BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Saccharina latissima
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Nicola White and Charlotte Marshall	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Joanna Jones
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	All coasts of Britain & Ireland.
Global distribution	Recorded from the Atlantic coasts of Europe as far north as Novaya Zemlya and south to northern Portugal and around Iceland. Also found in Greenland, Eastern coast of America down to New Jersey, Pacific coast of America, Bering Straits and Japan.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	Sublittoral fringe to 30 m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Laminaria saccharina is often found on unstable substrata such as rocks and boulders. The species is adapted to growing on these by having a flexible stipe which reduces leverage on any boulder to which it is attached, reducing the chance of its being turned over by wave movement. The species can even grow unattached and extensive populations can develop on loose-lying sand in calm conditions. In wave-exposed conditions the species may extend into the lower eulittoral.

Substratum preferences	Bedrock Large to very large boulders Small boulders Cobbles Pebbles	Physiographic preferences	Open coast Strait / sound Sealoch Ria / Voe Estuary
Biological zone	Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral	Wave exposure	Sheltered Very Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn) Very Weak (negligible)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu) Low (<18 psu) Reduced (18-30 psu) Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References