Studies in Sublittoral Ecology: II. Recolonization at the Upper Margin of the Sublittoral Region; with a Note on the Denudation of Laminaria Forest by Storms

Abstract

THE sublittoral region of a part of Wembury Bay, South Devon, has recently been studied in detail (Kitching et al. 1934) down to a depth of 12 ft. below low water of ordinary spring tides (L.W.O.S.T.). During this investigation it was found that upward-facing sublittoral rock surfaces were populated by a of large brown seaweeds such as Cloustoni, Saccorhiza bulbosa, Latminaria digitata, and Himanthalia lorea-the last of these being confined to the uppermost part of the sublittoral region; while underneath this there was an undergrowth which consisted largely of Corallina squamata and C. officinalis, the former being especially dense near the level of L.W.O.S.T. On overhanging surfaces the Laminaria forest was missing, and the Corallina was replaced by a of various sponges and tunicates, the most plentiful of which were Halichondria panicea and Distomus variolosus. Both the undergrowth of Corallina and the Distomus-Halichondria carpet provided