Limaria hians are commonly known by flame shells. Flame shells beds have a restricted distribution in the North East Atlantic Region.
In recent years there has been a decline in quantity and quality of this habitat, which together with its limited geographical distribution and continuing threats, motivated to assess this habitat as Vulnerable.
"Flame shell beds are likely to be sensitive to substratum loss, smothering, increased wave action, changes in water flow, physical disturbance, synthetic contaminants, increased nutrients, decreased salinity, and extraction. Flame shell beds are highly vulnerable to seabed trawling and dredging, evidence of this is found in the destruction of the once large beds in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. Other threats include coastal developments and coastal defences, disturbance by mooring chains and anchors and contamination by Tributyl Tin (TBT) a component of antifouling paint." (Marine Habitat Group, 2015)
Source:
European Environmental Information and Observation Network - Marine Habitat Group (2015). "European Red List of Habitats ". Retrieved from European Environment Information and Observation Network, accessed on 2021-11-10.
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