Description of biotope or habitat type
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Strandline
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt), Variable (18-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Exposed, Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Very sheltered |
| Tidal streams | Very strong (>6 kn), Strong (3-6 kn), Moderately strong (1-3 kn) |
| Substratum | Shingle; sand |
| Zone | |
| Depth Band | Mid shore, Strandline, 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
The strandline is the shifting line of decomposing seaweed and debris which is typically left behind on sediment (and some rocky shores) at the upper extreme of the intertidal at each high tide. These ephemeral bands of seaweed often shelter communities of sandhoppers.A fauna of dense juvenile mussels may be found in sheltered firths, attached to algae on shores of pebbles, gravel, sand, mud and shell debris with a strandline of fucoid algae.
Situation
Strandlines may occur in bands along the upper extreme of any sediment shore and some rocky shores.
Temporal variation
Strandlines tend to be mobile, as they consist of driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris, which will decompose, and be shifted by the tide. The amount of debris washed up on strandlines, and hence the extent of the strandline, may vary significantly depending on factors such as recent storms or high tides.
Characterising species
| Taxon | Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talitrus saltator | 87 | Common | 81-100% |
| Talitrus saltator | 27 | 61-80% | |
| Talitridae | 26 | 21-40% | |
| Deshayesorchestia deshayesii | 26 | 41-60% | |
| Oligochaeta | 11 | Common | 41-60% |
| Enchytraeidae | 2 | 1-20% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
Not applicable or unknown.