Biodiversity & Conservation

Laminaria saccharina on reduced or low salinity infralittoral rock

IR.SIR.K.LsacRS

<i>%Laminaria saccharina%</i> on reduced or low salinity infralittoral rock
Distribution map

IR.SIR.K.LsacRS 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 Not available
Habitat Directive feature (Annex 1) Reefs
Large shallow inlets and bays
Estuaries
Lagoons

Biotope importance

Where massive growths of the sponge Halichondria panicea occur, they may provide a significant habitat for other species especially amphipods and Caprella linearis appears to be chemically attracted to the sponge. The fauna associated with sponges may be a significant food source for fish (Peattie & Hoare, 1981). There may be significant food resources for mobile species in the biotope, especially where characterized by dense algae that harbour crustaceans and worms.

Exploitation

None except that the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris may be exploited from within SIR.LsacRS.Psa.

Additional information icon Additional information

The biotope and its sub-biotopes occur in inlets and harbours and may therefore be susceptible to accidents resulting in pollution. It is also a shallow water biotope and may be adversely affected if there are periods of exceptional rainfall and freshwater runoff.

This review can be cited as follows:

Hiscock, K. 2002. Laminaria saccharina on reduced or low salinity infralittoral rock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 23/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatimportance.php?habitatid=345&code=1997>