Marine Biodiversity Data Portal - NI

Marie Isla, Rathlin Island.

[Site list for year 1986]

Survey number: 555 Event number: 19860920/21 Date: 1986-09-20 GPS: 55.30700,-6.21000. Depth: 3.5 to 0.2 m. [ View map ]

Site Description: The transect is situated on exposed highly eroded limestone platforms which have a pitted surface and are highly irregular. Habitats present include exposed vertical faces and large gullies and more sheltered areas behind high platforms. The more sheltered areas have deep water filled gullies forming comparatively rich pools. The upper shore tends to be in the splash zone and is flatter with large wide and deep pools with some freshwater influence. The zonation patterns are highly complex depending largely on habitat and exposure (including orientation) to wave action. Presence of certain species were dependent on substrate type i.e. barnacles were common on the basalt boulders, but confined to crevices on the limestone; certain species of encrusting algae were found only on limestone; Hydropunctaria maura (originally recorded as Verrucaria maura) was abundant on basalt, but little found on limestone, and then tended to cover only flint intrusions. The transect was taken down the steep side of a platform and along the splash area at the top. This was slightly more sheltered than typical exposed sites which were inaccessible due to swell. The exposed areas has well defined Patella, Corallina/Himanthalia and Alaria zones.

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