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Marine Habitat Classification


Description of biotope or habitat type

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   Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe 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; boulders
Zone Sublittoral fringe
Depth Band 0-5 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.

Distribution of habitat IR.MIR.KR.Ldig <I>Laminaria digitata</I> on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock

  • 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

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 Spirobranchus triqueter, the gastropods Patella vulgata and Steromphala 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 (Ldig.Ldig). L. digitata on boulder shores (Ldig.Bo) and soft rock supporting L. digitata, such as the chalk found in south-east England (Ldig.Pid). For L. digitata in sheltered, tide-swept conditions see LdigT.

Situation

No situation data available.

Temporal variation

No temporal variation data available.

Characterising species

Taxon Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) Typical abundance - SACFOR scale % of core records where taxon was recorded
Laminaria digitata 27 Abundant 81-100%
Corallinaceae 12 Abundant 61-80%
Chondrus crispus 5 Frequent 61-80%
Palmaria palmata 5 Frequent 61-80%
Mastocarpus stellatus 4 Frequent 41-60%
Electra pilosa 3 Occasional 41-60%
Corallina officinalis 3 Occasional 41-60%
Fucus serratus 3 Occasional 41-60%
Halichondria panicea 3 Occasional 41-60%
Steromphala cineraria 2 Frequent 41-60%
Membranoptera alata 2 Occasional 41-60%
Spirobranchus triqueter 2 Occasional 41-60%
Cladophora rupestris 1 Occasional 21-40%
Dynamena pumila 1 Occasional 21-40%
Lomentaria articulata 1 Occasional 21-40%
Patella vulgata 1 Occasional 21-40%
Ulva lactuca 1 Occasional 21-40%

Similar biotopes or habitat types

Not applicable or unknown.

Classification history of this biotope or habitat type

Classification version Code
1995 LRK.LDIG

Photos

IR.MIR.KR.Ldig Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock, Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head. Paul Brazier© JNCC
IR.MIR.KR.Ldig Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock, Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head. Paul Brazier© JNCC
IR.MIR.KR.Ldig Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock, Mill Stone Neuk, Dunbar. David Connor© JNCC
IR.MIR.KR.Ldig Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock, Mill Stone Neuk, Dunbar. David Connor© JNCC

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