Occasional Publications of the Marine Biological Association No. 16

Recovery of a Biodiversity Action Plan Species in Northwest England: Possible role of climate change, artificial habitat and water quality amelioration

[Added April 2005]

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Full reference:
Frost, M.T., Leaper, R, Mieszowska, N, Moschella, P, Murua, J, Smyth, C and Hawkins, S.J. (2004) Recovery of a Biodiversity Action Plan Species in Northwest England: possible role of climate change, artificial habitat and water quality amelioration Occasional Publications. Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (16) 57p.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
General Introduction

The honeycomb reef worm Sabellaria alveolata is recognised as being an important component of intertidal communities. It is a priority habitat within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and as a biogenic reef forming species is covered by Annex 1 of the EC habitats directive. S. alveolata has a lusitanean (southern) distribution, being largely restricted to the south and west coasts of England. A broad-scale survey of S. alveolata distribution along the north-west coasts was undertaken in 2003/2004. These records were then compared with previous distribution records, mainly those collected by Cunningham in 1984. More detailed mapping was carried out at Hilbre Island at the mouth of the River Dee, due to recent reports that S. alveolata had become re-established there after a long absence.

Note: Appendix 3 of the report is a CD-ROM of photographs, please contact Matthew Frost at the MBA if you wish to view these. See below for indexes to the photos.

Index to photographs taken as part of broad scale survey

Index to photographs taken on Hilbre Island as part of detailed survey