Description of biotope or habitat type
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Pelvetia canaliculata and barnacles on moderately exposed littoral fringe rock
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Exposed, Moderately exposed |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Bedrock; boulders; cobbles |
| Zone | Littoral fringe - lower |
| Depth Band | Upper shore |
| Other Features | Also on steep sheltered bedrock |
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'
Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot.
Description
Exposed to moderately exposed steep, lower littoral fringe rock and mixed substrata characterised by the wrack Pelvetia canaliculata and sparse barnacles Chthamalus montagui and Semibalanus balanoides. On sheltered shores the biotope is restricted to vertical faces. The limpet Patella vulgata and the wrack Fucus spiralis are usually present as well. P. canaliculata typically overgrows a crust of the black lichen Verrucaria maura or on occasion Verrucaria mucosa, in contrast to the red crust Hildenbrandia rubra on very sheltered shores. The winkle Littorina saxatilis is frequently present underneath the fronds of P. canaliculata. Some geographical variation are present and southern and western shores are typically characterised by the barnacle C. montagui or Chthamalus stellatus while S. balanoides dominates on northern and eastern shores. On mixed substrata the barnacle Austrominius modestus may be present.
Situation
PelB is generally found below the V. maura and barnacle zone (Ver.B; Ver.Ver). On exposed shores PelB is found above the biotope dominated by F. spiralis (Fspi) or the mussel Mytilus edulis and barnacles biotope (MytB) or the barnacles and P. vulgata biotopes (Sem). In addition, patches of lichen Lichina pygmaea with the barnacle Chthamalus montagui (Cht.Lpyg) may also occur at the same level or above this biotope, particularly on southern shores. On sheltered to extremely sheltered shores this biotope is limited to very steep or vertical faces.
Temporal variation
Unknown.
Characterising species
| Taxon | Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelvetia canaliculata | 33 | Common | 81-100% |
| Patella vulgata | 19 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Verrucaria maura | 17 | Common | 61-80% |
| Semibalanus balanoides | 9 | Occasional | 61-80% |
| Littorina saxatilis | 4 | Frequent | 61-80% |
| Chthamalus montagui | 3 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Fucus spiralis | 3 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Verrucaria mucosa | 2 | Frequent | 21-40% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
LR.LLR.F.Pel
Occurs in the lower littoral fringe on more sheltered shores, where upward facing rock allows a more dense P. canaliculata population to flourish. It has a lower species diversity and it lacks species such as the barnacles S. balanoides, C. montagui and the winkle Melarhaphe neritoides.
LR.LLR.F.Fspi
Occurs slightly lower on the shore and is dominated by F. spiralis (Common), whilst P. canaliculata is usually present in low abundance or absent.Classification history of this biotope or habitat type
| Classification version | Code |
|---|---|
| 1995 | LRK.PEL (part) |
