramium nodolosum], [Cystoclonium purpureum, Heterosiphonia plumosa], [Rhodomela confervoides] and [Plocamium cartilagineum]. The brown seaweeds [Punctaria] sp. and [Cladostephus spongiosus] are generally present. The faunal component of this biotope is typically sparse - the starfish [Asterias rubens] and the crabs [Pagurus] [bernhardus] and [Necora puber] are amongst the most conspicuous animals. The bryozoan crust [Electra pilosa] colonise many of the algae along with the ascidian [Botryllus schlosseri]. Occasional the polychaete [Lanice conchilega] may occur in the sand between pebbles, and the anthozoan [Urticina felina] may be found amongst pockets of gravel along with the gastropod [Gibbula cineraria]. At some sites the rock beneath the algae can be occupied by the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter]. This biotope is also present at other open coast sites around the UK where suitable shallow, seasonally stable boulders, cobbles and pebbles occur. Typical examples of this biotope occur on the shallowest areas of the Sarns in Cardigan Bay, Wales, where reef crests are formed by embedded and mobile boulders, together with cobbles and pebbles in between (typically at 2-3m depth).
Situation: This biotope occurs in shallow water, often on the crest of an infralittoral boulder/cobble bank and as such will not have any biotope 'above' it. More mobile areas of smaller boulders, cobbles and pebbles nearby may support dense ephemeral red seaweeds (unit A2.82) or robust scour-tolerant red seaweeds on sand-covered rock (unit A3.127). The [Halidrys siliquosa] biotope (unit A3.126) also thrives under similar conditions, extending deeper than the shallow A3.123 biotope. Deeper still in the circalittoral zone encrusting fauna is found on highly mobile mixed substrata (A5.141). At a few sites, this biotope can occur within more extensive maerl beds (A5.51) but more commonly is surrounded by sandy sediments (A5.2).
Temporal variation: This biotope will change markedly with the seasons. During the winter months boulders and cobbles will be storm battered and overturned and much of the biota dislodged from the rocks. During more stable conditions in the late spring and summer months the fast-growing seaweeds that characterise this biotope ([C. filum] and [L. saccharina] in particular) will be quick to re-establish, growing at a phenomenal rate. The seasonal disturbance of the substratum prevents a stable [Laminaria hyperborea] forest from developing.


hname:
Dense [Desmarestia] spp. with filamentous red seaweeds on exposed infralittoral cobbles, pebbles and bedrock

description:
Wave-exposed seasonally mobile substrata (pebbles, cobbles) dominated by dense stands of the brown seaweed [Desmarestia aculeata] and/or [Desmarestia ligulata]. Infralittoral pebbles and cobbles that are scoured through mobility during storms, but become stable in the summer allowing the growth of such algae as [Desmarestia] spp. Filamentous red seaweeds such [as Bonnemaisonia asparagoides] and [Brongniartella byssoides] are usually present. Stunted individuals of the kelp such as [Laminaria hyperborea] and [Laminaria saccharina] may be present where bedrock is available. A variety of foliose red seaweeds such as [Cryptopleura ramosa, Chondrus crispus], [Plocamium cartilagineum, Hypoglossum hypoglossoides] and [Nitophyllum punctatum] may on occasion be present underneath the kelp canopy. Other red algae including [Corallina officinalis], [Rhodomela confervoides] and coralline crusts including [Lithothamnion] spp. may be present as well as well as the foliose brown seaweed [Dictyota dichotoma] and the green [Enteromorpha intestinalis]. Due to the nature of this biotope the faunal component is very impoverished though the gastropod [Gibbula cineraria] can be found among the cobbles.
Situation: Often a narrow zone on mixed substrata below a stable zone of kelp on bedrock. Where seasonally mobile substrata affect nearby bedrock this biotope may occur in place of kelp forest.


hname:
Mixed kelps with scour-tolerant and opportunistic foliose red seaweeds on scoured or sand-covered infralittoral rock

description:
Bedrock and boulders, often in tide-swept areas, that are subject to scouring or periodic burial by sand, characterised by a canopy of mixed kelps such as [Laminaria saccharina], [Laminaria hyperborea] and [Saccorhiza polyschides] and the brown seaweed [Desmarestia aculeata]; there may also be an understorey of foliose seaweeds that can withstand scour such as [Plocamium cartilagineum, Chondrus crispus, Dilsea carnosa], [Callophyllis laciniata] as well as the filamentous [Heterosiphonia plumosa] and the foliose brown seaweed [Dictyota dichotoma]. The perennial red seaweed [Brongniartella byssoides] re-grows in the summer months. The [L. hyperborea] stipes often support a growth of epiphytes, such as [Delesseria sanguinea], [Phycodrys rubens] and [Cryptopleura ramosa]. The scour can reduce the rock surface to bare coralline crusts at times; sponge crusts and the colonial ascidian [Botryllus schlosseri] can also grow on the stipes and holdfasts. The faunal diversity on the rock is usually low and restricted to robust, low-profile animals such as the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter], the barnacle [Balanus crenatus], encrusting bryozoans such as [Membranipora membranacea], the anthozoan [Urticina felina], the starfish [Asterias rubens] and the urchin [Echinus esculentus]. Deeper sites support more hydroids and bryozoans, particularly [Bugula] spp. Where this biotope occurs in very shallow water [Laminaria digitata] may be found in combination with the other kelp species. Other species present only in shallow water include the red algae [Corallina officinalis] and the sand-binding alga [Rhodothamniella floridula].
Situation: This biotope often occurs below a [L. hyperborea] forest (unit A3.1151, A3.2141 or A3.2121), close to a rock-sediment boundary. It is also found on low-lying rock outcrops surrounded by sand or mixed sediment and nearby biotopes on mixed substrata may include units A1.45, A3.127 or in very shallow water A3.123. A [Flustra foliacea] community (A4.134) often dominates deeper sand-scoured circalittoral rock.
Temporal variation: During late autumn and winter seaweeds are sparse, leaving predominantly kelp and encrusting coralline algae. This is due in part to periods of intense scouring during stormy months, which may strip off all but the most tenacious seaweeds. In addition there will be the natural die back of many of the seaweeds such as [B. byssoides] and [C. ciliata] during the winter months which become conspicuous again during the summer months.


hname:
[Halidrys siliquosa] and mixed kelps on tide-swept infralittoral rock with coarse sediment

description:
Tide-swept boulders and cobbles, often with a mobile component to the substrata (pebbles, gravel and sand), characterised by dense stands of the brown seaweed [Halidrys siliquosa]. It is can be mixed with the foliose brown seaweed [Dictyota dichotoma] and kelp such as [Laminaria saccharina] and [Laminaria hyperborea]. Below the canopy is an undergrowth of red seaweeds that are tolerant of sand-scour such as [Phyllophora crispa, Phyllophora pseudoceranoides, Rhodomela confervoides, Corallina officinalis] and [Chondrus crispus]. Other red seaweeds such as [Plocamium cartilagineum], [Calliblepharis ciliata], [Cryptopleura ramosa], [Delesseria sanguinea], [Heterosiphonia plumosa, Dilsea carnosa, Hypoglossum hypoglossoides] and [Brongniartella byssoides] may be locally abundant, particularly in the summer months. There may be a rich epibiota on [H. siliquosa], including the hydroid [Aglaophenia pluma], ascidians such as [Botryllus schlosseri]. There is generally a sparse faunal component colonising the boulders and cobbles, comprising the tube-building polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter], the crab [Cancer pagurus], the starfish [Asterias rubens], the gastropod [Gibbula cineraria] and the sea anthozoan [Urticina felina]. The bryozoan [Electra pilosa] can form colonies on the kelp.
Situation: This unit can occur below the tide-swept [Laminaria digitata] zone of the sublittoral fringe bedrock or boulders (unit A3.221). Less stable substrata of boulders, cobbles or pebbles may support kelp and [Chorda filum] in the shallows (A3.123) or dense ephemeral seaweeds (unit A1.45). Sand-influenced rocky outcrops in deeper water may support a [Flustra foliacea] community (A4.134). This biotope is widespread and is found on the open coast in Wales, the south-west and the English Channel as well as more sheltered tidal rapids in the Scottish sealochs. It can form extensive forests or parks in certain areas (Dorset, Sarns). In Wales, the south-west and west of England the red seaweeds [Spyridia filamentosa] and [Halarachnion ligulatum] and brown seaweeds [Dictyopteris membranacea] and [Taonia atomaria] are frequent. In Scotland, kelp occur at a greater proportion of sites, solitary ascidians such as [Ascidiella] spp. are more common and the featherstar [Antedon bifida] and brittlestars [Ophiothrix fragilis] are found.
Temporal variation: Higher diversity of red seaweeds during the summer.


hname:
[Polyides rotundus], [Ahnfeltia plicata] and [Chondrus crispus] on sand-covered infralittoral rock

description:
Low-lying rock surrounded by mobile sand and often subject to burying by the sand, with a turf of resilient red seaweeds [Chondrus crispus, Polyides rotundus] and [Ahnfeltia plicata] typically protruding through the sand on the upper surfaces of the rock. Other scour-tolerant seaweeds include [Rhodomela confervoides], [Phyllophora pseudoceranoides], [Phyllophora crispa, Furcellaria lumbricalis], [Gracilaria gracilis], [Ceramium rubrum, Plocamium cartilagineum, Heterosiphonia plumosa, Cryptopleura ramosa] and [Dilsea carnosa]. Coralline crusts typically cover the rock, while scattered individuals of the brown seaweeds [Halidrys siliquosa, Cladostephus spongiosus], [Dictyota dichotoma] and [Laminaria saccharina] can be present. The large anthozoan [Urticina felina] can occur in this biotope but there are few other conspicuous animals.
Situation: This biotope occurs on shallow sand-covered rock, often below bedrock and boulders supporting kelp forest, which is above the effect of, sand scour (unit A3.214) or abutting sand-scoured kelp on bedrock (unit A3.125). It may also be found adjacent to the shallow kelp and [Chorda filum] biotope (unit A3.123) and similarly can be surrounded by a variety of sediment biotopes.


hname:
Pontic [Cystoseira barbata] on exposed cobbles, boulders and bedrock mixed with and scoured by sand

description:
The dominant species in the [Cystoseira] biocenosis is the brown alga [Cystoseira barbata], which develops on rocky substrates from the spray zone to a depth of 15 m.  The mass species are: the molluscs [Mytilaster lineatus] and [Rissoa splendida]; the amphipods [Amphythoe vaillanti] and [Caprella acantifera]; and the polychaetes [Grubea clavata].  Other common species include: the polychaetes [Nereis succinea], [Nephthys hombergii] and [Terebellides stroemi]; the molluscs [Cerastoderma glaucum], [Irus irus], [Polititapes aurea], [Donacilla cornea] and [Pitar rudis] (Zaitsev and Alexandrov, 1998).  Along the Romanian shores [Mytilaster lineatus], [Mytilus galloprovincialis] and [Balanus improvisus] are the species occurring with highest frequency within this habitat (which extends until 6 meters depth).  Of these species [Mytilaster] is the most important species in terms of density and biomass amounting to almost 80% of the sessile fauna observed.  The most important macrobenthic taxa amount to 40 species of which 77% amphipods, 9% polichaetes and 8% isopods.  Most frequent amphipods, occurring annually, are [Erichtonius difformis], [Amphitoe vaillanti], [Corophium acherusicum], [Stenothoe monoculoides], [Jassa ocia], [Hyale pontica]. The most frequently occurring isopods are: [Idothea baltica], [Nassa (Dynamena) bidentata], [Synisoma capito].  The most frequently observed polychaetes are [Fabricia clavella] and [Brania clavata] (Tiganus, 1991-1992).


hname:
Mediterranean and Pontic communities of infralittoral algae very exposed to wave action

description:
This community is characterised by the presence of many photophilic algae covering hard bottoms in wave exposed areas.


hname:
Overgrazing facies with incrustant algaes and sea urchins

description:
This facies is characterised by a low coverage of algae due to grazing by sea urchins.


hname:
Sublittoral sand in low or reduced salinity

description:
Shallow sand and muddy sand in areas of low or reduced, although relatively stable salinity (may vary annually), with largely ephemeral faunal communities. The species are often similar to that found in A5.31 and are characterised by [Arenicola marina] with other species, including mysids, tubificoid and enchytraeid oligochaetes, [Corophium volutator], [Hediste diversicolor], [Pygospio elegans], [Hydrobia ulvae] and [Cerastoderma glaucum], which commonly occur in lagoons. Filamentous green algae such as [Chaetomorpha linum] may also be present. In some examples of this biotope the polychaete [Fabricia sabella] may be super-abundant and the isopod [Sphaeroma hookeri] common.


hname:
Baltic level sandy bottoms of the infralittoral photic zone with little or no macrophyte vegetation


hname:
Baltic sand bars of the infralittoral photic zone


hname:
Baltic sand banks of the infralittoral photic zone


hname:
[Macoma balthica] in brackish environment (seasonally ice-covered)


hname:
Sublittoral sand in variable salinity (estuaries)

description:
Clean sands that occur in the upper reaches of marine inlets, especially estuaries, where water movement is moderately strong, allowing the sedimentation of sand but not the finer silt fraction. The habitat typically lacks a significant seaweed component and is characterised by brackish-water tolerant fauna, particularly amphipods, polychaetes and mysid shrimps.


hname:
Infralittoral mobile sand in variable salinity (estuaries)

description:
Very mobile sand in areas of strong tidal currents and variable salinity. No stable community is able to develop within this extremely mobile and abrasive habitat. The fauna encountered in this habitat consists of epifaunal crustaceans or relatively low numbers of robust species, such as the isopod [Eurydice pulchra] or [Mesopodopsis slabberi]. The polychaete [Capitella capitata] may occur frequently in some areas. Other taxa such as the polychaetes [Eteone] spp. and [Arenicola marina], the mysid [Neomysis integer] and the amphipods [Bathyporeia] spp. and [Haustorius arenarius] may also be washed in from adjacent communities. This biotope is found in tidal channels of estuaries and areas where water movement keeps silt and mud in suspension, and excludes even the more robust infauna. If oligochaetes, polychaetes and bivalves are present in any numbers within this habitat type then care must be taken to avoid the inclusion of juvenile or spat recruitment counts which may mask the presence of this biotope. This is particularly relevant as sampling usually occurs at slack water periods when settlement takes place


hname:
[Nephtys cirrosa] and [Macoma balthica] in variable salinity infralittoral mobile sand

description:
Mobile sand in variable salinity conditions where tidal currents create an unstable shifting habitat. Characteristic species include the polychaetes [Nephtys cirrosa] and [Scoloplos armiger] along with amphipods of the genus [Bathyporeia] and [Haustorius arenarius]. The bivalve [Macoma balthica] may occur in more stable examples of this biotope, although not in the abundances found in unit A5.331. The biotope contains relatively few species, each typically in low to moderate abundance. It is found in tidal channels with moderate tidal streams. Care should be taken in identification of this biotope due to the presence juveniles and species washed in during slack water.


