Devoid of life.

The mixture of minerals commonly used in the construction industry, that may be sourced from the seabed (Defra, 2007).

Any man-made structure that is submerged, or partially submerged, at any stage of the tidal cycle. It may be placed by design for a multitude of purposes, eg piers, jetties, coastal defence, fishery e [..]

A description for animals, plants and habitats associated with the seabed. All plants and animals that live in, on or near the seabed are benthos (Defra, 2007).

Those organisms attached to, or living on, in or near, the seabed, including that part which is exposed by tides as the littoral zone (based on Lincoln & Boxshall, 1987).

"The variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes [..]

The UN Convention on Biodiversity at the UNCED ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro 1992 to safeguard the total variety of animals, plants and all other living matter on Earth (Anon, 2001).

That part of the Earth’s environment that is occupied by living organisms (Anon, 2001).

The physical habitat with its associated, distinctive biological communities. The smallest unit of a habitat that can be delineated conveniently and is characterised by the community of plants and ani [..]

Legislation introduced at a local level to meet a specified need. Local authorities, Sea Fisheries Committees, ports and harbour authorities, for example, all have the power to introduce and enforce b [..]