Biodiversity & Conservation

Rhodothamniella floridula in upper littoral fringe soft rock caves

LR.FLR.CvOv.AudCla

LR.RhoCv

Image Kathryn Birch - Rhodothamniella floridula in upper littoral fringe soft rock caves.
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Distribution map

LR.FLR.CvOv.AudCla recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats
  • UK_BAP
  • OSPAR

Marine natural heritage importance

Listed under EC Habitats Directive
UK Biodiversity Action Plan
National importance Rare
Habitat Directive feature (Annex 1) Reefs
Submerged or partly submerged sea caves
Large shallow inlets and bays
Estuaries

Biotope importance

No information found.

Exploitation

The biotope is not exploited but is threatened by coastal defence works.

Additional information icon Additional information

The actions of the littoral and sublittoral chalk habitat action plan are linked closely to those of the maritime cliff and slopes habitat action plan. In both plans attention is drawn to the need for avoiding non-sustainable coastal defence works and of raising awareness of the biodiversity and dynamic nature of these habitats and their role in coastal processes (Anon, 1999e). Subtidal chalk habitats have been identified within Sensitive Marine Areas and Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCA). The statutory protection of littoral and sublittoral chalk habitats is now possible at four sites, Flamborough Head, Thanet Coast, South Wight and Rathlin Island, through their candidature as SACs (Anon, 1999e).

This review can be cited as follows:

Riley, K. 2007. Rhodothamniella floridula in upper littoral fringe soft rock caves. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 19/06/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatimportance.php?habitatid=39&code=2004>