Citation: Sheppard, C.R.C., Bellamy, D.J. & Sheppard, A.L.S. 1980 Study of the fauna inhabiting the holdfasts of Laminaria hyperborea (Gunn) Fosl. along some environmental and geographical gradients. Marine Environmental Research 4: 25-51
Number of Pages: 27
Keywords: Alga, Channel Islands, Fauna, Flora, Isle of Man, Marine, North Sea, Pollution, Seaweed, Survey
Abstract: A survey of the holdfast fauna of Laminaria hyperborea, during the summer of 1975, was carried out at 35 sites around the U.K. particularly on the north-east coast. Gradients of heavy metals were defined, and, using measurements of kelp penetration, water clarity at the different sites was determined. Analysis of holdfast fauna showed numerous gradients of total numbers, species and diversity which correlate closely with heavy metal and water clarity gradients, or with undetermined parameters analogous to latitude and longitude. It is suggested that effects of clarity reduction can be measured by trophic analysis more successfully than by species presence or absence, and that changes of holdfast fauna along the North Sea coast are due largely to pollution.