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.

• Ahnfeltia plicata

Ahnfeltia plicata, Chondrus crispus, Furcellaria lumbricalis and Polyides rotundus are the algal species which define the biotope. Loss of one of the species would result in loss of the biotope but would not result in changes in the function of the community as there are other species in the biotope which fulfil a similar role. The epifaunal and epiphytic communities would be lost along with the species but are also capable of attaching to other algal species or to bedrock where it is available, so would rapidly recolonize. Ahnfeltia plicata, Chondrus crispus, Furcellaria lumbricalis and Polyides rotundus are therefore assessed as "important characterizing" but not "key". It is likely that the sensitivity assessments for Furcellaria lumbricalis would also apply reasonably accurately to the very similar Polyides rotundus. For this reason, it has not been considered necessary to assess each of the 2 algal species separately and only Furcellaria lumbricalis has been used in the biotope sensitivity assessments.
Urticina felina is a species useful to consider when assessing the sensitivity of the fauna in the biotope and is therefore categorised as "important other".