Climate change and marine conservation • Maerl beds are formed by calcareous red seaweeds and support diverse communities of plants and animals. • Three species are most abundant in the UK and their relative composition varies with latitude, salinity and wave exposure. • Maerl beds are listed as a Priority Marine Feature (PMF) in Scotland, as a Habitat of Principal Importance in England, a Section 7 priority habitat in Wales, and are included as a feature of Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

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... ut the UK. They are also on the OSPAR list of threatened and/or declining species and habitats. • Potential impacts of climate change include reductions in pH affecting skeleton formation, changes in sea temperature affecting growth and reproduction, and changes in storminess and run-off causing physical damage. • Reducing pressures associated with human activities remains the most effective method of increasing resilience of maerl beds to climate change. • Improved consideration in river and marine planning of the need to reduce impacts from freshwater inputs and terrestrial run-off, will help improve their resilience. Practical actions that could support management of maerl beds in a changing climate Further research Survey diver on the Caol Scotnish rapids maerl bed at Loch Sween MPA.