Geodia and other massive sponges on Atlanto-Arctic upper bathyal coarse sediment

This biotope has been found at approximately 500 m on the eastern slopes of the Faroe-Shetland Channel. It principally consists of rather small sponge specimens that practically carpet the seafloor. Large sponges (tens of centimetres in diameter) are, however, common. The area where the community is observed experiences temperature fluctuations between <0°C to >8°C and heightend current speeds as a result of internal tides between Arctic and Atlantic environmental data. This assemblage is also known as Boreal 'Ostur'. The assemblage is recorded on both mixed and coarse sediment, but associated infaunal species are likely to differ. Characterizing species listed refer to all Geodia and other massive sponge assemblages not just those found associated with the zone and substrate specified in this biotope. (Information from Parry et al., 2015; JNCC, 2015).