Description of biotope or habitat type
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Atlantic lower bathyal cold water coral reef (biogenic structure)
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Biogenic substrate |
| Zone | Atlantic lower bathyal |
| Depth Band | 1300 - 2100 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
Reefs formed by Scleractinian corals. In the Atlantic lower bathyal, the reef forming species is Solenosmilia variabilis. Cold water coral reefs are associated with a variety of other coral species, sponges, and a high diversity of other fauna. Coral reef attaches to hard substrate, but can be found on sediments where corals initially attach to pebbles and cobbles on the sediment and then the reef grows outwards.
Situation
No situation data available.
Temporal variation
No temporal variation data available.
Characterising species
Characterising species data not applicable.
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