hname:
[Neomysis integer] and [Gammarus] spp. in fluctuating low salinity infralittoral mobile sand

description:
Upper estuary mobile fine muddy sands with very low fluctuating salinity characterised by the mysid shrimp [Neomysis integer] (see Arndt 1991) and amphipods of the genus [Gammarus] spp. This habitat has a rather sparse infauna and species such as [N. integer] will most likely be found on the sediment surface or just above it whilst [Gammarus] may be under loose weed, stones or other detritus on the sediment surface. The harsh physicochemical regime imposed by such environmental conditions in the upper estuary leads to a relatively impoverished community but high densities of the mobile, salinity-tolerant, crustaceans can occur. The biotope is found in the transitional zone between freshwater and brackish environments, relying on the decreased freshwater input during the summer for penetration of the brackish species up-stream. As such this biotope may also contain elements of freshwater communities.
Situation: It may be found in conjunction with A5.327, although it lacks appreciable numbers of oligochaetes.
Temporal variation: Numbers of [Neomysis] may to fluctuate on a seasonal basis due high over wintering mortality (Gameson 1982) and the location of this biotope within the estuary may also shift upstream or downstream on a seasonal or yearly basis related in part to the freshwater flow into the estuary as has been noted in the Humber (Allen [et al]. 2003).


hname:
Pontic mobile sands of the Danube mouths


description:
Clean sands which occur in shallow water, either on the open coast or in tide-swept channels of marine inlets. The habitat typically lacks a significant seaweed component and is characterised by robust fauna, particularly amphipods ([Bathyporeia]) and robust polychaetes including [Nephtys cirrosa] and [Lanice conchilega].


hname:
Infralittoral mobile clean sand with sparse fauna

description:
Medium to fine sandy sediment in shallow water, often formed into dunes, on exposed or tide-swept coasts often contains very little infauna due to the mobility of the substratum. Some opportunistic populations of infaunal amphipods may occur, particularly in less mobile examples in conjunction with low numbers of mysids such as [Gastrosaccus spinifer], the polychaete [Nephtys cirrosa] and the isopod [Eurydice pulchra]. Sand eels [Ammodytes] sp. may occasionally be observed in association with this biotope (and others). This biotope is more mobile than A5.233 and may be closely related to A2.221 on the shore. Common epifaunal species such as [Pagurus bernhardus], [Liocarcinus depurator], [Carcinus maenas] and [Asterias rubens] may be encountered and are the most conspicuous species present.


hname:
[Sertularia cupressina] and [Hydrallmania falcata] on tide-swept sublittoral sand with cobbles or pebbles

description:
Shallow sands with cobbles and pebbles, exposed to strong tidal streams, with conspicuous colonies of hydroids, particularly [Hydrallmania falcata] and to a lesser extent [Sertularia cupressina] and [S. argentea]. These hydroids are tolerant to periodic submergence and scour by sand. Both diving and dredge surveys will easily record this biotope. [Flustra foliacea, Balanus crenatus] and [Alcyonidium diaphanum] may also occur on the more stable cobbles and pebbles, with [Urticina felina] and occasional [Lanice conchilega] present in the sand. Infaunal components of the other biotopes in the A5.1 or A5.2 complex may occur in this biotope as may elements of the 'Venus' associations; indeed, this biotope may be at one extreme of the spectrum of such associations (E.I.S. Rees pers. comm. 1997) and this biotope may be best considered an epibiotic overlay.


hname:
[Nephtys cirrosa] and [Bathyporeia] spp. in infralittoral sand

description:
Well-sorted medium and fine sands characterised by [Nephtys cirrosa] and [Bathyporeia] spp. (and sometimes [Pontocrates] spp.) which occur in the shallow sublittoral to at least 30 m depth. This biotope occurs in sediments subject to physical disturbance, as a result of wave action (and occasionally strong tidal streams). The magelonid polychaete [Magelona mirabilis] may be frequent in this biotope in more sheltered, less tideswept areas whilst in coarser sediments the opportunistic polychaete [Chaetozone setosa] may be commonly found. The faunal diversity of this biotope is considerably reduced compared to less disturbed biotopes (such as unit A5.242) and for the most part consists of the more actively-swimming amphipods. Sand eels [Ammodytes] sp. may occasionally be observed in association with this biotope (and others) and spionid polychaetes such as [Spio filicornis] and [S. martinensis] may also be present. Occasional [Lanice conchilega] may be visible at the sediment surface.
Temporal variation: Stochastic recruitment events in the [Nephtys cirrosa] populations may be very important to the population size of other polychaetes present and may therefore create a degree of variation in community composition (Bamber 1994).


description:
Endemic [Isoetes azorica] communities of pools and small lakes of the Azores.


description:
Wet meadows of the middle boreal, northern boreal, oceanic boreal, arctoalpine zones of Fennoscandia and of Iceland, where they colonize moist stoney slopes and land slips on mountainsides as well as valley bottom allluvions, dominated by [Deschampsia cespitosa], [Carex nigra], [Ranunculus acris] and, in Fennoscandia, [Cirsium helenioides], with, in particular, [Bartsia alpina], [Polygonum viviparum] ([Bistorta vivipara]), [Filipendula ulmaria], [Geranium sylvaticum], [Rumex acetosa]; the cortège of Fennoscandian communities includes [Rubus arcticus], [Saussurea alpina], [Trollius europaeus], [Viola epipsila], that of Icelandic communities [Agrostis canina], [Agrostis capillaris], [Anthoxanthum odoratum], [Cardamine pratensis], [Equisetum palustre], [Equisetum pratense], [Festuca rubra] s.l., [Festuca vivipara], [Juncus balticus], [Trifolium repens].


description:
Wet meadows and water-meadows of the lowlands of Britain, northern Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and northwestern Spain, developed on nutrient-rich, acidocline alluvions of rivers and brooks with a fluctuating water regime in which [Senecio aquaticus] and [Bromus racemosus] are usually prominent, accompanied by a variable cortège; [Potentilla palustris] and [Menyanthes trifoliata] characterize mesotrophic stands, [Ranunculus auricomus] and [Primula elatior] somewhat more base-rich ones. [Carex disticha] is usually present and sometimes abundant, marking a transition towards [Magnocaricion] communities of unit D5.211. At higher altitudes, above 250 m, on base-poor soils, these communities evolve towards [Polygonum bistorta]-dominated communities of unit E3.415.


description:
Wet and humid meadows of sub-Atlantic Western and Central Europe dominated by, or very rich in, [Polygonum bistorta], most characteristic of montane or submontane regions of the Hercynian ranges and neighbouring regions. They include distinctive acidocline Hercynian communities in which [Polygonum bistorta] is associated with [Deschampsia cespitosa] or [Juncus filiformis], [Polygonum bistorta]-enriched submontane or montane variants of thistle or ragwort lowland communities of units E3.411 or E3.414, of the montane thistle-globeflower communities of unit E3.412, of the clubrush communities of unit E3.419, peri-Hercynian submontane and lowland thermophilous communities of the Danube basin, and montane communities of the Iberian peninsula. They constitute the principal habitat of the threatened fritillary [Proclossiana eunomia], and, at least locally, an important habitat for other threatened butterflies, in particular, the copper [Palaeochrysophanus (Lycaena) hippothoe].


description:
Humid and wet meadows of sub-Atlantic Europe dominated by or rich in [Juncus filiformis], or, in Iceland, [Juncus balticus] ([Juncus arcticus]), often accompanied by [Carex nigra], [Carex echinata], [Molinia caerulea], [Potentilla erecta], mostly developed on lime-poor soils, of strong boreal affinities, most characteristic of Fennoscandia, Iceland, the northern Germano-Baltic plain and the neighbouring Hercynian ranges, rare farther south, limited to small surfaces in cold-pocket areas of the greater Hercynian ranges and the pre-Alps.


description:
Wet and humid meadows of Atlantic and sub-Atlantic Europe dominated by the tall tussock-forming [Juncus effusus] or [Juncus inflexus], with a usually species-poor accompanying flora, characteristic of relatively nutrient-rich, acidocline to basicline, permanently moist soils.


description:
Calciphile wet meadows of Western Europe, Central Europe and northwestern Eastern Europe, northeast at least to Estonia, dominated by or rich in [Juncus subnodulosus], characteristic of very wet calcareous soils or soils flushed by calcareous waters, transitional to the small sedge fens of the [Caricion davallianae] (unit D4.1), surviving mostly in the British Isles, in the Alpine foothills, in the moraine land of northern Germany, in chalk hills of northwestern Germany, in northern Jutland, on Fyn, in southern and central Scania, on Åland, in wet dune slacks of the Atlantic and North Sea seaboard of the continent of Europe; many formations are rather oligotrophic and could equally be listed under unit E3.5. Typical of these communities are the [Juncus subnodulosus]-[Cirsium palustre] fen-meadows, widespread in the southern British lowlands, particularly in East Anglia, north Buckinghamshire and Angelsey, rich in [Juncus subnodulosus], [Cirsium palustre], [Equisetum palustre], [Filipendula ulmaria], [Holcus lanatus], [Lotus uliginosus], [Mentha aquatica], [Caliergon cuspidatum]; a characteristically variable species-rich cortège, influenced by the various grazing and mowing routines the meadows are subjected to, may include, among others, [Trifolium] spp., [Briza media], [Carex elata], [Iris pseudacorus], [Molinia caerulea], [Dactylorhiza fuchsii], [Dactylorhiza praetermissa], [Dactylorhiza incarnata]. Also particularly characteristic are the [Juncus subnodulosus] formations that succeed fen communities of unit D4.1 in the colonization of coastal wet dune slacks.


description:
Lowland to montane wet grassland of sub-Atlantic Europe, east to Lithuania, the Bohemian basin and Austria, developed on waterlogged siliceous loams or peats, dominated, often overwhelmingly so, by [Scirpus sylvaticus].


description:
Eutrophic wet meadows of the Carpathian region dominated by [Cirsium rivulare], eastern vicariant of the communities of unit E3.411, characteristically developed on loams, gleys or pseudogleys, often with anmoor (mineral soils, which have a very high portion of undecomposed organic mass) characteristics, in higher, cooler elevations of the montane level. They extend to lowland and hill pre-Pannonic areas, to the pre-Alps of Styria, to the eastern Hercynian ranges, and to the eastern Germano-Baltic plain, northeast, as rare communities, to Lithuania.


description:
Humid grasslands of sub-Atlantic Europe submitted to a mixed regime of haycutting and grazing, in particular, single early-summer cutting followed by later prolonged grazing, occupied by a mixture of species of mesophile pastures, notably [Cynosurus cristatus], [Lolium perenne], [Trifolium repens], and [Molinietalia] species resistant to changes in the exploitation regime, such as [Juncus effusus], [Juncus inflexus], [Lychnis flos-cuculi], [Cirsium palustre]. These grasslands constitute transitions between mesophile grasslands of unit E2 and humid grasslands of E3.41, particularly of unit E3.414; they are also closely related to formations of unit E3.417.


description:
Sub-Atlantic wet grasslands of brook banks and soggy slopes of rainy granitic and cristaline hills and low mountains of middle Europe, most characteristic of the eastern Hercynian ranges and the northern pre-Alps, extending west to the Hercynian ranges of sub-Atlantic western Europe, dominated by [Cirsium palustre], accompanied by [Angelica sylvestris] at the lower altitudes, [Polygonum bistorta] at the higher altitudes.


description:
Humid meadows of the montane level of the siliceous eastern Hercynian ranges, dominated by [Cirsium helenioides] ([Cirsium heterophyllum]) and [Cirsium palustre], accompanied by [Polygonum bistorta], [Crepis mollis], [Deschampsia cespitosa].


description:
Montane brook meadows of the higher mid-German Hercynian hills, and very locally, of the northern pre-Alps, developed on clayey siliceous alluvions, with [Chaerophyllum hirsutum], [Ranunculus aconitifolius], [Caltha palustris], [Crepis paludosa], [Myosotis palustris], [Polygonum bistorta], [Filipendula ulmaria], [Angelica sylvestris].


description:
Communities of calcareous wet dune slacks dominated by [Calamagrostis epigejos], in particular, [Calamagrostis epigejos]-dominated facies and evolution stages of the [Juncus subnodulosus] formations of unit E3.418, characteristic of northern French and Belgian dunes and rare fen formations of the Dutch North Sea Islands formed by [Carex hartmanii], [Calamagrostis epigejos], [Carex trinervis], [Ophioglossum vulgatum], [Salix repens], evolution stage with light sand covering of the fen communities of unit D4.1H.


description:
Humid meadows of Atlantic and sub-Atlantic Europe dominated by, or rich in, [Juncus acutiflorus]. They are floristically and phytosociologically very varied and many are as related to the oligotrophic [Molinion] communities of unit E3.5 as to the more eutrophic [Calthion] ones of unit E3.41. Sharp-flowered rush meadows are particularly characteristic of the oceanic and suboceanic regions of the western seaboard of Europe from northwestern Iberia to the Low Countries, extending locally in Hercynian ranges to the Harz and the Bohemian Quadrangle and in small sub-Atlantic enclaves of the Germano-Baltic plains to eastern Germany and Poland.


description:
Meadows of the valleys of great rivers of continental or subcontinental climate regions of Central Europe, submitted to repeated inundation periods in the year, characteristic of the Elbe, the Saale, the Main valleys of Germany and Bohemia, occuring also in Moravia, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia and Serbia, with a disjunct outpost in the arid Rhine graben. They are usually dominated by [Deschampsia cespitosa] or [Alopecurus pratensis], [Poa palustris], [Poa pratensis], [Carex] and [Juncus] species. Characteristic species include [Cnidium dubium] ([Cnidium venosum]), [Viola persicifolia], [Allium angulosum], [Clematis integrifolia], [Iris sibirica], [Oenanthe lachenalii], [Oenanthe silaifolia], [Gratiola officinalis], [Juncus atratus], [Leucojum aestivum], [Carex praecox var. suzae], [Carex melanostachya], [Serratula tinctoria], [Lythrum virgatum]. Because of universal river control schemes, these communities, dependent on natural or near natural flow regemes, are extremely threatened. Vegetation of alliance [Cnidion venosi].


description:
Grasslands of occasionally flooded river and lake banks, of depressions where rain water collects, of disturbed humid areas and of humid pastures submitted to intensive grazing.


description:
Rush ([Juncus effusus], [Juncus conglomeratus], [Juncus inflexus]) colonies of intensively grazed pastures, in part an extreme facies of [Juncus effusus] humid grasslands of unit E3.41, but also of other wet grasslands of unit E3.4 and of more mesophile grasslands of unit E2.


