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Small-scale variation within a Modiolus modiolus (Mollusca: Bivalvia) reef in the Irish Sea: I. Seabed mapping and reef morphology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2008

C. Lindenbaum ,
J.D. Bennell ,
E.I.S. Rees ,
D. McClean ,
W. Cook ,
A.J. Wheeler  and
W.G. Sanderson
C. Lindenbaum*
Affiliation:
Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, LL57 2LQ, UK
J.D. Bennell
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Ynys Mon, LL59 5EY, UK
E.I.S. Rees
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Ynys Mon, LL59 5EY, UK
D. McClean
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Ynys Mon, LL59 5EY, UK
W. Cook
Affiliation:
North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YY
A.J. Wheeler
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Environmental Research Institute, University of Cork, Cork, Ireland
W.G. Sanderson
Affiliation:
Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, LL57 2LQ, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: W.G. Sanderson, Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, LL57 2LQ, UK email: b.sanderson@ccw.gov.uk
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Abstract

Surveys by digital side-scan sonar, RoxAnnTM acoustic ground discrimination systems, multibeam echosounder and a sub-bottom profiling system showed that a Modiolus modiolus reef, in the Irish Sea off Pen Llŷn, north-west Wales, had a distinctive morphology and acoustic characteristics. The extent of the reef could therefore be determined and the benthic structure reliably mapped. The biogenic reef is in an area with moderately strong tidal currents and overlays lag gravel and cobbles with patchy sand veneers. The mussels form an undulating surface, orientated perpendicular to the current, with an average wavelength of 11.7 m and amplitude of 0.24 m that is significantly different from the surrounding seabed. Reef deposits reach a thickness of 1 m on top of the underlying lag gravels. The characteristic reef surface morphology helps distinguish the reef from the surrounding seabed on side-scan sonar and multibeam echosounder records and the undulations create the spatial complexity that influences the small-scale distribution of the associated epifauna, and infauna, reported in papers II and III of this series. The M. modiolus reef was recorded in the same location 40 y ago and has probably persisted there for over 150 y. Monitoring implications are discussed.

Keywords

Modiolusbiogenic reefbiohermsonarIrish SeamonitoringSACconservation management
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 88 , Issue 1 , February 2008 , pp. 133 - 141
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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