Biodiversity & Conservation

Habitat preferences and distribution

Faunal and algal crusts, Echinus esculentus, sparse Alcyonium digitatum and grazing-tolerant fauna on moderately exposed circalittoral rock

CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Pom

Image David Connor - Faunal and algal crusts, Echinus esculentus, sparse Alcyonium digitatum, Abietinaria abietina and other grazing-tolerant fauna on moderately exposed circalittoral rock. Image width ca 1m.
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CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Pom recorded () and expected () distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Recorded from Shetland, Orkney, south east Scotland and north east England, Youghal Bay, Ireland and the west coast of Scotland.

Habitat preferences

Temperature range preferences - Data deficient

Water clarity preferences - Data deficient

Limiting Nutrients - Data deficient

Other preferences - None known

Additional information

This biotope has been recorded from wave exposed to moderately wave exposed coasts, although it probably occurs at greater depth with greater surface wave exposure. It is recorded from moderately strong to very weak tidal streams. Water movement, either wave or current induced, is essential for suspension feeders such as hydroids, bryozoans, sponges, amphipods and ascidians to supply adequate food, remove metabolic waste products, prevent accumulation of sediment and disperse larvae or medusae. Therefore, records in very weak tidal streams are probably in areas of moderate to strong wave exposure.

This review can be cited as follows:

Tyler-Walters, H. 2002. Faunal and algal crusts, Echinus esculentus, sparse Alcyonium digitatum and grazing-tolerant fauna on moderately exposed circalittoral rock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 19/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatpreferences.php?habitatid=337&code=2004>

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Faunal and algal crusts, Echinus esculentus, sparse Alcyonium digitatum and grazing-tolerant fauna on moderately exposed circalittoral rock

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