Skip to Content

Marine Habitat Classification


Description of biotope or habitat type

To understand more about what this page is describing, see How to use the classification. See also How to cite.

   Fucus spiralis on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral rock


Physical habitat description

Salinity Full (30-35 ppt)
Wave exposure Moderately exposed
Tidal streams
Substratum Bedrock; stable boulders; cobbles
Zone Eulittoral - upper
Depth Band
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 LR.LLR.F.Fspi.FS <I>Fucus spiralis</I> on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral 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'

Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot.

Description

Sheltered upper eulittoral bedrock characterised by a band of the spiral wrack Fucus spiralis overlying the black lichen Verrucaria maura and the olive green lichen Verrucaria mucosa. Underneath the fronds of F. spiralis is a community consisting of the limpet Patella vulgata, the winkles Littorina saxatilis and Littorina littorea and sparse individuals of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides while the mussel Mytilus edulis can be found attached in cracks and crevices. A variety of red algae including Hildenbrandia rubra may be present underneath the fronds. During the summer months ephemeral green seaweeds such as Ulva intestinalis can be common.

Situation

This zone usually lies below a zone dominated by the wrack Pelvetia canaliculata (PelB; Pel), but occasional clumps of P. canaliculata may be present (usually less than common) amongst the F. spiralis. In areas of extreme shelter, such as in Scottish sea lochs, the P. canaliculata and F. spiralis zones often merge together forming a very narrow band. Fspi occurs above the wracks Ascophyllum nodosum (Asc) and/or Fucus vesiculosus (Fves) zones and these two fucoids may also occur, although F. spiralis always dominates. Vertical surfaces in this zone, especially on moderately exposed shores, often lack the fucoids and are characterised by a barnacle-limpet dominated community (Sem).

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
Fucus spiralis 43 Common 81-100%
Littorina saxatilis 11 Occasional 61-80%
Patella vulgata 10 Frequent 61-80%
Semibalanus balanoides 6 Occasional 41-60%
Ulva intestinalis 5 Occasional 41-60%
Hildenbrandia rubra 5 Occasional 21-40%
Verrucaria maura 4 Frequent 41-60%
Verrucaria mucosa 3 Frequent 21-40%
Littorina littorea 3 Occasional 41-60%
Mytilus edulis 2 Rare 21-40%

Similar biotopes or habitat types

LR.LLR.F.Fspi.X
Occurs in fully marine conditions, but on mixed substrata. It has a similar species composition, although amphipods, the crab Carcinus maenas and the whelk Nucella lapillus may occur underneath and/or among the boulders and cobbles. In sheltered areas (behind boulders) A. nodosum can be found.

LR.LLR.FVS.FspiVS
Occurs in sheltered areas with variable salinity. The species diversity is lower and species such as P. vulgata and M. edulis usually absent as well as the lichen Verrucaria maura. The barnacle Austrominius modestus can be present.

Classification history of this biotope or habitat type

Classification version Code
1997 (97.06) SLR.Fspi (part)
1995 LRK.FSP

Photos

LR.LLR.F.Fspi.FS Fucus spiralis on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral rock, S of Skelbrae, Otters Wick, North Sanday. Sue Scott© JNCC
LR.LLR.F.Fspi.FS Fucus spiralis on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral rock, S of Skelbrae, Otters Wick, North Sanday. Sue Scott© JNCC
LR.LLR.F.Fspi.FS Fucus spiralis on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral rock, Long Taing of Newark, South Sanday. Sue Scott© JNCC
LR.LLR.F.Fspi.FS Fucus spiralis on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral rock, Long Taing of Newark, South Sanday. Sue Scott© JNCC
LR.LLR.F.Fspi.FS Fucus spiralis on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral rock, NW of Carness, Loch Leven. Teresa Bennett© JNCC
LR.LLR.F.Fspi.FS Fucus spiralis on full salinity sheltered upper eulittoral rock, NW of Carness, Loch Leven. Teresa Bennett© JNCC

Back to top