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.

It should be emphasised that the LGS.BarSnd and LSG.BarSh biotopes are primarily identified by the type of the substratum rather than the biological community, which may be absent, or if present, occur in extremely low abundance. This is because the biotopes are found on open wave exposed coasts and the continual mobility of the substratum inhibits the development of a permanent community. The mobile species that may be found in the LGS.BarSnd biotope occur throughout the littoral zone and are not dependent specifically on this biotope. Therefore the substratum type has been used primarily to indicate the sensitivity of this biotope and no species indicative of sensitivity were chosen.

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