Biodiversity & Conservation

Alaria esculenta on exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock

IR.EIR.KFaR.Ala

EIR.Ala

Image Roger Mitchell - Exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock with Alaria esculenta, Isles of Scilly. Image width ca 1 m.
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Distribution map

IR.EIR.KFaR.Ala recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Species indicative of sensitivity

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.

Community Importance Species name Common Name
Key structural Alaria esculenta Dabberlocks
Important characterizing Corallina officinalis Coral weed

Explanation

Alaria esculenta is the key canopy forming species, which probably contributes primary productivity to the community and surrounding habitats. Very wave exposed habitats are characterized by pink encrusting and erect corallines, therefore Corallina officinalis was chosen as an important characterizing species.

Additional information

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This review can be cited as follows:

Tyler-Walters, H. 2000. Alaria esculenta on exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 25/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=165&code=1997>