Description of biotope or habitat type
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Saccharina latissima with Phyllophora spp. and filamentous green seaweeds on variable or reduced salinity infralittoral rock
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Reduced (18-30ppt), Low (<18ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Sheltered, Very sheltered |
| Tidal streams | Weak (>1 kn), Very weak (negligible) |
| Substratum | Bedrock; boulders and cobbles |
| Zone | Infralittoral |
| Depth Band | 0-5 m, 5-10 m |
| 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
Shallow infralittoral bedrock or boulder slopes, in reduced or low salinity conditions, characterised by the kelp Saccharina latissima with dense stands of silted filamentous green seaweeds and red seaweeds Phyllophora crispa, Phyllophora pseudoceranoïdes and Phycodrys rubens. The filamentous green seaweeds e.g. Chaetomorpha melagonium and Cladophora spp. can form a blanket cover amongst the L. saccharina in the upper zone, which is under greater influence of freshwater input. In deeper water the green seaweeds are replaced by red seaweed Phyllophora spp. or Vertebrata fucoides which may form a distinct sub-zone in the biotope. Coralline crust can be present. The solitary ascidians Corella parallelogramma and Ascidiella scabra are often epiphytic on the seaweed (particularly Phyllophora spp.) and dominate the animal community along with the starfish Asterias rubens. The small ascidian Dendrodoa grossularia, the barnacle Balanus crenatus and the tube-building polychaete Spirobranchus triqueter occur on the rock surface. More mobile species include the crab Carcinus maenas, the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus and the whelk Buccinum undatum. Bryozoans Electra pilosa and Spirorbis sp. may cover kelp fronds. The red seaweed Odonthalia dentata may be present in the north.
Situation
The ascidians found in LsacPhyVS may continue onto the circalittoral rock below where dense colonies of anthozoans and brachiopods can also be found (NeoPro.Den). Where tidal streams are increased, sponge and hydroid communities may occur below (HbowEud).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asterias rubens | 12 | Frequent | 81-100% |
| Saccharina latissima | 12 | Frequent | 81-100% |
| Phyllophora pseudoceranoides | 9 | Frequent | 61-80% |
| Carcinus maenas | 8 | Occasional | 81-100% |
| Corella parallelogramma | 8 | Frequent | 61-80% |
| Phycodrys rubens | 6 | Occasional | 61-80% |
| Phyllophora crispa | 6 | Frequent | 61-80% |
| Ascidiella scabra | 5 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Electra pilosa | 3 | Common | 41-60% |
| Balanus crenatus | 3 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Eucratea loricata | 3 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Pagurus bernhardus | 3 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Corallinaceae | 2 | Common | 21-40% |
| Odonthalia dentata | 2 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Spirobranchus triqueter | 2 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Buccinum undatum | 1 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Dendrodoa grossularia | 1 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Filamentous green algae | 1 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Vertebrata fucoides | 1 | Occasional | 21-40% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
Not applicable or unknown.
Classification history of this biotope or habitat type
| Classification version | Code |
|---|---|
| 2015 (15.03) | IR.LIR.KVS.LsacPhyVS |
| 1997 (97.06) | SIR.LsacRS.Phy |