description:
Flood swards of Atlantic and sub-Atlantic Europe, developed on ground submitted to periodical or occasional inundation and subsequent drying under relatively maritime climates, with [Agrostis stolonifera], [Carex hirta], [Festuca arundinacea], [Juncus inflexus], [Alopecurus geniculatus], [Rumex crispus], [Mentha longifolia], [Mentha pulegium], [Potentilla anserina], [Potentilla reptans], [Ranunculus repens].


description:
[Dryas octopetala] dwarf heaths of the oceanic lowlands of northern Scotland, the Inner Hebrides and western Ireland, associated with Durness, Jurassic or Carboniferous limestone outcroppings and karstic pavements, or with shell sands blown over rocky or peaty headlands, with [Arctostaphylos uva-ursi], [Thymus praecox], [Carex flacca], [Viola riviniana], [Plantago maritima], [Lotus corniculatus], [Festuca ovina], [Calluna vulgaris], [Carex rupestris].


description:
[Dryas octopetala] heaths of the boreoalpine and arctoalpine levels of northern Palaearctic mountains of Scotland and Fennoscandia.


description:
Maritime or submaritime [Dryas octopetala] heaths of the arctic lowlands of the Palaearctic continent and of the low arctic and subarctic islands of the North Atlantic and the Northern Ocean.


hname:
Alpide high mountain dwarf bilberry heaths

description:
[Vaccinium]-dominated dwarf heaths of the subalpine belt of southern mountains, in particular, of the northern and central Apennines, the Balkan Range, the Hellenides, the Pontic Range and the Caucasus, with [Vaccinium myrtillus], [Vaccinium uliginosum] s.l., [Vaccinium vitis-idaea] and, locally, [Empetrum nigrum]. They are richer in grassland species than the communities of unit F2.24 and often take the appearance of alpine grassland with dward shrubs. [Vaccinium myrtillus] also plays a much more dominant role, in lieu of [Vaccinium uliginosum] and [Empetrum hermaphroditum].


hname:
Central Mediterranean subalpine dwarf bilberry heaths

description:
[Vaccinium] dwarf heaths of the subalpine or lower alpine belt of mountains of the Italian peninsula and of the large Tyrrhenian islands formed by [Vaccinium myrtillus] and [Vaccinium uliginosum] s.l., with a large admixture of alpine or subalpine grassland species and sometimes of megaforb elements.


description:
Communities of [Vaccinium myrtillus] and/or [Vaccinium vitis-idaea], rich in grass and herb species, of the subalpine level of the Balkan Range, the Rhodope Mountains, the Moeso-Macedonian mountains, the Pelagonides, the Pindus, the Thessalian mountains.


description:
Communities of [Vaccinium myrtillus] and/or [Vaccinium vitis-idaea] of the Pontic Range.


description:
Low [Genista] spp. or [Chamaecytisus] spp. heaths of the subalpine, low alpine or montane belts of high southern nemoral mountains, in particular of the southern Alps, the Apennines, the Dinarides, the southern Carpathians, the Balkan Range, the Moeso-Macedonian mountains, the Pelagonides, the northern Pindus, the Rhodope Mountains, the Thessalian mountains.


description:
[Genista radiata], [Genista holopetala], [Genista hassertiana] heaths of the montane, subalpine and alpine belts of the southeastern Alps, in particular the Bergamesque Alps, the Dolomites, the Carnic Alps, the Julian Alps, of the Dinarides, with more localized stations in the Novarese Alps, the northern and central Apennines, the southern Carpathians, the Pelagonides, the northern Pindus, the Thessalian mountains.


description:
Low shrub formations dominated by the Balkan peninsula endemic [Chamaecytisus eriocarpus] ([Chamaecytisus absinthioides]) characteristic of the subalpine and montane belts of the Balkan Range, of the Rhodope Mountains (Rila, Pirin, Orvilos, Vrondous, Pangeon, Falakron, Rhodope) and of the Moeso-Macedonian mountains south to the Belasitza-Kerkini.


description:
[Chamaecytisus hirsutus] heaths of the mountains of the southern Balkan and Hellenic peninsula, in particular, of the Pelagonides.


description:
Subalpine scrubs of [Alnus], [Betula], [Salix] and Rosaceae ([Amelanchier], [Potentilla], [Rubus], [Sorbus]), less than 5 m tall, often accompanied by tall herbs that in the absence of scrub would be classified as E5.5. Excludes dwarf [Salix] scrub (F2.1), which is composed of species that rarely exceed 1.5 m in height, and scrub on waterlogged soils (F9.2).


description:
Dense thickets of bushy alders characteristic of the Alps, the Carpathians, the Dinarides, the Balkan Range, Vitosha, Rila, Corsica and the mountains of northeastern Asia. Alders (e.g. [Alnus viridis]) are accompanied by shruby willows [Salix waldsteiniana], [Salix appendiculata], [Salix elaeagnos], [Salix purpurea] etc. and tall herbs.


description:
Green alder ([Alnus viridis ssp. viridis])-dominated formations of the Alps, the Carpathians, the Dinarides and the Balkan Range, Vitosha, Rila, rich in tall herbs.


description:
Green alder ([Alnus viridis ssp. viridis])-dominated formations, rich in tall herbs, of the subalpine and lower alpine belts of the Alps, on slopes with a good water-holding capacity, mostly on siliceous soils.


description:
[Alnus viridis]-dominated formations of the Carpathian mountains, with, in some communities, [Pulmonaria filarszkyana], [Cirsium waldsteinii], [Rumex arifolius ssp. carpaticus].


description:
[Alnus viridis]-dominated formations of the Dinarides.


description:
[Alnus viridis]-dominated formations, often with [Rumex alpinus], [Ligusticum mutellina], [Salix silesiaca], [Geum coccineum], [Veratrum album], of the Balkan Range.


description:
[Alnus viridis]-dominated scrub of the subalpine, 1300-2100 metre, level of Vitosha and Rila.


description:
Formations of the western Sierra Morena (Sierra de Aracena, Badajos region, southeastern Portugal) dominated by [Ulex eriocladus], developed mostly in the meso-Mediterranean zone and locally in contact with [Erica umbellata] heaths; the gorse is endemic to the area.


description:
[Ulex parviflorus ssp. parviflorus]-dominated formations of central-western Portugal, southern and eastern Spain and southern France and coastal North Africa, locally distributed on calcareous or siliceous substrates of the thermo-Mediterranean and lower meso-Mediterranean zones, occasionally ascending to higher elevations. Communities including the related [Ulex parviflorus ssp. willkommii], [Ulex baeticus] and [Ulex australis] are listed under units F5.58, F5.5A and F5.5C, clearly meso-Mediterranean formations under unit F6.1H.


description:
[Stauracanthus genistoides ssp. spectabilis]-dominated formations; the gorse has a very restricted distribution on the coast of Alentejo and in Morocco.


description:
[Genista hirsuta]-dominated formations of thermo- and meso-Mediterranean Luso-Extremaduran regions, widespread and physiognomically striking by the hemispherical port of the shrub, similar to that of many gorses and of phrygana species.


description:
Mostly calcicolous, open garrigues of the extreme south of the Iberian peninsula characterized by the abundance of [Phlomis purpurea ssp. purpurea], [Ulex parviflorus ssp. willkommii], [Genista umbellata ssp. equisetiformis], [Thymus eryanthus], [Thymus capitatus], [Micromeria graeca], [Teucrium polium], [Calicotome villosa], [Asperula hirsuta].


description:
Varied calcicolous formations of Baetic hills of southern Spain; they may be dominated by any of a number of characteristic species of the class, and in particular by [Thymus capitatus], [Teucrium polium], [Helianthemum hirtum], [Phlomis purpurea ssp. purpurea] or [Ulex parviflorus ssp. willkommii]; they occur locally throughout the entire Baetic area. A few communities, remarkable for the dominance of less widespread, often endemic, usually striking species, and, in many cases, for their adaptation to non-calcareous soils or to outlying areas, have been listed separately.


description:
Spectacular formations dominated by the endemic shrub [Ononis speciosa] with [Bupleurum gibraltarium], [Thymus capitatus], [Micromeria graeca], [Phlomis purpurea ssp. purpurea], [Ulex parviflorus ssp. willkommii], [Genista umbellata ssp. equisetiformis], [Calicotome villosa], [Satureja obovata], [Ptilostemon hispanicus], locally distributed in calcareous areas of the Serrania de Ronda and satellite ranges in southern Spain.


description:
Sub-Baetic formations of calcareous hills lining the Guadalquivir depression of Andalusia with the large cushion-forming [Genista umbellata ssp. equisetiformis] and [Chronanthus biflorus] accompanied by [Thymus capitatus], [Thymus eryanthus] and [Ulex parviflorus ssp. willkommii].


description:
Acidophilous formations limited to rare enclaves of the slopes above the Sea of Alboran, with [Genista umbellata ssp. equisetiformis], [Ulex parviflorus ssp. willkommii], [Calicotome villosa], [Lavandula stoechas ssp. stoechas], [Adenocarpus grandiflorus].


description:
[Ulex baeticus]-dominated or -rich formations of ultra-basic dolomites, serpentines and peridotites of the Serrania de Ronda and its peripheral ranges.


description:
Dolomitic formations with [Ulex baeticus], [Phlomis purpurea ssp. purpurea], [Cistus clusii], [Halimium viscosum], [Euphorbia baetica], [Linaria clementei] and, sometimes, [Genista haenseleri] of the Serrania de Ronda, Sierra Blanquilla, de Ojen and surrounding areas.


hname:
Ronda serpentine and peridotite garrigues

description:
Formations of serpentines and peridotites of the Sierra de Carratraca and a few nearby stations of the Serrania de Ronda with [Ulex baeticus] (or sometimes [Genista umbellata ssp. equisetiformis]), [Galium boissieranum], [Staehelina baetica], [Centaurea carratracensis].


description:
Formations of the Sierra Bermeja dominated by [Ulex baeticus].


description:
Tall [Halimium atriplicifolium] formations of the peridotites of the Sierra Bermeja (Andalucia) with [Phlomis purpurea ssp. purpurea], [Genista lanuginosa], [Genista hirsuta], [Lavandula stoechas].


description:
Highly distinctive formations, dominated by the endemic gorse [Stauracanthus boivinii], limited to a few locations with siliceous, oligotrophic soils and high precipitation of the thermo- and lower meso-mediterranean zone of the vicinity of the Straits of Gibraltar and the southern shores of the Sea of Alboran.


description:
Formations of the sierras del Aljibe, Blanquilla, del Nino and de Ojen (Andalucia) with the Gibraltar endemics [Genista tridens] and [Bupleurum foliosum].


description:
Very local formation of the coast of the Algarve, with [Genista triacanthos], [Erica umbellata], [Calluna vulgaris] and [Tuberaria major].


hname:
[Flustra foliacea] and [Haliclona oculata] with a rich faunal turf on tide-swept circalittoral mixed substrata

description:
This biotope is typically found on exposed slopes of silty cobble and pebble subject to strong to moderate tidal streams. From afar, large 'finger' growths of the sponge [Haliclona oculata] occur amongst a rich faunal turf of hydroids and bryozoans with [Flustra foliacea] prominent. The dense faunal turf growing on the cobbles is composed of the bryozoans [F. foliacea], [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and [Crisia eburnea] and sporadic occurrences of the hydroids [Nemertesia antennina], [Hydrallmania falcata], [Tubularia larynx], [Rhizocaulus verticillatus] and [Halecium halecinum]. Caprellid shrimps may be observed within this faunal turf. The hard substratum frequently has a dense covering of the sponge [H. oculata] and occasionally [Esperiopsis fucorum], while the softer gravely/sand between the cobbles provides a habitat for anemones such as [Urticina felina] and [Cerianthus lloydii]. The nudibranch [Janolus cristatus] may be seen preying on the faunal turf and the fan worm [Sabella pavonia] is occasionally seen amongst the cobbles. The soft coral [Alcyonium digitatum] is often attached to the upper faces of more stable cobbles and rocks, while in the crevices between cobbles, the anemone [Sagartia elegans], the crab [Cancer pagurus], the prawn [Pandalus montagui] and the amphipod [Dyopedos porrectus] may be observed. Under-cobble fauna includes terebellid worms and [Harmothoe] spp. This biotope has been recorded from the Menai Strait, Milford Haven and Morecambe Bay.


hname:
[Molgula manhattensis] with a hydroid and bryozoan turf on tide-swept moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This biotope is typically found on slightly sand-scoured, tide-swept, moderately exposed circalittoral bedrock and cobbles. It is commonly recorded from the shallower reaches of the circalittoral around depths from 5m to 15m BCD, as it occurs mostly in very turbid waters. From afar, the physical characteristics are usually silted bedrock reefs and cobble, interspersed with patches of clean sand, causing a scour effect on the rock. Dense aggregations of the ascidian [Molgula manhattensis] form a silty mat on the rock and there is a sparse hydroid and bryozoan turf. A hydroid turf, composed of [Nemertesia antennina], [Halecium beanii], [Hydrallmania falcata], [Sertularella gaudichaudi], [Tubularia indivisa] and [Alcyonium digitatum], in varying amounts, occurs at most sites on the tops of boulders and ridges. A bryozoan turf is also present, but not usually dense and includes [Flustra foliacea], [Alcyonidium diaphanum], [Electra pilosa] and the crust-forming bryozoan [Conopeum reticulum]. The polychaete [Lanice conchilega] thrives in the sandy patches which often occur between the rock ridges. The scour effect tends to reduce the diversity of sponges present with only [Halichondria panicea] occasionally present. Isolated clumps of the polychaete [Sabellaria spinulosa] may be present but they do not occur in dense aggregations as in the A4.2211 biotope. The anemones [Urticina felina] and [Sagartia troglodytes] may occur in cracks between cobbles or on stones buried in the sandy substratum. The anemone [Sagartia elegans] is more commonly found attached to crevices in the bedrock. Other species such as the hermit crab [Pagurus bernhardus], the barnacle [Balanus crenatus], the polychaete [Sabella pavonia] and [Pomatoceros triqueter] may all be present whilst the crab [Pisidia longicornis] may be found under cobbles and stones. Records of this biotope are distributed along the south coast of England and the north Wales coast as well as Pembrokeshire near the entrance to Milford Haven.
Situation: As this biotope is often recorded on soft rock (chalk), soft rock communities (A4.23 biotope complex) would be observed in close proximity with species of the genus [Polydora] and piddocks ([Pholas] spp. and [Barnea] spp). Moderately exposed kelp forests may be found within the shallow infralittoral zone.


