2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Kentra Bay, Lochaber Site Condition Monitoring survey of intertidal sediment flats
The main purpose of this 2014 study was to continue site condition monitoring of the intertidal features of the Kentra Bay and Moss SSSI, following the inauguration of monitoring in 2003, to facilitate assessment of the condition of the intertidal sediment flat habitats. The approach followed that taken in 2003, involving sampling at a series of 16 relocatable stations along 5 transects that reflect the biological and environmental diversity of the sediment flats in the SSSI. A subsidiary aim of the survey work was to produce a biotope map of the sediment flats. This involved supplementing the SCM data by walking over the area recording the nature of the substratum and conspicuous biota observed.
dataset
GB-SCT-CMEU-000271-KB
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Moore, C.G., Lyndon, A.R., Harries, D.B., Tulbure, K.W. & Brash, J. 2015. 2014 site condition monitoring survey and biotope mapping of the intertidal sediment flats of the Kentra Bay and Moss SSSI. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 808
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2017-05-12
-5.8853
-5.8327
56.7661
56.7368
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
42E4
2014-08-08
2014-08-12
publication
2015-12-31
notPlanned
Sampling for the SCM survey took place at a series of relocatable stations along transects that reflected the biological and environmental diversity of the sediment flats in the SSSI. The transects (KA to KE), which included a total of 16 sample stations, were laid out perpendicular to the shore and to low water channels at the seaward end. Each station lay within a perceived habitat zone identified from the physical appearance and biological surface features. The positions of both stations and zone boundaries were recorded. At each station 8 cores of 10.3 cm diameter and 15 cm depth were taken for analysis of macrofauna, along with a single core of 3.4cm diameter and 20 cm depth for particle size anlaysis. The macrofaunal cores from each station were pooled and sieved through a 1 mm sieve. At one station along each transect an additional 3 replicate sets of 8 pooled cores were taken and treated as above. A record of any surfical biota was made by photographing five replicate randomly placed 0.25 m2 quadrats and noting incidental visual records. In addition, approximately 1 m2 of sediment was dug-over using a spade, to a depth of about 30 cm to check for the presence of any infauna which might not have been effectively sampled by the cores and estimates of their density made using the SACFOR scale. All transects and stations had their positions fixed by hand-held differential GPS using WGS84 datum. For biotope mapping of the sediment flats a wireframe map (of putative habitat polygons) with aerial imagery was available in the field on a series of laminated sheets. It was also uploaded to a large-screen, sunlight-readable, differential GPS receiver (Garmin Montana 600). One team of 2 - 3 recorders surveyed the area, largely within three hours either side of low water springs by walking each of the polygons where possible, employing target notes at fixed locations to record the characteristics of the habitat. Where appropriate, descriptions of habitats between target point positions were also recorded, with the surveyors' track continuously recorded by a GPS data logger. Field data collected to aid subsequent biotope identification included physical habitat characteristics, biotic surface features and the infauna revealed by digging over an area of c. 1 m2, with retention of specimens where necessary for laboratory identification. In many cases it was also felt necessary to supplement dig-over material by sieving sediment from an area of c. 0.07 m2 using a 1 mm mesh. Field observations were supplemented by still and video photography. The wireframe laminates were used for sketching the distribution of perceived habitats in the field and to aid investigation of conspicuous features on the aerial imagery. In general, biotope ascription to areas was deferred until the results of infaunal analysis were available and, in view of the limited information available at individual target sites, biotopes were assigned to areas, rather than individual sites. Preliminary sketches of the distribution of biotopes were produced within ArcGIS 10.2 using the drawing facility, with the finalised map converted into biotope polygons. The biotope mapping GIS project employed the OSGB 1936 coordinate system and British National Grid projection.
publication
2011-02-02
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not to be used for navigation. This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences that SNH consider as sensititive; all records may therefore be released in response to requests covered by Environmental Information Regulations or Freedom of Information Regulations; additionally its re-use and dissemination is permissable under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner.
no restrictions to public access
Consultant
Colin Moore
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
01463 725000
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
01463 725000
pointOfContact
2020-12-10