Description of biotope or habitat type
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Saccharina latissima and Chorda filum on sheltered upper infralittoral muddy sediment
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Very sheltered, Extremely sheltered |
| Tidal streams | Moderately strong (1-3 kn), Weak (>1 kn) |
| Substratum | Muddy sand and pebbles |
| Zone | Infralittoral - upper, Sublittoral fringe |
| Depth Band | 0-5 m, 5-10 m |
| Other Features |
Biotope origin
| Derived using data from | Various |
| Faunal group | Epifauna |
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 kelp community found on sandy mud and gravelly sandy mud, in sheltered or extremely sheltered conditions, with very weak tidal currents. The community is characterised by a reasonable covering of Saccharina latissima and Chorda filum. Beneath the kelp canopy, Ulva lactuca is often frequent and some filamentous and foliose red algae may be present, along with filamentous brown ectocarpoid algae although in much lower abundance than in the SS.SMp.KSwSS.SlatR biotopes. At the sediment surface ubiquitous fauna such as Asterias rubens, crabs such as Pagurus bernhardus, Carcinus maenas, and the gastropod Steromphala cineraria may be visible and in some areas Sabella pavonina may be present. Given the nature of the sediment it is likely that a wide range of infaunal bivalves and polychaetes are present including Arenicola marina, Mediomastus fragilis and Phyllodoce mucosa. In more tide swept areas with coarser and generally less muddy sediments SS.SMp.KSwSS.SlatCho may be replaced by one of the SS.SMp.KSwSS.SlatR biotopes.
Situation
No situation data available.
Temporal variation
No temporal data available.
Characterising species
| Taxon | Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phyllodoce mucosa | 50 | 81-100% | |
| Mediomastus fragilis | 50 | 81-100% | |
| Saccharina latissima | 23 | Frequent | 81-100% |
| Chorda filum | 18 | Frequent | 81-100% |
| Carcinus maenas | 9 | Occasional | 61-80% |
| Arenicola marina | 5 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Pagurus bernhardus | 5 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Asterias rubens | 4 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Hydractinia echinata | 3 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Ulva | 3 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Ascidiella aspersa | 2 | Frequent | 21-40% |
| Buccinum undatum | 2 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Steromphala cineraria | 2 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Liocarcinus depurator | 2 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Polyides rotunda | 2 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Balanus crenatus | 1 | Occasional | 21-40% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
Not applicable or unknown.
Classification history of this biotope or habitat type
| Classification version | Code | Habitat name |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 (15.03) | SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacCho | Laminaria saccharina and Chorda filum on sheltered upper infralittoral muddy sediment |
| 2004 (04.05) | SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacCho | Laminaria saccharina and Chorda filum on sheltered upper infralittoral muddy sediment |
| 1997 (97.06) | Part of SS.IMX.KSwMx.LsacX | Laminaria saccharina, Chorda filum and filamentous red seaweeds on sheltered infralittoral sediment |