hname:
Sponges and anemones on vertical circalittoral bedrock

description:
This biotope is found on exposed to moderately wave exposed , vertical and overhanging, circalittoral bedrock, subject to strong through to weak tidal streams. This biotope is characterised by a mixed faunal turf of hydroids ([Nemertesis antennina], [Tubularia indivisa] and [Halecium halecium]) and bryozoans ([Alcyonidium diaphanum] and crisiid turf). There is frequently a diverse range of sponges recorded, including [Cliona celata], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Dysidea fragilis] and [Hemimycale columella]. There may be dense aggregation of dead mans fingers [Alcyonium digitatum] along with clumps of the cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii], and the anthozoans [Corynactis viridis], [Actinothoe sphyrodeta], [Sagartia elegans] and [Metridium senile]. Other species present include the echinoderms [Echinus esculentus], [Asterias rubens], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Henricia oculata], [Holothuria forskali] and [Antedon bifida], clumps of the lightbulb tunicate [Clavelina lepadiformis] and the top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinum]. Three regional variations of this biotope have been recorded. The first variant is characterised by a [Bugula] turf along with the pink sea fan [Eunicella verrucosa], and has been recorded from around southwest England and Wales. The second variant, characterised by a dense 'carpet' of [Corynactis viridis] and [Metridium senile] has been recorded predominantly from the west coast of Ireland. The final variant is characterised by a very diverse, dense faunal turf of hydroids, bryozoans and ascidians and has been recorded from the coasts around Northern Ireland.


hname:
Atlantic and Mediterranean moderate energy circalittoral rock

description:
Mainly occurs on exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders, subject to moderately strong and weak tidal streams. This habitat type contains a broad range of biological subtypes, from echinoderms and crustose communties (A4.21) to Sabellaria reefs (A4.22) and circalittoral mussel beds (A4.24).


hname:
Echinoderms and crustose communities on circalittoral rock

description:
This habitat type occurs on wave-exposed, moderately strong to weakly tide-swept, circalittoral bedrock and boulders. Echinoderms, faunal ([Parasmittina trispinosa]) and algal crusts (red encrusting algae) dominate this biotope, giving a sparse appearance. Typical echinoderms present are the starfish [Asterias rubens], the brittlestar [Ophiothrix fragilis] and the sea urchin [Echinus esculentus]. There may be isolated clumps of the hydroids [Nemertesia antennina] and [Abietinaria abietina], [Alcyonium digitatum], the anemone [Urticina felina] and the cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii]. Other species present may include the polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] and the top shell [Calliostoma zizphinum].


hname:
[Caryophyllia smithii] and [Swiftia pallida] on circalittoral rock

description:
This biotope is typically found on the upper and vertical faces of very exposed through to wave-sheltered circalittoral bedrock and boulders, which are typically subject to weak tidal streams. It is characterised by dense aggregations of the cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii] and the sea fan [Swiftia pallida] on the silty substratum. Under the silt, bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] and encrusting red algae may be seen. This biotope may have a grazed appearance, perhaps attributable to the frequently occurring [Echinus esculentus]. There may be a sparse hydroid turf present, with species such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Halecium halecinum] present. The soft corals [Alcyonium glomeratum] and [Alcyonium digitatum] may be present on the tops of boulders along with the crinoids [Antedon petasus] and [Antedon bifida]. Other echinoderms occasionally observed include the starfish [Marthasterias glacialis], [Asterias rubens] and [Luidia ciliaris]. Sponges feature only occasionally in this biotope, including species such as [Cliona celata]. The bryozoan [Porella compressa] may also be recorded. Ascidians occasionally present include [Ascidia mentula], [Clavelina lepadiformis] and [Ciona intestinalis]. Under-boulder fauna typically consists of the crustacean [Munida rugosa]. The polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] may be seen encrusting the rocky surface. Two variants of this biotope have been identified; Units A4.2111 and A4.2112. A4.2111 is a heavily silted biotope characterised by the sea fan [S. pallida], the cup coral [C. smithii] and the soft coral [A. glomeratum] and is only present in Irish waters. A4.2112 has been recorded off the west coast of Scotland, and is characterised by large solitary ascidians and the cup coral [C. smithii].


hname:
[Caryophyllia smithii], [Swiftia pallida] and [Alcyonium glomeratum] on wave-sheltered circalittoral rock

description:
This variant typically occurs on sheltered, ridged, circalittoral bedrock or boulders subject to only weak tidal streams, but may be found in somewhat more exposed conditions. It is found in water depths ranging from 15m to 32m. Commonly occurring [Swiftia pallida] characterises this heavily silted biotope along with [Caryophyllia smithii] and frequent [Alcyonium glomeratum]. Under the silt, bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] may be found. There is a strong echinoderm component to the community, with the tentacles of [Aslia lefevrei] frequently seen protruding from crevices in the ridged bedrock. [Holothuria forskali] is often seen on the upper faces of boulders and bedrock. [Marthasterias glacialis], [Asterias rubens], [Echinus esculentus], [Henricia oculata] and [Luidia ciliaris] may also be present. A sparse hydroid turf may also be present, with species such as [Polyplumaria frutescens], [Halecium halecinum] and [Nemertesia antennina]. In addition, there may be anthozoans such as [Isozoanthus sulcatus] and [Corynactis viridis]. The sponge [Suberites carnosus] is typically associated with a heavily silted habitat. Other sponges present include [Cliona celata], [Stelligera stuposa] and [Polymastia boletiformis]. The only records are from the west coast of Ireland.
Situation: Usually found on bedrock ridges and outcrops surrounded by sand and muddy gravel.


hname:
[Caryophyllia smithii], [Swiftia pallida] and large solitary ascidians on exposed or moderately exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This variant typically occurs on exposed to moderately wave-exposed, circalittoral bedrock and boulders rock subject to mainly weak tidal streams and has a thin layer of silt present. It is found predominantly from 10-30m water depth. From afar, this biotope is mostly distinguished by the frequently occurring seafan [Swiftia pallida], encrusting red algae and the abundant cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii]. This biotope has quite an impoverished appearance, compared with unit A4.133 which has a strong sponge component. Other species present are typically in low abundance. Echinoderms such as [Echinus esculentus], [Antedon bifida], [Antedon petasus], [Leptometra celtica], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Luidia ciliaris] and [Asterias rubens] may be recorded. Large hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina] and [Nemertesia ramosa] may occasionally be seen in isolated clumps on the tops of boulders and rocky outcrops. The anthozoan [Parazoanthus anguicomus] may be recorded. Bryozoans such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] and [Porella compressa] are occasionally observed. The polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] may be observed encrusting the sides of rocks and boulders while occasional [Alcyonium digitatum] may also be seen. A small suite of large ascidians may be present, including [Ascidia mentula], [Clavelina lepadiformis], [Ciona intestinalis], [Diazona violacea] and [Ascidia virginea]. Sponges are typically absent from this biotope, although [Cliona celata] may be recorded occasionally. The top shell [Gibbula cineraria] is usually present. Under boulders and overhangs, the squat lobster [Munida rugosa] can usually be seen hiding. All these records are from the west coast of Scotland (East coast of Lewis /Outer Hebrides).
Situation: Above this biotope in the infralittoral zone, sheltered kelp forests are usually found, with species such as [Laminaria hyperborea], [Laminaria saccharina] and [Sacchoriza polyschides]. This biotope is found on bedrock and boulders, which may either be protruding from the surrounding sediment, or the sediment may be in a separate zone below the bedrock. These sediments may either be deep mud (with species such as [Pachycerianthus] and [Nephrops] ) on the sheltered sites or slightly coarser sediments (with [Pennatula] and [Virgularia]) on slightly more exposed sites.


hname:
[Caryophyllia smithii], sponges and crustose communities on wave-exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This biotope typically occurs on the upper and vertical faces of wave-exposed, moderately strong to weakly tide-swept, circalittoral bedrock or boulders, with a water depth range of 20-30m. This often silty biotope has a typically sparse fauna, appearing grazed, and is characterised by common cup corals [Caryophyllia smithii], frequent [Alcyonium digitatum] and occasional urchins [Echinus esculentus]. There may be occasional large growths of the sponge [Cliona celata], [Haliclona viscosa], [Pachymatisma johnstonia] and the axinellid sponge [Stelligera stuposa]. Echinoderms form a prominent feature of the fauna within this biotope, with species such as [Marthasterias glacialis], [Asterias rubens], [Luidia ciliaris], [Henricia oculata], [Holothuria forskali], [Antedon bifida] and [Aslia lefevrei] present. Bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] and encrusting red algae cover the rock/boulder surface. The bryozoan [Porella compressa] may also be recorded occasionally. Isolated clumps of hydroids feature species such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa], [Abietinaria abietina], [Halecium halecinum] and [Sertularella gayi]. Other species observed include the anemone [Corynactis viridis], [Urticina felina], [Sagartia elegans], [Calliostoma zizyphinum], [Balanus crenatus] and [Pomatoceros triqueter]. Two variants within this biotope have been distinguished: units A4.2122 and A4.2121. While  A4.2122 tends to have the bryozoans [Pentapora foliacea] and [P. compressa], while A4.2121 features a dynamic community of brittlestars covering the seabed in a dense mat. [Ophiothrix fragilis] is usually the dominant species in shallow water but tends to be replaced by [Ophiocomina nigra] in deeper water.


hname:
Brittlestars overlying coralline crusts, [Parasmittina trispinosa] and [Caryophyllia smithii] on wave-exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This variant is typically found on the upper faces of wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock or boulders subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams, on open coasts. However, the depth at which the variant occurs means that wave action is not so severe on the seabed as to displace the dense mat of brittlestars that covers the seabed. [Ophiothrix fragilis] is usually the most dominant species in shallow water, with [Ophiocomina nigra] usually found amongst them, but sometimes becoming the dominant species in deeper water. Although brittlestar biotopes are typically species-poor, the underlying fauna in this variant is relatively diverse and resembles that of A4.2122. Species such as the anemone [Urticina felina], the cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii], and the anemone [Corynactis viridis] may occasionally be present. There may also be sparse clumps of various hydroids including [Halecium halecinum], [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa], [Sertularella gayi] and [Abietinaria abietina]. Soft coral [Alcyonium digitatum] is occasionally present and there may be sparse specimens of the sponges [Cliona celata] and [Polymastia boletiformis]. In addition, various echinoderms such as [Asterias rubens], [Antedon bifida], [Echinus esculentus], [Henricia oculata], [Marthasterias glacialis] and [Luidia ciliaris] may be observed. The barnacle [Balanus crenatus] and the polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] may be seen attached to any available space on the bedrock and boulders not smothered by brittlestars. Bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] may also be present.
Situation: Wave-exposed seabed composed of bedrock ridges and/or boulder or cobble slope. Shallower than this biotope, the lower infralittoral kelp park is dominated by [Laminaria hyperborea]. A dense understorey may be present, containing [Antedon] spp., [Phycodrys rubens] and [Plocamium cartilagineum].


hname:
[Caryophyllia smithii] and sponges with [Pentapora foliacea], [Porella compressa] and crustose communities on wave-exposed circalittoral rock

description:
This variant is typically found on the upper faces and vertical sides of wave-exposed bedrock or boulders subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. The fauna is often sparse with the frequently observed [Echinus esculentus] giving it a grazed appearance, but the community may also be affected by violent storm action working into deep water during winter storms. Despite this spartan appearance, the community is relatively diverse and contains a wide range of sponges, hydroids, bryozoans and echinoderms. This variant is found on open coasts or offshore, and is characterised by the cup-coral [Caryophyllia smithii], [Alcyonium digitatum], the sea urchin [Echinus esculentus], large specimens of the sponge [Cliona celata], encrusting bryozoans and encrusting red algae. Although this variant tends to occur in deep water (depth range of 20-30m), a high degree of water clarity allows some red algae to grow at these depths. Other species recorded include large specimens of [Haliclona viscosa], the bryozoans [Parasmittina trispinosa], [Porella compressa] and [Pentapora foliacea], the sea cucumbers [Holothuria forskali] and [Aslia lefevrei] and sparse hydroids such as [Abietinaria abietina], [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Halecium halecinum]. Anemones such as [Corynactis viridis], [Sagartia elegans] and [Urticina felina] are also frequently seen. Various other species characteristic of wave-exposed rock include the sponges [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Stelligera stuposa], the starfish [Luidia ciliaris], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Asterias rubens], [Henricia oculata], the crinoid [Antedon bifida], the barnacle [Balanus crenatus], the top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinum] and the polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter]. The majority of the records within this variant originate from the west coast of Ireland.
Situation: Exposed kelp forest and park biotopes such as unit A3.115 with species such as [Laminaria hyperborea] are typically found shallower than this biotope. Deeper, this biotope is believed to graduate into A4.121 (deep erect sponges), as both these biotopes are common around the west coast of Ireland.


description:
Deep-sea benthic habitats with substrates predominantly of mixed particle size or gravel. Includes habitats with mobile substrates of biogenic origin but no longer living, and of allochthonous material such as macrophyte debris. Deep-sea habitats with living biogenic substrates are included in A6.6.


description:
Hill and montane mesophile calcareous grasslands of the western Pyrenees.


description:
Hill, montane and sometimes lower subalpine calcareous grasslands of the Picos de Europa, Cantabria, Asturias, Alava, Navarra dominated by [Brachypodium pinnatum ssp. rupestre] (to be listed as 34.323K) or by [Bromus erectus], [Carex brevicollis], [Sesleria argentea], [Helictotrichon cantabricum], [Avenula vasconica], [Avenula marginata], and often with [Seseli montanum], [Seseli cantabricum], [Chamaespartium sagittale], [Pulsatilla rubra ssp. hispanica], [Phyteuma orbiculare ssp. hispanicum], [Carduus argemone].


description:
Sub-Atlantic mesophile and meso-xerophile calcareous grasslands of the Bohemian basin, its surrounding hills, Moravia and the Moravian pre-Carpathians, the Weinviertel of Austria, with local occurrences on the northern flank of the Sudeten in Poland.


hname:
Middle European [Brachypodium] semidry grasslands

description:
[Brachypodium pinnatum ssp. pinnatum] or [Brachypodium pinnatum ssp. rupestre] facies of unit E1.262. Geographical subdivisions are given by level 6 units E1.2621  - E1.262L . [Brachypodium]-dominated facies may form in all the regional types of grasslands inventoried in unit E1.262 as a result of nitrification or of dominance of grazing over mowing. Such processes are accompanied by a drastic reduction in species diversity. South western grasslands of sub units H to K of E1.262 and of E1.263 are, however, generally rich in [Brachypodium] even in the apparent absence of degradation processes.


hname:
Alluvial and humid [Mesobromion] grasslands

description:
Closed grasslands rich in species of the [Mesobromion] and in particular [Bromus erectus], developed on calcareous marls, on somewhat elevated expanses of alluvial plains and on other water retentive soils within the range of the grasslands listed under E1.262. They are transitional to humid grasslands (E3) and are often marked by the abundance of [Carex flacca]. Among characteristic elements are also [Thalictrum majus], [Peucedanum carvifolia], [Silaum silaus], [Festuca hirundinacea]. Geographical subdivisions can be introduced by use of the fourth decimal digit of E1.262 in the fourth place of E1.264. Extensive examples are known in particular from the marls of Lorraine, the Belgian low Meuse and the great rivers of the Netherlands, Westphalia, the alluvial plains of the French Moselle and Meuse, the Rhine valley in Germany and Alsace, various valleys in south Germany and the valley of the Sarthe.


