Biodiversity & Conservation

Laminaria saccharina and/or Saccorhiza polyschides on exposed infralittoral rock

IR.EIR.KFaR.LsacSac

EIR.LsacSac

Image Paul Brazier - Saccharina latissima and/or Saccorhiza polyschides on exposed infralittoral rock. Image width ca XX m.
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Distribution map

IR.EIR.KFaR.LsacSac 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.

Species found especially in this biotope

  • None.
Community Importance Species name Common Name
Key structural Saccharina latissima Sugar kelp
Key structural Saccorhiza polyschides Furbellows
Important functional Echinus esculentus Edible sea urchin
Important functional Lithophyllum incrustans Encrusting coralline alga

Explanation

The colonizing species that name the biotope, Saccharina latissima and Saccorhiza polyschides, are representative of the species that occur there. Without those two species, the biotope would not be EIR.LsacSac. Ecological relationships are mainly in the form of herbivores that eat the algae and Echinus esculentus represents the herbivores. Encrusting coralline algae dominate the rock surface and are represented in the sensitivity assessment by Lithophyllum incrustans.

Additional information

None.

This review can be cited as follows:

Hiscock, K. 2002. Laminaria saccharina and/or Saccorhiza polyschides on exposed infralittoral 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/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=237&code=1997>