Biodiversity & Conservation

Sabellaria spinulosa with kelp and red seaweeds on sand-influenced infralittoral rock

IR.MIR.SedK.SabKR

<i>%Sabellaria spinulosa%</i> with kelp and red seaweeds on sand-influenced infralittoral rock
Distribution map

IR.MIR.SedK.SabKR recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Known distribution given as northeast England/southeast Scotland and Luce Bay, North Irish Sea (JNCC, 1999). Also observed in the Solway Firth (K. Hiscock, pers. comm.).

Habitat preferences

Temperature range preferences - See additional information

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

Limiting Nutrients - Nitrogen (nitrates)
Phosphorus (phosphates)

Other preferences - High levels of suspended sediment

Additional information

  • No specific information is available regarding temperature preferences of tolerances for this biotope. The distribution of the key structural species Sabellaria spinulosa and Laminaria hyperborea extend to the north and south of the British Isles and so will be exposed to higher and lower temperatures than experienced locally.
  • High levels of suspended sediment are likely to be required in order for Sabellaria spinulosa to construct its tubes.

This review can be cited as follows:

Hill, J.M. 2001. Sabellaria spinulosa with kelp and red seaweeds on sand-influenced infralittoral rock. 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=144&code=1997>