hname:
Middle European [Sesleria] semidry grasslands

description:
[Sesleria albicans]-dominated facies of communities of unit E1.262 or E1.266, often rich in dealpine species, occurring in particular in the Alpine and Pyrenean periphery, but also occurring locally, farther from the immediate Alpine influence, in anomalous stations such as steep, more or less shaded slopes or cliffs; [Sesleria argentea]-dominated grasslands of Alava and Navarra.


description:
Closed mesophile grasslands, usually rich in [Bromus erectus] and orchids, of the periphery of the Mediterranean basin in Catalonia, the eastern Pyrenees, the Corbières, the Causses, Provence, the southwestern Alps and the northern Apennines. Many are comparatively dry and have sometimes been included in the [Xerobromion].


description:
Species-rich hill and montane grasslands of Lago di Garda, Lago di Como and neighbouring areas with [Chrysopogon gryllus], [Bromus erectus], [Festuca rubra] s.l., [Agrostis capillaris], [Brachypodium pinnatum], [Carex humilis] and many orchids including the endemic [Ophrys benacensis] and [Serapias vomeracea ssp. vomeracea].


description:
Closed mesophile grasslands of the piani of the beech level of the Monti Sibillini and adjacent regions of the central Apennines, with a rich floristic cortège including many higher altitude species and Apennine endemics, dominated by the grasses [Bromus erectus], [Festuca circummediterranea], [Brachypodium pinnatum], [Poa pratensis], [Briza media], [Festuca pratensis], with [Filipendula vulgaris], [Alchemilla glaucescens], [Scabiosa columbaria], [Trifolium montanum], [Lotus corniculatus], [Thymus longicaulis], [Rhinanthus personatus], [Cerastium fontanum], [Galium anisophyllon], and with the central Italian endemic[Gentiana columnae] on summits and slopes, [Asphodelus albus] and [Fritillaria tenella] in plains and gullies.


description:
Closed mesophile grasslands of medio-European affinities developed on relatively deep, mostly calcareous soils of the Slovenian Alps, Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia, within the Illyrian beech forest level, extending south to Albania along the maritime façade of the western Balkan peninsula, dominated by perennial, tuft-forming grasses, in particular, [Bromus erectus], [Sesleria juncifolia] or [Molinia arundinacea].


description:
Closed mesophile calcicolous grasslands of the Illyrian beech forest level of the Dinarides dominated by [Bromus erectus], with [Plantago media], [Ranunculus bulbosus], [Globularia elongata], [Scabiosa agrestis], [Knautia arvensis], [Viola alba ssp. scotophylla], [Dianthus giganteus ssp. croaticus], [Koeleria pyramidata].


description:
Closed mesophile calcicolous grasslands of the Illyrian beech forest level of the Dinarides dominated by [Sesleria juncifolia], with [Centaurea triumfetti], [Daphne cneorum], [Genista januensis].


description:
Closed mesophile calcicolous grasslands of the Illyrian beech forest level of the Dinarides dominated by [Molinia arundinacea], with [Succisa pratensis], [Serratula tinctoria], [Gladiolus illyricus], [Euphorbia brittingeri], [Anthericum ramosum], [Helianthemum nummularium], [Leucanthemum vulgare], [Carex humilis], [Agrostis tenuis], [Danthonia provincialis], [Bromus erectus].


hname:
Sub-Atlantic very dry calcareous grassland

description:
Xerophile, open formations dominated by perennial, tuft-forming grasses, often rich in chamaephytes, colonizing superficial calcareous soils, often on steep slopes, clifftops or hilltops, in the sub-Atlantic domain of the [Quercion pubescentii-petraeae] and its northern irradiations and in the sub-Mediterranean mountains of the northern Italian peninsula, with [Bromus erectus], [Sesleria albicans], [Koeleria vallesiana], [Melica ciliata], [Stipa pennata], [Stipa bavarica], [Stipa capillata], [Stipa pulcherrima], [Phleum phleoides], [Brachypodium pinnatum], [Carex humilis], [Fumana procumbens], [Globularia punctata], [Ononis pusilla], [Helianthemum apenninum], [Helianthemum canum], [Helianthemum nummularium], [Linum tenuifolium], [Teucrium chamaedrys], [Allium sphaerocephalon], [Arabis hirsuta], [Anthericum liliago], [Aster linosyris], [Pulsatilla vulgaris], [Biscutella laevigata], [Orobanche teucrii], [Artemisia alba], [Sedum album], [Sedum acre], [Acinos arvensis], [Hippocrepis comosa], [Sanguisorba minor], [Potentilla neumanniana], [Scabiosa columbaria], [Astragalus monspessulanus], [Teucrium pyrenaicum], [Ononis spinosa], [Ononis natrix].


description:
Very dry calcicolous grasslands of southwestern England, restricted to very limited stations on the Carboniferous Limestones of the southern Mendips and on the Devonian Limestones of Tor Bay, with [Festuca ovina], [Koeleria vallesiana], [Carex humilis], [Helianthemum apenninum], [Sanguisorba minor], [Thymus praecox], [Hieracium pilosella], [Plantago lanceolata], [Scilla autumnalis], [Euphorbia portlandica], [Inula conyza], [Sedum forsteranum], [Trinia glauca].


description:
Very local [Kobresia myosuroides] ([Elyna myosuroides]) formations of the high crests of the Abruzzi.


description:
Very local formations of high summits of the Southern Carpathians (Bucegi Mountain) submitted to extreme winds, with [Kobresia myosuroides] ([Elyna myosuroides]), [Oxytropis carpatica], [Cerastium lanatum], [Silene acaulis], [Dryas octopetala], [Anthemis carpatica ssp. pyrethriformis], [Minuartia sedoides] and the endemic [Festuca bucegica].


description:
[Kobresia myosuroides] ([Elyna myosuroides])-dominated calcicline communities of exposed ridges of the boreoalpine and arctoalpine levels of Scandinavian mountains.


description:
Extremely rare, local, exiguous open formations of ridges and outcrops of the high Pirin, at 2300 metres, submitted to extreme winds, with [Kobresia myosuroides] ([Elyna myosuroides]), [Oxytropis campestris var. sordida], [Silene acaulis], [Minuartia verna] and lichens.


description:
Local formations of the high Pelagonides (Sar Planina, Rudoka), submitted to extreme winds, with [Kobresia myosuroides] ([Elyna myosuroides]).


hname:
Calciphilous stepped and garland grassland

description:
Xero-thermophile, open, sculptured, stepped or garland alpine and sub-alpine grasslands of the Alps, the Carpathians, the Pyrenees, the mountains of the Balkan peninsula and the Mediterranean mountains, with very local outposts in the Jura.


description:
Xero-thermophile stepped or garland, species-rich grasslands of the alpine and subalpine levels of the northern and southeastern Alps, and locally, of the Jura, on slopes with shallow soil and snowcover of short duration, with [Sesleria albicans], [Carex sempervirens], [Carex humilis], [Gentiana favratii], [Helianthemum alpestre], [Helianthemum nummularium ssp. grandiflorum], [Phyteuma orbiculare], [Leontopodium alpinum], [Pedicularis rostratocapitata], [Pedicularis verticillata], [Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. alpestris], [Ranunculus thora].


hname:
Alpine blue moorgrass-evergreen sedge swards

description:
Widespread calciphilous formations of the Alps.


hname:
Jura blue moorgrass-evergreen sedge swards


hname:
Southern Alpine oatgrass-blue moorgrass swards

description:
Xero-thermophile, open, stepped or garland, species-rich grasslands of the alpine and subalpine levels of the southern Alps, and particularly of the southwestern Alps, similar to those of the previous unit (E4.431), but in which [Carex sempervirens] is less prominent, while various oats, [Helictotrichon sedenense] ([Avena sedenensis]) ([Helictotrichon montanum], [Avena montana]), [Helictotrichon sempervirens], [Helictotrichon parlatorei], [Helictotrichon setaceum], or [Festuca dimorpha] become important components together with [Sesleria albicans], and oro-Mediterranean species such as [Globularia nana], [Hedysarum hedysaroides], [Lilium pomponium], [Centaurea triumfetti], [Ononis cristata] ([Ononis cenisia]), [Ononis striata], [Iberis sempervirens], [Aethionema ovalifolium], [Sempervivum calcareum], [Arenaria cinerea], [Alsine brunati], [Galeopsis reuteri], [Leuzea rhapontica ssp. bicknellii] ([Leuzea rhapontica], [Rhaponticum scariosum]) and the spiny [Astragalus sempervirens] appear; several of these species are local endemics of very restricted distribution.


description:
Open formations of the alpine level of the Alps, of the Carpathians and the Dinarics, composed of cushions of [Carex firma] and other low-growing rosette or cushion plants.


description:
Open formations of the alpine level of the southeastern Alps, and, to a lesser extent, of the northeastern Alps, composed of cushions of [Carex firma] and other low-growing rosette or cushion plants among which [Saxifraga caesia], [Gentiana clusii], [Gentiana froelichii], [Gentiana terglouensis], [Crepis jacquinii], [Pedicularis rosea], [Saussurea pygmaea], [Dianthus monspessulanus ssp. sternbergii], [Primula wulfeniana], [Chamorchis alpina], [Sesleria albicans], [Carex mucronata], sometimes in association with mats of [Dryas octopetala].


hname:
Western Carpathian cushion sedge carpets

description:
[Carex firma]-dominated formations of high altitudes and dealpine stations of the calcareous northern Carpathians, with [Chamorchis alpina], [Crepis jacquinii], [Helianthemum alpestre], [Saxifraga caesia], [Viola alpina] and [Leontopodium alpinum].


hname:
Eastern Carpathian cushion sedge carpets

description:
Open formations of the alpine level of the eastern Carpathians, composed of cushions of [Carex firma] and accompanied by other low-growing rosette or cushion plants.


description:
Open formations of the alpine level of the Dinarids of southwestern Slovenia and Croatia composed of cushions of [Carex firma] and other low-growing rosette or cushion plants.


description:
Open, xeric, stepped, scraped, species-rich grasslands of calcareous sunny slopes (adrets) in the subalpine and lower alpine levels of the Pyrenees, formed by the smooth, sharp-pointed, often curved-leaved [Festuca gautieri], [Festuca scoparia] and often rich in small cushiony plants; characteristic elements include [Koeleria vallesiana], [Helictotrichon sedenense] ([Avena montana]), [Sesleria albicans], [Sideritis hyssopifolia], [Sideritis endressii], [Helianthemum oelandicum var. hirtum], [Androsace villosa], [Gypsophila repens], [Acinos alpinus], [Paronychia serpyllifolia], [Anthyllis vulneraria], [Arenaria grandiflora], [Astragalus sempervirens], [Astragalus monspessulanus], [Eryngium bourgatii], [Fritillaria pyrenaica], [Teucrium pyrenaicum], [Erigeron pyrenaicus], [Ononis cristata] ([Ononis cenisia]), [Onosma fastigiata], [Saponaria caespitosa], [Jurinea humilis], [Seseli nanum], [Arenaria tetraquetra], [Scorzonera aristata], [Thymelaea nivalis], [Iberis bernardiana], [Serratula nudicaulis], [Asperula cynanchica], [Polygala alpina], [Oxytropis pyrenaica], [Carex rupestris].


description:
Thermophile, open, stripped and garland fescue grasslands of calcareous upper slopes and summits in the subalpine and oro-Mediterranean levels of the Cantabrian mountains, the Iberian Range and the calcareous Baetic ranges, dominated by [Festuca hystrix], [Festuca burnatii], [Poa ligulata] or [Oreochloa confusa]. They are closely allied to the Iberian fescue frost-grasslands (unit E1.53) of the supra-Mediterranean and montane levels of the same mountains.


description:
Open, xerophile, stripped, stepped, scraped and garland grasslands of alpine and subalpine slopes and summits of the central and southern Apennines, dominated by [Sesleria tenuifolia] ([Sesleria juncifolia]), [Sesleria nitida], [Sesleria italica], [Festuca dimorpha], [Carex kitaibeliana] ([Cesleria laevis]).


description:
[Erica cinerea] and [Cistus salvifolius] heaths of the Aquitanian coast, with irradiations in the Landes and to the Montagne noire and Minervois.


description:
Arid [Erica cinerea] heaths of interior sandy hills and dunes of the Landes of Gascony and of Sologne gravels, with [Halimium alyssoides].


description:
Supra- and sometimes meso-Mediterranean [Quercus pyrenaica] forests of western Iberia, the Leonese interior, the Cordillera Central, the Iberian Range, the Montes de Toledo and the Sierra Morena.


hname:
Sub-Atlantic Iberian [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the Orensano-Sanabrian and Leonese mountains and of the western Cordillera Central.


hname:
Sub-Atlantic sub-humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
Supra- and meso-Mediterranean sub-humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the Orensano-Sanabrian mountains and the Sierra de Gata complex.


hname:
Sub-Atlantic humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
Supra-Mediterranean humid to hyper-humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the Orensano-Sanabrian and Leonese mountains, the Serra da Estrela and the Sierra de Gata complex.


hname:
Iberian sub-continental [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the central and eastern Cordillera Central and of the Northern and Eastern Iberian Ranges.


hname:
Sub-continental sub-humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
Supra-Mediterranean sub-humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests of Bejar, Gredos, Guadarrama, Ayllon and of the Northern and Eastern Iberian Ranges.


hname:
Sub-continental humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
Supra-Mediterranean humid to hyper-humid [Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the Sierra de Ayllon, the northern Iberian Range and, very locally, the Castillian flank of the Cantabrian chain.


description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the southern Hercynian ranges, limited to enclaves of the Montes de Toledo system and Sierra Morena satellites.


hname:
Lower Mariano-Oretanian [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the meso-Mediterranean level of the Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena systems.


hname:
Upper Mariano-Oretanian [Quercus pyrenaica] forests

description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests developed above 1000 metres in the highest ranges of the Montes de Toledo (Villuercas, Rocigalgo) and in a few satellites of the Sierra Morena (Sierra Madrona, Sierra Palomera).


description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] formations of medio-European character, of the collinar and montane levels of the Cantabrian chain and its satellite ranges west to the Sierra de Picos de Ancares in Galicia, characteristic of areas with comparatively low precipitation, in the rain shadow of the coastward ranges or the interior oro-Cantabrian hills.


description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests of the sub-Mediterranean siliceous enclaves of the Maestrazgo and eastern Catalonian ranges, reduced to a very few relicts in the Penagolosa and Prades massifs.


