Biodiversity & Conservation

Laminaria digitata, ascidians and bryozoans on tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock

IR.MIR.KR.Ldig.T

<i>%Laminaria digitata%</i>, ascidians and bryozoans on tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock
Distribution map

IR.MIR.KR.Ldig.T recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • UK_BAP

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

MIR.Ldig.T has been recorded on the west coasts of Britain in the Isles of Scilly, Milford Haven, Holy Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, the Menai Strait, west Scotland and the Inner and Outer Hebrides. It has not been recorded from the east coast of Britain. In Ireland, it has been recorded in one site on the east coast (Wicklow Head), and from several sites on the west coast. Irish survey data has not been analyzed to identify biotopes although it seems likely that the biotope will occur in tidal sounds and rapids such as occur in Strangfrod Lough.

Habitat preferences

Temperature range preferences - Data deficient.

Water clarity preferences - Data deficient

Limiting Nutrients - Data deficient

Other preferences - Extremely sheltered from wave exposure.

Additional information

This biotope is associated with areas of moderate to strong water flow rates. It is typically found in narrow channels, shallow lagoons/rapids or the entrances to fjordic sea lochs and to obs. In the Menai Strait and Loch Roag the biotope experiences tidal flow rates of up to 8 knots (Brazier et al., 1999).

This review can be cited as follows:

Marshall, C.E. 2005. Laminaria digitata, ascidians and bryozoans on tide-swept sublittoral fringe rock. 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/habitatpreferences.php?habitatid=273&code=1997>