Laminaria saccharina and robust red algae on infralittoral gravel and pebble

Description (English)

Shallow kelp community found on gravel and gravelly sand in slightly less exposed areas than A5.5211 but in moderately strong tidal currents, and characterised by occasional Laminaria saccharina with an undergrowth of robust red seaweeds. Characteristic red seaweeds, as with A5.5211, include Plocamium cartilagineum, Halarachnion ligulatum and Brongniartella byssoides; however the greater stability of this biotope allows a slightly more diverse range of red seaweeds to become established including Polyides rotundus, Rhodophyllis divaricata, Delesseria sanguinea and Nitophyllum punctatum. Coralline encrusting algae may be found covering the larger pebbles. Laminaria hyperborea may also be present within this biotope, although at low densities. Other brown algal species present include Desmarestia spp., Dictyota dichotoma and Chorda filum, all at low abundance. The ubiquitous green seaweed Ulva sp. may be found attached to larger pebbles.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification