Description of biotope or habitat type
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Moderate energy infralittoral rock
Physical habitat description
Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
---|---|
Wave exposure | Exposed, Moderately exposed, Sheltered |
Tidal streams | Moderately strong (1-3 kn), Weak (>1 kn), Very weak (negligible) |
Substratum | Bedrock and stable boulders |
Zone | Infralittoral, Sublittoral fringe |
Depth Band | 0-5 m, 5-10 m, 10-20 m, Lower shore |
Other Features |
Download comparative physical and biological data. The comparative tables enable a rapid comparison of the species composition and principal physical characteristics between a given set of biotopes.

- Records used to define the biotope (core records)
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'certain'
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'uncertain'
- Predicted extent of the level 3 (for sublittoral rock & deep sea) or 4 (for sublittoral sediment) habitat
Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot. Predicted habitat extent is from UKSeaMap.
Description
This habitat complex occurs on 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 (KFaR).
Situation
No situation data available.
Temporal variation
No temporal variation data available.
Characterising species
Characterising species data not applicable.
Similar biotopes or habitat types
Not applicable or unknown.