Skip to Content

Marine Habitat Classification


Search


1 result for 'SS.SMp.KSwSS.SlatGraVS'

   SS.SMp.KSwSS.SlatGraVS  Saccharina latissima and Gracilaria gracilis with sponges and ascidians on variable salinity infralittoral sediment

Shallow kelp community found on stony sediment, in extremely sheltered, variable salinity conditions, with moderately strong tidal currents. The community is characterised by a sparser covering of Saccharina latissima, particularly when compared to the fully marine version of this sub biotope (SS.SMp.KSwSS.SlatGraFS). Beneath the canopy the community is characterised by the red algae Gracilaria gracilis, and a variety of faunal species in particular sponges Suberites ficus and Halichondria panacea and ascidians Ascidiella aspersa and Dendrodoa grossularia. The stony substrate provides a surface for attachment for these and many other filter and suspension feeding species, particularly barnacles Balanus crenatus, hydroids Urticina feline and Hydractinia echinata and anemones. Other members of the understory may include a variety of filamentous and foliose red algae in particular Pterothamnion plumula, and the green alga Ulva.
Back to top