Biodiversity & Conservation

Laminaria saccharina, Chorda filum and dense red seaweeds on shallow unstable infralittoral boulders or cobbles

IR.MIR.SedK.LsacChoR

MIR.LsacChoR

Image Keith Hiscock - Saccharina latissima, Chorda filum and dense red seaweeds on shallow unstable infralittoral boulders or cobbles. Image width ca 1m in foreground.
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Distribution map

IR.MIR.SedK.LsacChoR 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 Saccharina latissima Sugar kelp
Important characterizing Chorda filum Sea lace
Important characterizing Lithophyllum incrustans Encrusting coralline alga
Important other Delesseria sanguinea Sea beech

Explanation

The biotope is dominated by kelps and foliose algae with Desmarestia aculeata. Encrusting coralline algae also occur. Although not specifically mentioned in the biotope description, Delesseria sanguinea is used to represent sensitivity of the foliose red algae.

Additional information

The biotope may be conspicuously characterized by dense red algae (often bleached by sunlight) in spring and summer. These algae are ephemeral and especially include Cystoclonium purpureum and Brongniartella byssoides as well as the brown alga Desmarestia aculeata.

This review can be cited as follows:

Hiscock, K. 2001. Laminaria saccharina, Chorda filum and dense red seaweeds on shallow unstable infralittoral boulders or cobbles. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 26/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=363&code=1997>