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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.

   Atlantic mid abyssal rock and other hard substrata


Physical habitat description

Salinity Full (30-35 ppt)
Wave exposure
Tidal streams
Substratum Rock and other hard substrata
Zone Atlantic mid abyssal
Depth Band 3100 - 4100 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.

Distribution of habitat M.AtMA.Ro Atlantic mid abyssal rock and other hard substrata

  • 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

Rock and other hard substrate has a more diverse epifaunal community as species attach to the hard surface that in turn attract more fauna. Deep-sea rock is generally encrusted in a range of species including sponges and cold water water corals. Rock includes bedrock mixed substrate of pebbles, cobbles and boulders, and isolated drop stones. It can occur in a mosaic with sediment habitats. Hard artificial surfaces are considered 'other hard substrate' as is carbonate and hard clay. Rock does not have an infaunal community.

Situation

No situation data available.

Temporal variation

No temporal variation data available.

Characterising species

Characterising species data not applicable.

Similar biotopes or habitat types

Not applicable or unknown.


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