Biocenosis of Mediterranean shelf-edge rock

The biocoenoses of the deep circalittoral rocky bottoms mainly composed of sponges, anthozoans, bryozoans and brachiopods while macroscopic plant life is absent. Found near the border of the continental shelf, these biocoenoses, dwelling to 250 m depth, usually occupy rough bottoms where current and turbidity are reasonably important. In these habitats, the progressively lower light conditions have a profound influence on the biocoenoses composition mostly because of reduced primary production, but this zone continues to be characterised by high biodiversity and biomass levels, at times comparable to those found in shallow waters.

Código Eunis 2021: MD151