Biodiversity & Conservation

Ampharete falcata turf with Parvicardium ovale on cohesive muddy very fine sand near margins of deep stratified seas

SS.SMu.OMu.AfalPova

COS.AmpPar

Image Matthew Service - Ampharete falcata turf with Nephrops sp. from the southern edge of the north west Irish Sea. Image with ca 2 m.
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Distribution map

SS.SMu.OMu.AfalPova recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Marine natural heritage importance

Listed under
National importance Scarce
Habitat Directive feature (Annex 1)

Biotope importance

Ampharete falcata may be an important food source for other organisms. For example, a related species Ampharete acutifrons is the principal food of flounders in spring and summer.

Exploitation

The biotope is not likely to be exploited because although the commercially important Nephrops norvegicus may be present trawlers tend to avoid this type of community because the high densities of Ampharete tubes clog the nets.

Additional information icon Additional information

This review can be cited as follows:

Hill, J.M. 2001. Ampharete falcata turf with Parvicardium ovale on cohesive muddy very fine sand near margins of deep stratified seas. 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=75&code=2004>