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Biodiversity & Conservation
| Basic Information | Biotope classification | Ecology | Habitat preferences and distribution | Species composition | Sensitivity | Importance |
Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity tide-swept infralittoral rock
IR.SIR.EstFa.MytT
IR.SIR.EstFa.MytT recorded (
) and expected (
) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)
Marine natural heritage importance
| Listed under |
EC Habitats Directive |
|---|---|
| National importance | Scarce |
| Habitat Directive feature (Annex 1) | Reefs Estuaries |
Biotope importance
The biotope may provide an important food source for starfish Asterias rubens and for flounder Platichthys flesus.
Exploitation
Mussels have been harvested for food and bait since early times. British mussel production is relatively small, comprising only 5% of total European Community production (Edwards, 1997). Edwards (1997) reported 10,347 tonnes of mussels landed in 1994 with a value of £32 million. However, collection in the strong tidal flow conditions that occur in this biotope is not believed to take place.
Additional information
The biotope relies on flowing water being present and so that factor should not be obstructed.
This review can be cited as follows:
Hiscock, K. 2001. Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity tide-swept infralittoral rock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatimportance.php?habitatid=259&code=1997>
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