A habitat full of natural shelters

The presence of cracks and caves provides shelter for numerous marine organisms. This is a zone of clear, highly oxygenated waters, generally warmer than the lower layers, which encourages a great diversity of life.

Vegetation and light: the foundation of the ecosystem

On these seabeds, a sun-loving (photophilic) vegetation develops, requiring abundant sunlight to grow.

Prominent among these are green algae and brown algae, which form the base of the food chain and contribute to the complexity of the ecosystem. The combination of light, shelter and food makes this zone an environment of great biological heterogeneity.

Defence strategies and camouflage

The animals that inhabit these environments have developed various defence mechanisms, such as spines associated with venom glands or the adoption of cryptic colouring, which allow them to blend in with the rocky surroundings.

Also common are species that seek protection in rock crevices and holes, such as the moray eel (Muraena helena) and the nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris)