The following pages present Biology and Sensitivity Key Information on habitats, biotope complexes and biotopes found within Annex I habitat types in the UK candidate marine SACs or addressed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Data research has concentrated on habitats, biotope complexes or biotopes that most frequently occur in UK candidate marine SACs, are nationally rare or scarce, are likely to be sensitive to human activities or natural events, and that provide examples of the diversity of marine habitats in UK waters.

The Biology and Sensitivity Key Information reviews for habitats are placed on-line as they are completed, pending referees comments. The un-refereed Key Information reviews are presented in DRAFT form only, and comments would be gratefully recieved. Where Key Information habitat reviews are refereed, the referee is identified on the relevant Web page. Use of information on these Web pages are subject to MarLIN's terms and conditions.

Habitats are listed as biotopes according to the Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland published by the Marine Habitats team at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). The Marine Biotope Classification was published in 1997 (version 97.06) (Connor et al., 1997a & Connor et al., 1997b) but has been updated and expanded recently (version 04.05) (Connor et al., 2004). However, considerable volumes of biotope survey data and the majority of the biotope information listed on the MarLIN Web site were classified under the 1997 version. Therefore, biotopes are listed separately under either the 1997 or 2004 biotopes codes. Follow the links below to browse each list. Alternatively you can search for the relevant biotope.

One of the most important aspects these changes bring are commitments to manage the UK’s most important marine habitats and species in a manner that leads to populations and communities being maintained and, in some cases, restored over time. To be successful, such management needs knowledge of the distribution of habitats and species, as well as an understanding of their sensitivity to the effects of human activities. Only through this approach will we be able to manage habitats and species on a sustainable basis

Our knowledge of habitat and species distribution is well advanced, not least due to the 10 year programme of survey undertaken by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). Information on relative sensitivity and links to the effects of human activity are, however, rather less well developed and are only now just receiving the attention they deserve for the role they will play in future management of these waters.