Biodiversity & Conservation

George & Warwick (1985) found that the structural complexity provided by Sabellaria spinulosa facilitated the development of a community with a large number of small species. The structure of the reef means that both fauna associated with hard substratum and sedimentary environments may be found. (George & Warwick, 1985) did not identify colonial epifaunal species in their study). In the Wash, sites associated with Sabellaria spinulosa were found to have almost three times as many species as sites with no or little Sabellaria spinulosa (National Rivers Authority, 1984, cited in Jones et al., 2000).

Sabellaria spinulosa reefs have a UK BAP designation. When found in reef or crust form Sabellaria spinulosa provides structure for other organisms in the form of crevices and shelter. Some species also bore into the sandy crust. George & Warwick (1985) found that the structural complexity provided by Sabellaria spinulosa facilitated the development of a community with a large number of small species.