Biodiversity & Conservation

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Exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral bedrock may be characterized by buttons and straps of the thong weed Himanthalia elongata (at least frequent) with a dense turf of red algae beneath. The predominant red algae are usually Mastocarpus stellatus, Osmundea pinnatifida, Corallina officinalis and Palmaria palmata which tend to grow over a crust of pink coralline algae. Any patches between the algal turf may be colonised by barnacles Semibalanus balanoides, or Balanus perforatus in the south-west, and limpets Patella vulgata. Pits and crevices in the rock often provide a refuge for anemones, gastropods (Nucella lapillus and Littorina neglecta) and small mussels Mytilus edulis. This biotope generally characterises those shores which are too exposed for Fucus serratus to form a dense canopy, often occurring as large patches within the Fucus serratus / red algal turf zone (MLR.Fser.R). Consequently, Fucus serratus plants frequently occur amongst the Himanthalia elongata and red algae (Fucus serratus common or less). On some shores this biotope may occur as a distinct zone between the Fucus serratus/ red algal turf (MLR.Fser.R) and the Alaria esculenta / Laminaria digitata zone (EIR.Ala.Ldig). In the south and south-west Bifurcaria bifurcata may replace Himanthalia elongata, and can sometimes form a distinct band on the lower shore. Himanthalia elongata may occur on tide-swept, sheltered shores in sea lochs (e.g. Loch Maddy). (Information taken from the Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland, Version 97.06: Connor et al., 1997a, b).

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