Description of biotope or habitat type
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Shingle (pebble) and gravel shores
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Exposed, Moderately exposed |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Shingle; gravel; coarse sand |
| Zone | |
| Depth Band | Lower shore, Mid shore, Upper 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'
Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot.
Description
Littoral shingle and gravel shores include shores of mobile pebbles and gravel, sometimes with varying amounts of coarse sand. The sediment is highly mobile and subject to high degrees of drying between tides. As a result, few species are able to survive in this environment. Beaches of mobile shingle tend to be devoid of macroinfauna, while gravelly shores may support limited numbers of crustaceans such as Echinogammarus incertae sedis planicrurus.
Situation
Littoral gravels and shingles are found along relatively exposed open shores, where wave action prevents finer sediments from settling. Gravel and shingle may also be present on the upper parts of shores where there are more stable, sandy biotopes on the lower and mid shore.
Temporal variation
The sediment particle size structure may vary seasonally, with relatively finer sediments able to settle during calmer conditions in summer.
Characterising species
Characterising species data not applicable.
Similar biotopes or habitat types
Not applicable or unknown.