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LR.LLR.F.Pel
Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock

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Habitat (physical) description

Distribution
 Salinity: Full (30-35 ppt), Variable (18-35 ppt) 
 Wave exposure: Sheltered, Very sheltered, Extremely sheltered 
 Tidal streams:  
 Substratum: Bedrock; stable boulders; cobbles 
 Zone: Littoral fringe - lower 
 Depth Band: Upper shore 
 Other Features:  

Download comparative physical and biological data. The comparative tables enable a rapid comparison of the species composition and principal physical characteristics between a given set of biotopes.

Previous code

This biotope occurred in previous versions of the classification as:
SLR.Pel in part - Version: 97.06
LRK.PEL in part - Version: 6.95
Distribution of habitat LR.LLR.F.Pel Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock
Distribution of habitat LR.LLR.F.Pel Pelvetia canaliculata on sheltered littoral fringe rock, based on records on the JNCC marine database. Red dots represent records on which the biotope is based. Blue dots show orther certain records, black dots show records tentatively assigned to this biotope.

Biotope description

Lower littoral fringe bedrock or stable boulders and mixed substrata in sheltered to extremely sheltered conditions characterised by a dense cover of the wrack Pelvetia canaliculata. The biotope may be present in localised sheltered patches on moderately exposed shores. P. canaliculata overgrows a crust of black lichens Verrucaria maura or the non-calcified red algae Hildenbrandia rubra on very sheltered shores. Individuals of the wrack Fucus spiralis can usually be found among the P. canaliculata and/or in lower part of the biotope. This biotope lacks the density of barnacles found amongst the P. canaliculata on more exposed shores. The winkle Littorina saxatilis occurs, as do a variety of amphipods. The red alga Catenella caespitosa can be present especially in more shaded areas while the green seaweed Enteromorpha spp. can be present in moist areas.

Situation

This biotope is found in the lower littoral fringe on sheltered shores below biotopes dominated by V. maura (Ver.Ver) and above biotopes dominated by F. spiralis (Fspi). Though not typical, this biotope may occur on moderately exposed shores where local topography provides shelter.

Temporal variation

Unknown.

Similar biotopes

LR.MLR.BF.PelBOccurs on shores with a slightly higher exposure, but otherwise in similar physical conditions. Barnacles such as Chthamalus montagui, Chthamalus stellatus or Semibalanus balanoides are always present and the limpet Patella vulgata can be present.

Characterising Species

Taxa Frequency Typical Abundance % Contribution to similarity
Littorina saxatilis F 19
Hildenbrandia rubra O 2
Fucus spiralis O 3
Pelvetia canaliculata C 51
Verrucaria maura C 14

Example photographs of biotope


Pelvetia caniculata, Droman, ANON, © JNCC Upper shore dissected bedrock with Pelvetia and green algae, Northumberland, Keith Hiscock, © JNCC Dense Pelvetia caniculata, St Michaels Chapel, ANON, © JNCC
Click on an image for a larger view

This report should be cited as:
DAVID W. CONNOR, JAMES H. ALLEN, NEIL GOLDING, KERRY L. HOWELL, LOUISE M. LIEBERKNECHT, KATE O. NORTHEN AND JOHNNY B. REKER (2004)
The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version 04.05 JNCC, Peterborough
ISBN 1 861 07561 8 (internet version)
jncc.defra.gov.uk/MarineHabitatClassification