Faunal communities on low energy marine Atlantic infralittoral rock

This habitat is found in tide-sheltered conditions, supporting silty communities with Laminaria hyperborea and/or Saccharina latissima. It is distinguished by the presence of an abundance of turf-forming species, often animal-dominated, but can sometimes be characterised by algal turf  with species such as Codium elisabethae and Halopteris filicina and coralline crusts.

Indicators of quality:

Both biotic and abiotic indicators have been used to describe marine habitat quality. These include: the presence of characteristic species as well as those which are sensitive to the pressures the habitat may face; water quality parameters; levels of exposure to particular pressure, and more integrated indices which describe habitat structure and function, such as trophic index, or successional stages of development in habitats that have a natural cycle of change over time.

There are no commonly agreed indicators of quality for this habitat, although particular parameters may have been set in certain situations e.g. protected features within Natura 2000 sites, where reference values have been determined and applied on a location-specific basis.

Synthesis of Red List assessment

Confidence in the assessment

Pressures and threats