Biodiversity & Conservation

To assess the sensitivity of the biotope, the sensitivity of component species is reviewed. Those species that are considered to be particularly indicative of the sensitivity of the biotope, and for which research has been undertaken in detail are shown below (see selection criteria). The biology of other component species of the biotope is also taken into account wherever information is known to the researcher.

• Leptopsammia pruvoti

• Leptopsammia pruvoti
• Caryophyllia inornatus
• Parazoanthus axinellae
• Parazoanthus anguicomus
• Thymosia guernii
• Alcyonium hibernicum

The biotope is particularly characterized by sponges and anthozoans including several cup coral species. In the absence of full MarLIN research for all but Leptopsammia pruvoti, research has been undertaken on relevant aspects of the biology of particular species and a knowledge of the results of monitoring the biotope in south-west England (Fowler & Pilley, 1992 and researchers own observations). Two of the species of coral have different life cycles with Caryophyllia smithii producing a planktotrophic larva and likely to colonise readily whilst Leptopsammia pruvotihas a lecithotrophic probably short-lived larva and most likely also represents Hoplangia durotrix in its larval biology. The reproductive biology of Alcyonium hibernicum has been researched (Hartnoll, 1977 as Alcyonium coralloides) whilst Alcyonium glomeratum is known to colonize wrecks readily (researchers own observations) suggesting good recolonization potential.

Whilst the structural and functional aspects of the biotope are similar across its range, species composition varies. The species composition of the biotope includes a small number of nationally rare or scarce species.