description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests of siliceous supra-Mediterranean areas with sub-humid climate of the western Sierra Nevada, the Sierra de Alfacar, the northern flancs of the Sierra de Cazulas and the Sierra Tejeda; in more humid locations [Fraxinus angustifolia] and [Acer granatense] accompany [Quercus pyrenaica].


description:
[Quercus pyrenaica] forests of southwestern France north to the Sologne where they constitute relatively estensive formations on poor soils, with [Betula pendula], [Lonicera periclymenum], [Deschampsia flexuosa], [Holcus mollis], [Molinia caerulea], [Teucrium scorodonia].


description:
Nonalluvial deciduous or semideciduous forests or woods of sub-Mediterranean climate regions and supra-Mediterranean altitudinal levels, and of western Eurasian steppe and substeppe zones of Ostryo-Carpinion alliance, dominated by [Ostrya carpinifolia], [Carpinus orientalis], [Acer] spp., [Fraxinus] spp., [Tilia] spp. or [Celtis australis]; like the thermophilous oak woods of unit G1.7, they may, under local microclimatic or edaphic conditions, replace the evergreen oak forests in mesomediterranean or thermo-Mediterranean areas, and irradiate far north into medio-European or sub-Atlantic regions.


description:
Forests or woods of sub-Mediterranean, sometimes mesomediterranean, climate regions and supra-Mediterranean altitudinal levels dominated by [Ostrya carpinifolia].


hname:
Hydrolittoral mussel beds: with little or no macrophyte vegetation


hname:
Hydrolittoral mussel beds: dominated by macrophyte vegetation


description:
Littoral sediment includes habitats of shingle (mobile cobbles and pebbles), gravel, sand and mud or any combination of these which occur in the intertidal zone. Littoral sediment is defined further using descriptions of particle sizes - mainly gravel (16-4 mm), coarse sand (4-1 mm), medium sand (1-0.25 mm), fine sand (0.25-0.063 mm) and mud (less than 0.063 mm) and various admixtures of these (and coarser) grades - muddy sand, sandy mud and mixed sediment (cobbles, gravel, sand and mud together). Littoral sediments support communities tolerant to some degree of drainage at low tide and often subject to variation in air temperature and reduced salinity in estuarine situations. Very coarse sediments tend to support few macrofaunal species because these sediments tend to be mobile and subject to a high degree of drying when exposed at low tide. Finer sediments tend to be more stable and retain some water between high tides, and therefore support a greater diversity of species. Medium and fine sand shores usually support a range of oligochaetes, polychaetes, and burrowing crustaceans, and even more stable muddy sand shores also support a range of bivalves. Very fine and cohesive sediment (mud) tends to have a lower species diversity, because oxygen cannot penetrate far below the sediment surface. A black, anoxic layer of sediment develops under these circumstances, which may extend to the sediment surface and in which few species can survive. Some intertidal sediments are dominated by angiosperms, e.g. eelgrass ([Zostera noltii]) beds on the mid and upper shore of muddy sand flats, or saltmarshes which develop on the extreme upper shore of sheltered fine sediment flats.
Situation: Littoral sediments are found across the entire intertidal zone, including the strandline. Sediment biotopes can extend further landwards (dune systems, marshes) and further seawards (sublittoral sediments). Sediment shores are generally found along relatively more sheltered stretches of coast compared to rocky shores. Muddy shores or muddy sand shores occur mainly in very sheltered inlets and along estuaries, where wave exposure is low enough to allow fine sediments to settle. Sandy shores and coarser sediment (gravel, pebbles, cobbles) shores are found in areas subject to higher wave exposures.
Temporal variation: Littoral sediment environments can change markedly over seasonal cycles, with sediment being eroded during winter storms and accreted during calmer summer months. The particle size structure of the sediment may change from finer to coarser during winter months, as finer sediment gets resuspended in seasonal exposed conditions. This may affect the sediment infauna, with some species only present in summer when sediments are more stable. These changes are most likely to affect sandy shores on relatively open shores. Sheltered muddy shores are likely to be more stable throughout the year, but may have a seasonal cover of green seaweeds during the summer period, particularly in nutrient enriched areas or where there is freshwater input.


description:
Littoral coarse sediments include shores of mobile pebbles, cobbles and gravel, sometimes with varying amounts of coarse sand. The sediment is highly mobile and subject to high degrees of drying between tides. As a result, few species are able to survive in this environment. Beaches of mobile cobbles and pebbles tend to be devoid of macroinfauna, while gravelly shores may support limited numbers of crustaceans, such as [Pectenogammarus planicrurus].
Situation: Littoral coarse sediments are found along relatively exposed open shores, where wave action prevents finer sediments from settling. Coarse sediments may also be present on the upper parts of shores where there are more stable, sandy biotopes on the lower and mid shore.
Temporal variation: The sediment particle size structure may vary seasonally, with relatively finer sediments able to settle during calmer conditions in summer. Where the sediment grain size is very large (at the interface between sediment and boulder shores), cobbles may be mobile during exposed winter conditions, but stable enough during summer months to support limited juvenile rocky shore epifauna (e.g. juvenile barnacles).


description:
Shores of shingle (mobile cobbles and pebbles) or coarse gravel, typically deposited as a result of onshore wave action and long-shore drift. The particle size tends to increase along the shore in the direction of the long-shore drift. As the sediment is very coarse and often quite mobile, it typically supports little marine life, other than opportunist amphipods and oligochaete worms. Summer growths of ephemeral green algae ([Enteromorpha] spp.) may develop.

author:
Connor, D.W., Brazier, D.P., Hill, T.O., & Northen, K.O.

title:
Marine Nature Conservation Review: marine biotope classification for Britain and Ireland. Vol. 1, Littoral biotopes; Vol. 2, Sublittoral biotopes.


description:
Shingle or gravel shores, typically with sediment particle size ranging from 4 - 256 mm, sometimes with some coarse sand mixed in. This biotope is normally only found on exposed open coasts in fully marine conditions. Such shores tend to support virtually no macrofauna in their very mobile and freely draining substratum. The few individuals that may be found are those washed into the habitat by the ebbing tide, including the occasional amphipod or small polychaete.
Situation: This unit often extends over the whole shore, sometimes extending into the subtidal zone. It may occur on the upper shore above A2.221, and in moderately exposed conditions, above unit A2.223 on the lower shore. Unit A2.211 may occur on the same shore as A2.111, where driftlines of algae and other debris accumulate on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: There may be a temporary cover of the green seaweeds [Enteromorpha] spp. or [Ulva] spp. during periods of stability in the summer.


hname:
[Pectenogammarus planicrurus] in mid shore well-sorted gravel or coarse sand

description:
Shores of well-sorted gravel with a predominant particle size of 4.0 mm but ranging between 3 and 6 mm support dense populations of the amphipod [Pectenogammarus planicrurus]. Material finer than 2 mm reduces the ability of the amphipod to survive. The amphipod is tolerant of variable salinity, although a preference for a specific salinity regime has not been determined. As this habitat is regularly under-surveyed, its distribution is unclear.
Situation: The biotope is often associated with the lee side (wind or tide) of obstacles such as rock outcrops and groynes; this may be due to the deposition of algal debris, shelter from wave action or degree of sorting due to localised tidal flow around the obstacle (most likely a combination of the first and last influence).


description:
Shores of coarse sediments (shingle, gravels and coarse sand) in the upper reaches of estuaries and other inlets (e.g. sealochs) which are subject to variable and reduced salinity conditions. The outflow of riverine freshwater at the heads of the inlets results in the washing out of fine particulate matter, leaving coarse sediments. These are typically species-poor and characterised by oligochaete worms (cf. A2.222).


hname:
Mediterranean communities of mediolittoral coarse detritic bottoms

description:
These biocenoses consist mainly of detritus-feeding species which draw their nourishment from decaying vegetation and miscellaneous debris caught up in the shingle. It is characterised by two crustaceans, the amphipod [Gammarus olivii] and the isopod [Sphaeroma serratum]. These communities are exposed to alternating  water submersion and emersion because of variations in the water level, and they are frequently moistened by wavelets.


hname:
Facies of banks of dead leaves of [Posidonia oceanica] and other phanerogams

description:
This facies is characterized by the accumulation of plant debris made up mostly of dead [Posidonia oceanica] leaves and/or other marine phanerogams species (e. g. [Cymodocea nodosa], [Zostera noltii], etc.)


description:
Shores comprising clean sands (coarse, medium or fine-grained) and muddy sands with up to 25% silt and clay fraction. Shells and stones may occasionally be present on the surface. The sand may be duned or rippled as a result of wave action or tidal currents. Littoral sands exhibit varying degrees of drying at low tide depending on the steepness of the shore, the sediment grade and the height on the shore. The more mobile sand shores are relatively impoverished (A2.22), with more species-rich communities of amphipods, polychaetes and, on the lower shore, bivalves developing with increasing stability in finer sand habitats (A2.23). Muddy sands (A2.24), the most stable within this habitat complex, contain the highest proportion of bivalves.
Situation: A strandline of talitrid amphipods (A2.211) typically develops at the top of the shore where decaying seaweed accumulates. Fully marine sandy shores occur along stretches of open coast, whilst muddy sands are often present in more sheltered lower estuarine conditions and may be subject to some freshwater influence.
Temporal variation: Littoral sandy shore environments can change markedly over seasonal cycles, with sediment being eroded during winter storms and accreted during calmer summer months. The particle size structure of the sediment may change from finer to coarser during winter months, as finer sediment gets resuspended in seasonal exposed conditions. This may affect the sediment infauna, with some species only present in summer when sediments are more stable. More sheltered muddy sand shores are likely to be more stable throughout the year, but may have a seasonal cover of green seaweeds during the summer period, particularly in nutrient enriched areas or where there is freshwater input.


description:
The strandline is the shifting line of decomposing seaweed and debris which is typically left behind on sediment (and some rocky shores) at the upper extreme of the intertidal at each high tide. These ephemeral bands of seaweed often shelter communities of sandhoppers. A fauna of dense juvenile mussels may be found in sheltered firths, attached to algae on shores of pebbles, gravel, sand, mud and shell debris with a strandline of fucoid algae.
Situation: Strandlines may occur in bands along the upper extreme of any sediment shore and some rocky shores.
Temporal variation: Strandlines tend to be mobile, as they consist of driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris, which will decompose, and be shifted by the tide. The amount of debris washed up on strandlines, and hence the extent of the strandline, may vary significantly depending on factors such as recent storms or high tides.


hname:
Talitrids on the upper shore and strandline

description:
A community of sandhoppers (talitrid amphipods) may occur on any shore where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris accumulate on the strandline. The biotope occurs most frequently on medium and fine sandy shores, but may also occur on a wide variety of sediment shores composed of muddy sediment, shingle and mixed substrata, or on rocky shores. The decaying seaweed provides cover and humidity for the sandhopper [Talitrus saltator]. In places on sand that regularly accumulate larger amounts of weed, [Talorchestia deshayesii] is often present. Oligochaetes, mainly enchytraeids, can occur where the stranded debris remains damp as a result of freshwater seepage across the shore or mass accumulation of weed in shaded situations. On shingle and gravel shores and behind saltmarshes the strandline talitrid species tend to be mainly [Orchestia] species. Abundances of the characterising species tend to be highly patchy. Two characterising species lists are presented below. They are derived from two sets of data, which were analysed separately. The first shows data from infaunal samples, the second shows data from epifaunal samples. The epifaunal lists contains no counts per square metre, as the data were collected on the SACFOR scale.
Situation: This unit may occur on the same shore as a range of sediment (especially sandy) biotopes, where driftlines of algae and other debris accumulate on the upper shore. These biotopes include units A2.111, A2.221, A2.222, A2.223, and A2.231. The biotope also occurs at the back of boulder, cobble and pebble shores, above mixed sediment and rocky biotopes.
Temporal variation: This biotope varies in its position between spring and neap tides, and as a result of changing weather. After storms, it may extend into the fore dunes, during spring tides it will occur high on the shore, and during neaps the greatest numbers of talitrids may be found at or just below MHWN level. The amount of debris washed up on strandlines, and hence the extent of this biotope, may also vary significantly depending on factors such as recent storms or high tides.


hname:
[Mytilus edulis] and [Fabricia sabella] in littoral mixed sediment

description:
Pebbles, gravel, sand and shell debris with mud in sheltered Firths with a strandline of fucoid algae. The fauna is characterised by juvenile mussels [Mytilus edulis], often in very high numbers. The nemertean worm [Lineus] spp. may be abundant and oligochaetes are common. Polychaetes such as [Pygospio elegans], [Scoloplos armiger] and [Fabricia sabella] may be present in high densities. [Fabricia sabella] is typically found amongst algal holdfasts and between cobbles on rocky shores. The bivalves [Macoma balthica] and [Cerastoderma edule], typical of muddy sediments, characterise the community. The validity of this biotope is uncertain, as the only available data, from the Dornoch Firth and the Moray Firth, are poor. Its position within the classification, as a strandline community, is also very uncertain, but there is not enough information available for a better description or classification at this stage.
Situation: Occurs on sheltered shores of the Dornoch Firth and Moray Firth.


hname:
Barren or amphipod-dominated mobile sand shores

description:
Shores consisting of clean mobile sands (coarse, medium and some fine-grained), with little very fine sand, and no mud present. Shells and stones may occasionally be present on the surface. The sand may be duned or rippled as a result of wave action or tidal currents. The sands are non-cohesive, with low water retention, and thus subject to drying out between tides, especially on the upper shore and where the shore profile is steep. Most of these shores support a limited range of species, ranging from barren, highly mobile sands to more stable clean sands supporting communities of isopods, amphipods and a limited range of polychaetes. Species which can characterise mobile sand communities include [Scolelepis squamata], [Pontocrates arenarius], [Bathyporeia pelagica], [B. pilosa], [Haustorius arenarius] and [Eurydice pulchra].
Situation: Mobile sand shores are typically situated along open stretches of coastline, with a relatively high degree of wave exposure. Bands of gravel and shingle may be present on the upper shore of exposed beaches. Where the wave exposure is less, and the shore profile more shallow, mobile sand communities may also be present on the upper part of the shore, with more stable fine sand communities present lower down. A strandline of talitrid amphipods (A2.211) typically develops at the top of the shore where decaying seaweed accumulates.
Temporal variation: Mobile sand shores may show significant seasonal changes, with sediment accretion during calm summer periods and beach erosion during more stormy winter months. There may be a change in sediment particle size structure, with finer sediment grains washed out during winter months, leaving behind coarser sediments.


