Biodiversity & Conservation

Barnacles and fucoids (moderately exposed shores)

LR.MLR.BF

Barnacles and fucoids (moderately exposed shores)
Distribution map

LR.MLR.BF recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Marine natural heritage importance

Listed under EC Habitats Directive
National importance Widespread
Habitat Directive feature (Annex 1) Reefs
Large shallow inlets and bays
Estuaries

Biotope importance

Fish and crustaceans, migrating into the intertidal zone to feed as the tide rises, are important predators of rocky shore species. Corkwing wrasse Crenilabrus melops rely heavily on the intertidal. Juvenile wrasse are commonly found in rockpools. Shore birds also feed on the rocky shores because the invertebrates attracted to seaweed on the strandline are a particularly important food source. Rich pickings are also available under macroalgae canopies. Algal patches may also act as nursery grounds for various species including Nucella lapillus.

Exploitation

  • Barnacle and fucoid shores are widely exploited for a range of recreational uses including rock pooling, angling and as a resource for students and scientific researchers. Trampling has been shown to have a significant impact on community structure.
  • Fucoid plants are collected, dried and used as a soil additive. Various fucoid algae are used in the production of alginates for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Additional information icon Additional information

No text entered

This review can be cited as follows:

Hill, J.M. 2000. Barnacles and fucoids (moderately exposed shores). Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 18/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatimportance.php?habitatid=33&code=2004>