BIOTIC Species Information for Saccharina latissima
Researched byNicola White and Charlotte Marshall Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byDr Joanna Jones
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandAll coasts of Britain & Ireland.
Global distributionRecorded from the Atlantic coasts of Europe as far north as Novaya Zemlya and south to northern Portugal and around Iceland. Also found in Greenland, Eastern coast of America down to New Jersey, Pacific coast of America, Bering Straits and Japan.
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth rangeSublittoral fringe to 30 m
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional InformationLaminaria saccharina is often found on unstable substrata such as rocks and boulders. The species is adapted to growing on these by having a flexible stipe which reduces leverage on any boulder to which it is attached, reducing the chance of its being turned over by wave movement. The species can even grow unattached and extensive populations can develop on loose-lying sand in calm conditions. In wave-exposed conditions the species may extend into the lower eulittoral.

Substratum preferencesBedrock
Large to very large boulders
Small boulders
Cobbles
Pebbles
Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Strait / sound
Sealoch
Ria / Voe
Estuary
Biological zoneSublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Wave exposureSheltered
Very Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowStrong (3-6 kn)
Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)
Weak (<1 kn)
Very Weak (negligible)
SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Low (<18 psu)
Reduced (18-30 psu)
Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References
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