description:
Freely-draining sandy beaches, particularly on the upper and mid shore, which lack a macrofaunal community due to their continual mobility. Trial excavations are unlikely to reveal any macrofauna in these typically steep beaches on exposed coasts. Oligochaetes, probably mainly enchytraeids, and the isopod [Eurydice pulchra] may be found in extremely low abundances, but if present in any quantity should be classed as units A2.3223 or A2.2232. Burrowing amphipods ([Bathyporeia] spp.) may be present on very rare occasions. Occasionally, other species may be left behind in low abundance by the ebbing tide.
Situation: This unit may occur on the mid and/or lower shore below A2.111 in exposed conditions. In moderately exposed conditions, and where A2.221 occurs on the upper shore, a range of relatively more species-rich clean sand communities may occur on the mid and lower shore. These include A2.223, A2.222, and A2.231, depending on the degree of wave exposure and sediment mobility. Tal may occur on the same shore as A2.221, where driftlines of algae and other debris accumulate on the upper shore.


description:
A species-poor community of oligochaetes occurring in estuarine conditions where sands and gravel are associated with the lower shore river channel in estuaries. The sediment is relatively coarse and mobile due to strong river flow and subject to variable salinity. The biotope also occurs in fully marine conditions on open shores with mobile, medium to fine, usually clean, sand. Oligochaetes, including enchytraeid oligochaetes, constitute the infaunal assemblage. This biotope has been split into two sub-biotopes, based on the physical environment (a full-salinity and a variable salinity type).
Situation: This unit often occurs in variable salinity conditions, in channels of very fast flowing river mouths at the bottom of otherwise sheltered estuarine shores. In this situation, biotopes under the A2.31 and A2.32 biotope complexes may be present above the river channel. A2.222 also occurs on open, fully marine shores. Where it is situated on the mid shore, units A2.111 and/or A2.221 may be present on the upper shore, and lower down on the shore, A2.2231 and A2.2233 may be found. A2.222 may also occur on the upper shore, with A2.2232 present on the mid shore, and A2.2311 or A2.2312 on the lower shore. A2.211may be found on the upper shore where driftlines of wracks and debris accumulate.
Temporal variation: Wave exposure may be higher on some beaches during winter than during the summer months, leading to the disappearance of infaunal species in winter. Where this happens, the biotope may change to unit A2.221. If conditions become more sheltered, seasonally or permanently, the sediment may become colonised by a greater range of species and the area may change to A2.223.


hname:
Oligochaetes in full salinity littoral mobile sand

description:
A species-poor community of oligochaetes occurring in fully marine conditions on open shores with mobile, medium to fine, usually clean, sand. Oligochaetes, including enchytraeid oligochaetes, constitute the infaunal assemblage. On rare occasions individuals of polychaete or crustacean species may be encountered (e.g. [Nephtys] spp., [Eurydice pulchra], [Bathyporeia] spp.), though these are not characterising for the biotope and if present in any significant abundance, the area should be classed as unit A2.223.
Situation: Where A2.2221 is situated on the mid shore, A2.111 and/or A2.221 may be present on the upper shore, and lower down on the shore, A2.2231 and A2.2233 may be found. A2.3223 may also occur on the upper shore, with A2.2232 present on the mid shore, and A2.2311 or A2.2312 on the lower shore. A2.211 may be found on the upper shore where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris accumulate.
Temporal variation: Wave exposure may be higher on some beaches during winter than during the summer months, leading to the disappearance of infaunal species in winter. Where this happens, the biotope may change to A2.221. If conditions become more sheltered, seasonally or permanently, the sediment may become colonised by a greater range of species and the area may change to A2.223.


hname:
Oligochaetes in variable salinity littoral mobile sand

description:
A species-poor community of oligochaetes occurring in estuarine conditions where sands and gravel are associated with the lower shore river channel in estuaries. The sediment is relatively coarse and mobile due to strong river flow and subject to variable salinity. There is usually very little mud in the sediment. Oligochaetes, including enchytraeid oligochaetes, constitute the infaunal assemblage. Nemerteans may be present, and nematodes may be frequent.
Situation: This unit occurs in channels of very fast flowing river mouths at the bottom of otherwise sheltered estuarine shores. In this situation, biotopes under the A2.31 and A2.32 biotope complexes may be present above the river channel. Unit A2.211 may be found on the upper shore where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris accumulate.


hname:
Amphipods and [Scolelepis] spp. in littoral medium-fine sand

description:
Mobile clean sandy beaches on exposed and moderately exposed shores, with sediment grain sizes ranging from medium to fine, often with a fraction of coarser sediment. The sediment contains little or no organic matter, and usually no anoxic layer is present at all. It tends to be well-drained, retaining little water at low tide, though the sediment of the A2.2233 sub-unit may remain damp throughout the tidal cycle. These beaches usually occur under fully marine conditions, though the A2.2232 sub-unit may occur under moderately exposed lower estuarine conditions. The mobility of the sediment leads to a species-poor community, dominated by polychaetes, isopods and burrowing amphipods. [Scolelepis] spp. can tolerate well-drained conditions, and are often present in well-draining, coarser sand. Burrowing amphipods that often occur in this biotope include [Bathyporeia] spp., [Pontocrates arenarius], and [Haustorius arenarius]. The isopod [Eurydice pulchra] is also often present. On semi-exposed beaches with a moderate tide range where there is a marked high-shore berm, there can be a marked seepage at the foot of the berm that probably carries the products of the organic matter derived from strand line breakdown. Here in a narrow zone, exceptionally high populations of [Bathyporeia pilosa], sometimes above 10000 per square metre, may occur. The zone may be narrower than the strandline and could easily be missed on surveys were only a few levels are sampled. Three sub-biotopes are described for this biotope, based principally on differences in infaunal species composition.
Situation: Situated mainly on the mid and lower shore, sometimes upper shore, of exposed to moderately exposed beaches. Under more exposed conditions, it may occur below A2.221, or A2.111. Under more sheltered conditions, it may occur above the communities of unit A2.231. Unit A2.211 may be present on the same shores as A2.223, where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris occur on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: Winter storms may reduce the number of or temporarily remove macroinvertebrates from exposed sandy beaches, with the sediment becoming re-colonised during the summer months.


hname:
[Scolelepis] spp. in littoral mobile sand

description:
Exposed and moderately exposed shores of fully marine mobile clean sand, with particle sizes ranging from coarse to very fine. The sediment is not always well sorted, and may contain a subsurface layer of gravel or shell debris. Usually no anoxic layer is present. The mobility of the sediment leads to a species-poor community, dominated by the polychaetes [Scolelepis squamata] and [S. foliosa]. The amphipod [Bathyporeia pilosa] may be present. Further species that may be present in this sub-biotope include the amphipods [B. pelagica] and [Haustorius arenarius], and the isopod [Eurydice pulchra]. The lugworm [Arenicola marina] may also occur.
Situation: Situated mainly on the mid and lower shore, sometimes upper shore, of exposed to moderately exposed beaches. Under more exposed conditions, it may occur below A2.2232, A2.221, or A2.111, and on the same shores as A2.2233. Under more sheltered conditions, it may occur above the A2.231 communities. Unit A2.211may be present on the same shores, where driftlines of wrack and other debris occur on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: Winter storms may reduce the number of or temporarily remove macroinvertebrates from exposed sandy beaches, with the sediment becoming re-colonised during the summer months.


hname:
[Eurydice pulchra] in littoral mobile sand

description:
Well-draining beaches of medium- to fine-grained mobile sand, often (but not always) well sorted. Occasionally, a small fraction of coarse sand may be present. The biotope generally occurs on exposed open coasts, but sometimes in estuarine conditions, supporting populations of the isopod [Eurydice pulchra] and burrowing amphipods which frequently include [Bathyporeia pilosa] and [Haustorius arenarius]. The degree of drainage appears to be a critical factor in determining the presence of polychaetes, with only [Scolelepis squamata] capable of tolerating the well-drained sediments of this biotope. This biotope has two facies: drying upper and mid shore sands, and highly mobile lower shore and shallow sublittoral sand bars. Where this biotope occurs in estuarine conditions, [H. arenarius] is often highly abundant.
Situation:This unit may occur on the mid and upper shore together with unit A2.2231, below A2.3223, or above A2.2233 and the A2.231 communities. Under more exposed, open conditions, this unit may be restricted to the lower part of the shore, with A2.3223, barren sand (A2.221) or barren shingle (A2.111) on the upper shore. Unit A2.211 may occur where driftlines of wracks or other debris accumulate on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: Winter storms may reduce the number of or temporarily remove macroinvertebrates from exposed sandy beaches, with the sediment becoming re-colonised during the summer months.


hname:
[Pontocrates arenarius] in littoral mobile sand

description:
Mainly on the mid and lower shore on wave-exposed or moderately wave-exposed coasts of medium and fine sand, sometimes with a fraction of coarse sand, which remains damp throughout the tidal cycle and contains little organic matter. The sediment is often rippled and typically lacks an anoxic sub-surface layer. The infauna is dominated by burrowing amphipods, most notably [Pontocrates arenarius], as well as [Bathyporeia pelagica, Haustorius arenarius] and the isopod [Eurydice pulchra]. The polychaete fauna is poor, dominated by [Scolelepis squamata], which tolerates the exposed and mobile sediment conditions. The presence of polychaetes may be seen as coloured burrows running down from the surface of the sediment.
Situation: This biotope may be present on the lower shore, where units A2.221, A2.2232, or A2.2231 are present higher up. Where this unit occurs on the mid shore in relatively sheltered conditions, unit A2.231 may be present on the lower shore. Unit A2.211 may be present where driftlines of fucoids and other debris occur on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: This biotope may change to unit A2.2232, which is very similar in character, if [P. arenarius] decreases in abundance. Winter storms may reduce the number of or temporarily remove macroinvertebrates from exposed sandy beaches, with the sediment becoming re-colonised during the summer months.


description:
Shores of clean, medium to fine and very fine sand, with no coarse sand, gravel or mud present. Shells and stones may occasionally be present on the surface. The sand may be duned or rippled as a result of wave action or tidal currents. The degree of drying between tides is limited, and the sediment usually remains damp throughout the tidal cycle. Typically, no anoxic layer is present. Fine sand shores support a range of species including amphipods and polychaetes. On the lower shore, and where sediments are stable, bivalves such as [Angulus tenuis] may be present in large numbers. An exceptionally rich fine sand community has been recorded from very sheltered reduced salinity shores in Poole Harbour. Species recorded include [Anaitides maculata], [Hediste diversicolor], [Scoloplos armiger], [Pygospio elegans], [Tharyx killariensis], oligochaetes, [Gammarus locusta], [Hydrobia ulvae], [Cerastoderma edule] and [Mya truncata].
Situation: Fine sand communities may be present throughout the intertidal zone on moderately exposed beaches, or they may be present on the lower parts of the shore with mobile sand communities present along the upper shore. A strandline of talitrid amphipods (A2.211) typically develops at the top of the shore where decaying seaweed accumulates.
Temporal variation: Fine sand shores may show seasonal changes, with sediment accretion during calm summer periods and beach erosion during more stormy winter months. There may be a change in sediment particle size structure, with finer sediment grains washed out during winter months, leaving behind coarser sediments.


description:
Moderately exposed or sheltered beaches of medium and fine, usually clean, sand, though the sediment may on rare occasions contain a small silt and clay fraction. The sediment is relatively stable, remains damp throughout the tidal cycle, and contains little organic matter. It is often rippled and typically lacks an anoxic sub-surface layer. Where an anoxic layer is present, it occurs at a depth below 10 cm and tends to be patchy. The biotope occurs mainly on the lower part of the shore, and relatively frequently on the mid shore. It is only rarely present above mid shore level, except where coastal defences cause backwash onto the upper shore. Conditions are usually fully marine, though the biotope can also occur in open lower estuarine conditions. The infaunal community is dominated by a range of polychaete species such as [Nephtys cirrosa], [Paraonis fulgens], [Spio] spp., [Pygospio elegans], [Ophelia rathkei] and [Scoloplos armiger]. The presence of polychaetes may be seen as coloured burrows running down from the surface of the sediment, and [Arenicola marina] casts may be present on the sediment surface. The amphipods [Bathyporeia] spp. and [Pontocrates arenarius] frequently occur, and nemerteans are often present. On some North Wales shores, the presence of [Arenicola] species characterises the lowest part of the shore, with a range of species characteristic of the shallow sublittoral. These include sparsely distributed [Echinocardium], [Amphiura brachiata], [Ensis siliqua] and [Fabulina fabula]. This biotope is split into three sub-biotopes, between which there can be a large degree of overlap. The bivalve [Angulus tenuis] dominates the A2.2312 sub-biotope, which is characterised by slightly more stable and fine sediments than the other two sub-biotopes.
Situation: This unit may be present below the communities of units A2.223  or A2.2221 on moderately exposed shores. A2.221 may occur on the upper part of the shore if it is subject to drying in between tides. The strandline biotope A2.211 may be present on the same shore where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris occur on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: The infauna of this biotope may be affected significantly by seasonal changes in degree of wave exposure. During stormy winters, the sediment may become de-stabilised, leading to the disappearance of some macroinfaunal species. The lugworm [A. marina] may be present occasionally, usually as a temporary recruitment and is likely to be washed out during storms.


hname:
Polychaetes, including Paraonis fulgens, in littoral fine sand

description:
This biotope occurs mainly on the mid and lower shore of moderately wave-exposed coasts, with medium and fine clean sand which remains damp throughout the tidal cycle and contains little organic matter. The sediment is often rippled and typically lacks an anoxic sub-surface layer. Polychaetes make up the greater part of the community, and are dominated by [Paraonis fulgens], [Capitella capitata], [Pygospio elegans], [Ophelia rathkei] and [Eteone longa]. The presence of polychaetes may be seen as coloured burrows running down from the surface of the sediment. Nemerteans may also be present. The amphipods [Bathyporeia pilosa] and [B. sarsi] are often present.
Situation: This unit may be present higher up on the shore than unit A2.2312, or lower down than the A2.223 communities or A2.2221. The strandline community A2.211 may be present on the same shore where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris occur on the upper shore.
Temporal variation: The infauna of this biotope may be reduced during winter, as increased storminess and wave action increases sediment mobility and may lead to some species migrating or being washed out of the sediment. The lugworm [Arenicola marina] may be present occasionally, usually as a temporary recruitment and is likely to be washed out during storms.


hname:
Polychaetes and [Angulus tenuis] in littoral fine sand

description:
This biotope occurs on the mid and lower shore on moderately wave-exposed and sheltered coasts, with predominantly fine sand which remains damp throughout the tidal cycle. The sediment is often rippled, and an anoxic layer may occasionally occur below a depth of 10 cm, though it is often patchy. The infaunal community is dominated by the abundant bivalve [Angulus tenuis] together with a range of polychaetes. The presence of polychaetes may be seen as coloured burrows running down from the surface of the sediment. Polychaetes that are characterising for this biotope include [Nephtys cirrosa], [Paraonis fulgens] and [Spio filicornis]. Burrowing amphipods [Bathyporeia] spp. may occur in some samples of this biotope.
Situation: Where it occurs under moderately exposed conditions, units A2.2232, A2.2311 or A2.2221 may be present higher up on the shore than this unit. Where it occurs under more sheltered conditions, it may occur below or alongside muddy sand biotopes such as units A2.242 and A2.244.
Temporal variation: The infauna of this biotope may be reduced during winter, as increased storminess and wave action increases sediment mobility and may lead to some species migrating or being washed out of the sediment.


