Flame shell beds - Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment (Priority Marine Feature) (SNH WMS)

The Priority Marine Feature (PMF) list contains 81 habitats and species considered to be of conservation importance in Scotland's seas. It includes many features which are characteristic of the Scottish marine environment, ranging from flame shell beds in coastal waters, to cold-water coral reefs of the deeper seas, and mobile species such as minke whale and basking shark.

This layer shows the distribution of Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment. These are most commonly found on mixed muddy gravel and sand in tide-swept narrows in sea lochs. They are scarce in the UK: the majority of records are from west Scotland and are considered of national importance. The most extensive beds are in Loch Sunart and Loch Fyne. Large beds once found in the Firth of Clyde have declined considerably.