Description of biotope or habitat type
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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.

- 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.