description:
Proposed new level 4 habitat to account for fully marine habitats in the Waddensea and elsewhere.


description:
Shores of mixed sediments ranging from muds with gravel and sand components to mixed sediments with pebbles, gravels, sands and mud in more even proportions. By definition, mixed sediments are poorly sorted. Stable large cobbles or boulders may be present which support epibiota such as fucoids and green seaweeds more commonly found on rocky and boulder shores. Mixed sediments which are predominantly muddy tend to support infaunal communities which are similar to those of mud and sandy mud shores.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between areas of mudflat or sandy mudflat, and mixed sediment biotopes where the sediment consists principally of mud but has significant proportions of gravel and sand mixed in. Gravelly mud may occur in patches on mudflats. Similarly, there is unlikely to be an easily defined boundary between areas of mixed sediment with stable cobbles and boulders, and boulder fields which fall into the rocky shore category.


hname:
Ragworm dominated gravelly sandy mud shores

description:
Sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to reduced salinity, mainly on the mid and lower shore. The infaunal community is dominated by abundant ragworms [Hediste diversicolor]. Other species of the infauna vary for the sub-biotopes described. They include polychaetes such as [Pygospio elegans], [Streblospio shrubsolii], and [Manayunkia aestuarina], oligochaetes such as [Heterochaeta costata] and [Tubificoides] spp., the mud shrimp [Corophium volutator], the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae], the baltic tellin [Macoma balthica] and the peppery furrow shell [Scrobicularia plana]. Sub-biotopes described in A2.411 have equivalent communities in soft muddy sediments, but the sediment here is much firmer due to the gravel component. There are relatively few records in each sub-type, leading to uncertainty over the precise nature of the habitat, particularly regarding sediment type and salinity regime.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between the sub-biotopes of A2.411, and the corresponding muddy sediment biotopes. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with the A2.411 groups present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat where the main biotopes are their corresponding mud or sandy mud biotopes. Given the small number of records for each of the sub-biotopes, their spatial distribution is still uncertain.


hname:
[Hediste diversicolor] in littoral gravelly muddy sand and gravelly sandy mud

description:
Sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to reduced salinity, mainly on the mid and lower shore. The infaunal community is dominated by abundant ragworms [Hediste diversicolor]. Other species of the infauna vary for the sub-biotopes described. They include polychaetes such as [Pygospio elegans], [Streblospio shrubsolii], and [Manayunkia aestuarina], oligochaetes such as [Heterochaeta costata] and [Tubificoides] spp., the mud shrimp [Corophium volutator], the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae], the baltic tellin [Macoma balthica] and the peppery furrow shell [Scrobicularia plana]. Sub-biotopes described as subunits of this unit have equivalent communities in soft muddy sediments, but the sediment here is much firmer due to the gravel component. There are relatively few records in each sub-type, leading to uncertainty over the precise nature of the habitat, particularly regarding sediment type and salinity regime.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between the sub-biotopes of A2.411, and the corresponding muddy sediment biotopes. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with the A2.411 groups present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat where the main biotopes are their corresponding mud or sandy mud biotopes. Given the small number of records for each of the sub-biotopes, their spatial distribution is still uncertain.


hname:
[Hediste diversicolor] and [Macoma balthica] in littoral gravelly mud

description:
Sheltered gravelly mud shores, subject to reduced salinity. The infaunal community consists of the ragworm [Hediste diversicolor], as well as the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae] and the baltic tellin [Macoma balthica]. The presence of the gravel in the sediment is unlikely to have a large influence on the infaunal composition, which is driven mainly by the estuarine sandy mud conditions. Coarse material on the sediment surface may however enrich the biota with additional epifaunal species such as barnacles and algae. Given the low sample numbers for this biotope, more records are needed to confirm the characterising species list.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between this biotope, and the corresponding muddy sediment biotope, unit A2.312. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with A2.4111 present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat, where the main biotope is A2.312. This biotope has been found alongside its mud equivalent in the Stour estuary.


hname:
[Hediste diversicolor] and [Scrobicularia plana] in littoral gravelly mud

description:
Extremely sheltered gravelly mud on the mid and lower shore, containing little sand with occasional cobbles. The infaunal community includes the ragworm [Hediste diversicolor] and the peppery furrow shell [Scrobicularia plana], as well as a range of polychaetes, oligochaetes, and molluscs. Given the low sample numbers for this biotope, more records are needed to confirm the characterising species list.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between this unit and the corresponding muddy sediment biotope A2.313. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with unit A2.4112 present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat, where the main biotope is A2.313.


hname:
[Hediste diversicolor] and [Streblospio shrubsolii] in littoral gravelly sandy mud

description:
Extremely sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to variable salinity, on the mid and lower shore. The infaunal community consists of the ragworm [Hediste diversicolor], [Pygospio elegans], [Streblospio shrubsolii], and [Ampharete grubei], as well as oligochaetes and [Corophium volutator]. There are often low densities of [Scrobicularia plana]. Given the low sample numbers for this biotope, more records are needed to confirm the characterising species list.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between this biotope and the corresponding muddy sediment biotope, unit A2.3221. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with A2.4112 present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat, where the main biotope is A2.3221. This biotope has been found along edges of tidal channels in the upper Stour estuary, below its equivalent mud biotope.


hname:
[Hediste diversicolor], cirratulids and [Tubificoides] spp. in littoral gravelly sandy mud

description:
Sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to variable salinity. The infaunal community consists of the ragworm [Hediste diversicolor], [Pygospio elegans], [Streblospio shrubsolii], and cirratulid polychaetes such as [Tharyx killariensis]. Nematodes and oligochaetes occur, as well as the bivalve [Macoma balthica]. Given the low sample numbers for this biotope, more records are needed to confirm the characterising species list.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between this biotope and the corresponding muddy sediment biotope unit A2.312. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with this unit present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat, where the main biotope is A2.312.


hname:
[Hediste diversicolor] and [Corophium volutator] in littoral gravelly sandy mud

description:
Extremely sheltered gravelly sandy mud, subject to variable or reduced salinity. The infaunal community consists of the ragworm [Hediste diversicolor], [Streblospio shrubsolii], [Capitella capitata] and [Manayunkia aestuarina]. Oligochaetes and [Corophium volutator] are abundant. Given the low sample numbers for this biotope, more records are needed to confirm the characterising species list.
Situation: It is probable that there are broad transition areas between this biotope and the corresponding muddy sediment biotope A2.3222. The boundaries may be very indistinct, with this unit present in patches of gravelly mud on areas of mudflat, where the main biotope is A2.3222.


description:
Sheltered mixed sediments, usually subject to variable salinity conditions. The infauna is very diverse, dominated by a range of polychaetes including [Exogone naidina], [Sphaerosyllis taylori], [Pygospio elegans], [Chaetozone gibber], [Cirriformia tentaculata], [Aphelochaeta marioni], [Capitella capitata], [Mediomastus fragilis], and [Melinna palmata]. The oligochaete worms [Tubificoides benedii] and [T. pseudogaster] are abundant, as is the cockle [Cerastoderma edule]. A large range of amphipods may occur, including [Melita palmata], [Microprotopus maculatus], [Aora gracilis] and [Corophium volutator]. The bivalves [Abra alba] and [A. nitida] may occur. The barnacle [Elminius modestus] may be abundant where the sediment has stones on the surface.
Situation: Mid shore, lower shore, as extension of shallow sublittoral biotope.


hname:
Cirratulids and [Cerastoderma edule] in littoral mixed sediment

description:
Sheltered mixed sediments, usually subject to variable salinity conditions. Banks of shell may be present. The infauna is very diverse, dominated by a range of polychaetes including [Exogone naidina], [Sphaerosyllis taylori], [Pygospio elegans], [Chaetozone gibber], [Cirriformia tentaculata], [Aphelochaeta marioni], [Capitella capitata], [Mediomastus fragilis], and [Melinna palmata]. The oligochaetes [Tubificoides benedii] and [T. pseudogaster] are abundant, as is the cockle [Cerastoderma edule]. A large range of amphipods may occur, including [Melita palmata], [Microprotopus maculatus], [Aora gracilis] and [Corophium volutator]. The bivalves [Abra alba] and [A. nitida] may occur. The barnacle [Elminius modestus] can be abundant where the sediment has stones on the surface. Epifaunal algae may occur attached to stable cobbles on the sediment surface.
Situation: Mid shore, lower shore, as extension of shallow sublittoral biotope.


description:
Eulittoral mixed substrata where the substratum is too mobile or disturbed to support a seaweed community (A2.431). This is a biotope with a low species diversity and the relatively high number of species in the characterising species list are due to a variation in the species composition from site to site, not to high species richness on individual sites.
Note: Connor et al (2004) classify this habitat type together with A1.45 and A2.82 as LR.FLR.Eph


hname:
Barnacles and [Littorina] spp. on unstable eulittoral mixed substrata

description:
The eulittoral zone, particularly the mid shore zone, of sheltered to extremely sheltered mixed substrata shores is often characterised by flat banks or scards of cobbles and pebbles (on sediment) which are either too small or unstable to support a seaweed community. The boulders and larger cobbles are usually colonised by the barnacles [Semibalanus balanoides] or in areas with variable salinity [Elminius modestus] and often dense aggregations of the winkles [Littorina littorea] and [Littorina saxatilis] are present as well. Between the cobbles and pebbles the mussel [Mytilus edulis] occasionally occurs, but always at low abundance. Juvenile crabs [Carcinus maenas] and gammarids may occur between and underneath the pebbles and cobbles. Brown seaweeds are rare, although the wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] may occasionally occur on larger cobbles and small boulders in the mid and upper shore zones. Ephemeral green seaweeds such as [Enteromorpha intestinalis] may also be present. Shallow pools and patches of standing water may occur in low-lying areas and may contain amphipods and filamentous green seaweeds. Due to the unstable nature of the substratum the diversity and density of flora and fauna is characteristically low.
Situation: This biotope is found primarily on enclosed (estuarine) stony shores in wave-sheltered conditions (compare with unit A1.1133) and may be subject to variable levels of salinity. It is found predominately in the mid shore zone below or at the same level as the biotope dominated by ephemeral green seaweeds (A2.821). If it is found in the upper shore region it can be backed by salt marsh species such as [Salacornia] and [Spartina] sp. Below are biotopes dominated by the wracks [Fucus serratus] or [F. vesiculosus] (units A1.3152; A1.3132).


description:
Angiosperm-dominated stands of vegetation, occurring on the extreme upper shore of sheltered coasts and periodically covered by high tides. The vegetation develops on a variety of sandy and muddy sediment types and may have admixtures of coarser material. The character of the saltmarsh communities is affected by height up the shore, resulting in a zonation pattern related to the degree or frequency of immersion in seawater.


description:
The top level of saltmarsh, not covered by all tides. Vigorous [Atriplex] spp., [Beta vulgaris], [Elymus] spp., [Matricaria maritima] may be fertilized by drift decomposition.


hname:
Atlantic saltmarsh and drift rough grass communities

description:
Nitrophilous tall grass communities of Atlantic saltmarshes, green beaches and beach drift accumulations, dominated by [Elymus pycnanthus] ([Agropyron pungens]), [Elymus repens], [Festuca arundinacea] or sometimes tall perennial forbs.


hname:
Atlantic saltmarsh driftline annual communities

description:
Annual formations of pioneers colonizing driftlines forming within Atlantic saltmarshes, with [Atriplex littoralis], [Atriplex hastata], [Beta maritima], [Matricaria maritima].


description:
Communities of annuals forming on accumulations of organic debris in saltmarshes and saline depressions of the Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic coasts and of endoreic (closed drainage) basins of the Mediterranean interior, in particular, of mediterranean Iberia, with [Atriplex hastata], [Suaeda splendens], [Suaeda maritima], [Bassia hirsuta], [Salsola soda], [Rumex pulcher].


hname:
[Elymus pycnanthus] with [Suaeda vera] or [Inula crithmoides] saltmarsh driftlines


hname:
[Suaeda vera] - [Limonium binervosum] saltmarsh driftlines


hname:
[Spergularia marina] - [Puccinellia distans] saltmarsh driftlines


hname:
[Frankenia laevis] - [Halimione portulacoides] saltmarsh driftlines


hname:
[Sagina maritima] ephemeral salt marsh in sand


description:
Salt scrubs with [Arthrocnemum], [Halocnemum], [Suaeda]. Stands, sometimes rather open of [Juncus acutus], [Juncus maritimus]. Numerous other salt-tolerant species, some communities being quite species-rich.


hname:
Atlantic and Baltic brackish saltmarsh communities

description:
Communities of saltmarshes of the Atlantic and its connected seas developed in areas of varying salinity and humidity, such as estuaries, in coastal basins with fresh water input and along brackish seashores, such as those of the inner Baltic.


description:
Communities of saltmarshes of the Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic coasts of Europe, from the Iberian peninsula to Scandinavia, developed in areas of varying salinity and humidity, in particular, in estuarine saltmarshes, in saltmarsh inner basins, in dike-enclsoed saltmarshes, with [Spergularia marina], [Puccinellia distans], [Puccinellia fasciculata], [Puccinellia retroflexa], [Puccinellia maritima], [Triglochin maritima], [Potentilla anserina] and [Halimione portulacoides].


description:
Formations of the brackish shores of the inner Baltic, dominated by [Carex paleacea], with [Eleocharis uniglumis] and [Agrostis stolonifera], accompanied by [Triglochin maritima].


description:
Communities of brackish lower shores of the northern and eastern Baltic dominated by [Carex mackenziei].


hname:
Baltic salt basin [Agrostis]-[Triglochin] swards

description:
Baltic [Agrostis stolonifera]-[Triglochin palustris] formations of depressions submitted to marine salt precipitation.


description:
Communities of the lower levels of the brackish marshes of the Gulf of Bothnia, characteristic of exposed coasts, dominated by the endemic [Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. bottnica] ([Deschampsia bottnica]).


hname:
Mediterranean [Juncus maritimus] and [Juncus acutus] saltmarshes

description:
Beds of tall [Juncus maritimus], [Juncus rigidus] ([Juncus maritimus var. arabicus], [Juncus arabicus]) or [Juncus acutus] of saline grounds of Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic coastlands and of endoreic (closed drainage) interior basins of mediterranean Iberia and mediterranean North Africa, forming, in particular, in periodically inundated depressions , where they may associate with [Carex extensa], [Iris spuria], [Gladiolus communis], [Aster tripolium], [Sonchus maritimus], [Sonchus crassifolius] or other elements of units A2.523 and D6.23, and in sandy dunal depressions, where they may alternate with stands of [Schoenus nigricans] or other formations of unit A2.532.


