Biodiversity & Conservation

Halichondria bowerbanki, Eudendrium arbusculum and Eucratea loricata on reduced salinity tide-swept circalittoral mixed substrata

CR.MCR.CFaVS.HbowEud

<i>%Halichondria bowerbanki%</i>, <i>%Eudendrium arbusculum%</i> and <i>%Eucratea loricata%</i> on reduced salinity tide-swept circalittoral mixed substrata
Distribution map

CR.MCR.CFaVS.HbowEud recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

For a list of 2004 characterising species please see the JNCC website.

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
Important structural Balanus crenatus An acorn barnacle
Important characterizing Halichondria bowerbanki Bowerbanks halichondria
Important structural Ascidiella scabra A sea squirt
Important characterizing Alcyonidium diaphanum A gelatinous bryozoan
Important structural Asterias rubens Common starfish
Important characterizing Metridium senile Plumose anemone

Explanation

The species selected and researched as representative of sensitivity are ones that occur frequently in the biotope and for which published literature enables assessment of sensitivity. Although described as important structural or functional, the biotope would not be lost if one of those species disappeared. Some of the dominant or characteristic species (Mycale lobata, Eudendrium arbuscula and Eucratea loricata) have little research information on which to assess sensitivity but are still considered where possible in assessing sensitivity.

Additional information

111 species are recorded from 9 examples of this biotope (information from the Marine Nature Conservation Review database).

This review can be cited as follows:

Hiscock, K. 2002. Halichondria bowerbanki, Eudendrium arbusculum and Eucratea loricata on reduced salinity tide-swept circalittoral mixed substrata. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 19/06/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=45&code=2004>