Global ecosystem typology

Alternative site for the Global ecosystem typology with additional information for ecosystem profiles and indicative maps.

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M1.6 Subtidal rocky reefs

Biome: M1. Marine shelf biome

Contributors:
(texts)

These rocky subtidal ecosystems are widespread globally on ocean shelves . They are distinguished from kelp forests (M1.2) by their lack of a dense macroalgal canopy. Indeed, their complex habitat structure is derived mostly from irregular rock forms, rather than biogenic features, and supports a diverse epibenthic fauna, with a range of mobile benthic animals (e.g. anemones), while truly sessile organisms tend to be small (e.g. turf algae, barnacles). Community structure depends on depth, wave action, currents and light: for example, turbulence specialists like barnacles are more prolific on shallower, higher energy reefs. Storms impact structure by shifting sand and dislodging larger organisms episodically.

Key Features

Productive systems with functionally diverse sessile and mobile biota, and a strong depth gradient.

Overview of distribution

Continental and island shelves.

Profile versions

  • v1.0 (2020-01-20): BA Polidoro; EJ Gregr; DA Keith
  • v2.0 (2020-06-15): BA Polidoro; EJ Gregr; SE Swearer; SN Porter; DA Keith
  • v2.01 ():
  • v2.1 (2022-04-06): BA Polidoro; EJ Gregr; SE Swearer; SN Porter; DA Keith Full profile available at official site

Main references

Selected references for this functional group:

  • Sebens K (1985) The ecology of the rocky subtidal zone American Scientist 73: 548-557. URL

Diagrammatic assembly model

Diagrammatic assembly model of M1.6 Subtidal rocky reefs. See general notes on diagrams. Open image full size.

Maps

Maps are indicative of global distribution patterns are not intended to represent fine-scale patterns. The maps show areas of the world containing major (coloured red) or minor occurrences (coloured yellow) of each ecosystem functional group. See general notes on maps.

There are 2 alternative versions of the indicative map for this functional group, please compare description and sources below.

M1.6.IM.orig_v1.0

Datasets

  • GSFM-2014

Map references

  • Harris PT, Macmillan-Lawler M, Rupp J, Baker EK (2014) Geomorphology of the oceans. Marine Geology 352: 4-24. 10.1016/j.margeo.2014.01.011

M1.6.web.orig_v1.0

These are ecosystem functional groups that are widespread through the global extent of the marine shelf biome. Reliable data on their precise distribution are limited. To represent regional uncertainty, their indicative distributions were mapped in as minor occurrences through the full extent of the marine ‘shelf’ base layer as mapped by Harris et al. (2014b). Occurrences were converted to 30 arc second spatial resolution. Open image full size.

Datasets

  • GSFM-2014

Map references

  • Harris PT, Macmillan-Lawler M, Rupp J, Baker EK (2014) Geomorphology of the oceans. Marine Geology 352: 4-24. 10.1016/j.margeo.2014.01.011

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