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A4133 North Atlantic Tidal Rocky Shore Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This algal vegetation occurs on rocky intertidal habitats of the North Atlantic Coast.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: North Atlantic Tidal Rocky Shore Alliance
Colloquial Name: North Atlantic Tidal Rocky Shore
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This algal vegetation occurs on rocky tidal habitats of the North Atlantic Coast. It spans the littoral zone between mean high tide and mean low tide as well as the sublittoral zone. This habitat is characterized by alternating submergence by tidal flooding and exposure to air. Substrate is composed of rocks, boulders, and cobbles. Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus spp. are the most characteristic algae in the intertidal zones. Subtidal kelp beds are included in this alliance, in which Laminaria agardhii, Alaria spp., and Chondrus crispus are dominant and conspicuous. Invertebrates are important members of this community, including Mytilus edulis (blue mussel), Semibalanus balanoides (barnacles), Littorina spp., (periwinkles), and Tectura testudinalis (limpets), as well as species of Asterias (starfish).
Diagnostic Characteristics: Rocky intertidal and subtidal habitats of the North Atlantic characterized by seaweeds.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance requires additional data to describe, as well as comparison to CMECS to examine possible overlapping concepts.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Marine algae attached by holdfasts to rock.
Floristics: Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus spp. are the most characteristic algae in the intertidal zones, with other associates including Enteromorpha spp., Ulva lactuca, Porphyra laciniata, Phyllitis fascia, and Cladophora spp. Subtidal kelp beds are included in this alliance, in which Laminaria agardhii, Alaria spp., and Chondrus crispus are dominant and conspicuous. Other common associates can include Porphyra laciniata, Ceramium rubrum, and Hildenbrandtia prototypus. Additional species of red, green, and brown algae can occur in areas with greater light penetration. Distinct species zonation can reflect upper littoral, lower littoral and sublittoral zones, but species often intergrade.
Dynamics: The rocky substrate is regularly flooded by tides, and is exposed to high wave action and storms. The subtidal zone is usually not exposed, but tidal flows can be substantial. Invertebrates are important members of this alliance, including Mytilus edulis (blue mussel), Semibalanus balanoides (barnacles), Littorina spp., (periwinkles), and Tectura testudinalis (limpets), as well as species of Asterias (starfish). The upper limit of this alliance is determined by desiccation.
Environmental Description: The rocky substrate is regularly flooded by tides, and is exposed to high wave action and storms. The subtidal zone is usually not exposed, but tidal flows can be substantial.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges from the Canadian Maritime Provinces to the mid-Atlantic.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CT, MA, ME, NB?, NH, NS?, NY, QC?, RI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.934811
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class | C05 | 5 |
| Subclass | 5.A Saltwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass | S09 | 5.A |
| Formation | 5.A.2 Benthic Macroalgae Saltwater Vegetation Formation | F053 | 5.A.2 |
| Division | 5.A.2.Wb Temperate Intertidal Shore Division | D047 | 5.A.2.Wb |
| Macrogroup | 5.A.2.Wb.1 Temperate Atlantic Intertidal Shore Macrogroup | M104 | 5.A.2.Wb.1 |
| Group | 5.A.2.Wb.1.a Yellow Tang - Sea-lettuce Intertidal Algal Flat Group | G387 | 5.A.2.Wb.1.a |
| Alliance | A4133 North Atlantic Tidal Rocky Shore Alliance | A4133 | 5.A.2.Wb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL006341 Yellow Tang - Black Tang Tidal Algal Nonvascular Vegetation | CEGL006341 | 5.A.2.Wb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL006344 Common Southern Kelp Tidal Algal Nonvascular Vegetation | CEGL006344 | 5.A.2.Wb.1.a |
Concept Lineage: A.3011 Ascophyllum nodosum - Fucus vesiculosus Tidal Algal Nonvascular Alliance; A.3010 Estuarine Tidal Mudflat Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Kelp forest (Steneck et al. 2002)
>< Rocky Intertidal Community (Menge 1976)
>< Rocky Intertidal Community (Lubchenco 1980)
>< Rocky Intertidal Community (Menge 1976)
>< Rocky Intertidal Community (Lubchenco 1980)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Lubchenco, J. 1980. Algal zonation in the New England rocky intertidal community: An experimental analysis. Ecology 61:333-344.
- Menge, B. A. 1976. Organization of the New England rocky intertidal community: Role of predation, competition, and environmental heterogeneity. Ecological Monographs 46:355-393.
- Steneck, R., M. H. Graham, B. J. Bourque, D. Corbett, J. M. Erlandson, J. A. Estes, and J. M. Tegner. 2002. Kelp forest ecosystems: Biodiversity, stability, resilience and future. Marine Sciences Faculty Scholarship Paper 65.