Marine Biodiversity Data Portal - NI

Port Moon, North Coast.

[Site list for year 1984]

Survey number: 555 Event number: 19840628/21 Date: 1984-06-28 GPS: 55.24600,-6.45900. Depth: 3.5 to 0.2 m. [ View map ]

Site Description: The steep rock site is situated at the back of a narrow channel between limestone cliffs on the mainland and cliffs of a large outcrop. They are connected at the middle by boulders which tend to get covered at extreme spring tides. The other end of the channel is relatively sheltered and is used as a natural harbour to land salmon. Wave cut platforms occur at the base of the cliffs, and appear to have a greater species diversity and abundances than the transect site, which is situated on the steep rock and more exposed. The site has small crevices as its only sub habitat, whereas the wave cut platforms and boulders form more. Only three zones were surveyed, as the fourth and lowest was defined as below the Xanthoria belt which extended up most of the cliff. The lower zones tended to be extended on the platforms with more red algae becoming apparent i.e. Gigartina, Porphyra. The limited algal abundance and diversity may be due to limited illumination due to the enclosed nature of the site, between cliffs. The location is important for sea birds nesting on the cliffs.

No images for site.