Biodiversity & Conservation

Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii beds on extremely sheltered mid eulittoral mixed substrata

LR.LLR.FVS.Ascmac

SLR.AscX.mac

Image Sue Scott - A dense mat of Ascophyllum nodosum mackaii. Image width ca 40 cm.
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Distribution map

LR.LLR.FVS.Ascmac recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats
  • UK_BAP

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

The distribution of Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii is limited to Scottish sealochs, Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland and a few sites in the Irish Republic.

Habitat preferences

Temperature range preferences -

Water clarity preferences - High clarity / Low turbidity
Medium clarity / Medium turbidity

Limiting Nutrients - Nitrogen (nitrates)
Phosphorus (phosphates)

Other preferences -

Additional information

Detached forms of Ascophyllum nodosum are known from several habitats. Ascophyllum nodosum var. mackaii is found on very sheltered shores, in sea lochs and is sometimes common on the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland and in these situations the ecad is sometimes present in great abundance. Sheltered or land-locked bays or situations in the lee of small islands are other favourable positions (Gibb, 1957).

This review can be cited as follows:

Hill, J.M. 2001. Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii beds on extremely sheltered mid eulittoral mixed substrata. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatpreferences.php?habitatid=138&code=2004>