Identification

Title

2003 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Sound of Arisaig Site Condition Monitoring survey

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to initiate site condition monitoring (SCM) of the inshore sublittoral sediment habitats of the cSAC. This was done to establish a baseline biological dataset that would facilitate the assessment of the condition of the inshore sublittoral sediment habitats in the future and to allow a judgement to be formed on the current condition of these habitats. The approach taken to achieve these aims was to perform an extensive dropdown video survey of the biotopes (habitats and their associated species) of the cSAC, concentrating on the shallow inshore sediments. Characterisation of the subsurface fauna and sediment composition of the main sediment biotopes was performed by means of grab sampling. Detailed surveying of the sea bed and subsurface communities at selected maerl sites was carried out using diving techniques.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000086-MRSNH0110000000F-SoA

codeSpace

http://www.nature.scot

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326

Additional information source

Moore, C.G., Lyndon, A.R. and Mair, J.M. (2004). The establishment of site condition monitoring of marine sedimentary habitats in the Sound of Arisaig cSAC. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 071 (ROAME No. F02AA409).

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

biota

biota

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

Keyword set

keyword value

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2008-01-06

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2009-11-16

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2011-02-16

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2011-07-06

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2006-08-31

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2017-05-12

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-5.9670

East bounding longitude

-5.6665

North bounding latitude

56.9024

South bounding latitude

56.7328

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-06-18

code identifying the extent

Minches & Western Scotland

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

42E4

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

1954-01-01

code identifying the extent

Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2010-01-01

code identifying the extent

circalittoral

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2010-01-01

code identifying the extent

infralittoral

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

2003-07-01

End position

2003-09-30

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2004-05-31

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

The investigation was divided into three stages: 1) Dropdown Video: Knowledge of the distribution, diversity and extent of biotopes was gained by performing a stratified random sampling drop-down video survey, supplemented by a limited amount of focussed sampling. To promote adequate coverage of the different regions within the cSAC, the survey area between the 0m and 20m contours was split up into 20 strata. The area of each of these strata was measured within ArcView and a number of video samples allocated to each stratum in proportion to its size. The positions of sample stations within each stratum was determined by employing random numbers to generate a large list of potential positions which fell within the northern, southern, eastern and western bounds of the stratum. 150 stratified random sampling stations were selected using this method. At each station the video was deployed briefly from a drifting vessel, noting the times, depths and precise positions at the start and end of the drift. The runs averaged 4 minutes duration and 50m in length. In addition to the 150 stratified random sample sites, a farther 53 drop-down video sites were worked to provide coverage of the deeper areas, to fill in any perceived geographical gaps in the random samples and to position sites in the vicinity of locations previously surveyed by others. This fieldwork was carried out by SNH from the RIB Aphrodite, survey dates 05/07/2003 - 13/07/2003. 2) Grab Survey: Following categorisation of sample stations on the basis of biotope, sample stations representative of the different sedimentary biotopes were selected for analysis of the infauna and sediment composition by grab sampling at 20 stations. At each station a single 0.1m2 van Veen grab sample was collected using the vessel RV Serpula. A subsample of c.150ml sediment was taken from the surface of the grab contents for particle size analysis and the remaining material sieved on a 1mm mesh screen, the sievings being retained in borax-buffered 5% formalin. 3) Maerl Survey: Five maerl sites were selected for detailed examination of the infauna and epibiota along a 25m transect. A band 2m either side of the tape was surveyed by two divers, one on each side, who noted the presence, and where possible, estimates of the abundance of conspicuous biota, collecting material which needed to be identified in the laboratory. Representative samples of the algal community were also taken as well as samples of stones and shells for study of their epibiota in the laboratory. To supplement the real-time visual records and collections, the transect band was videoed using a hand-held digital video camera (Sony DCR-TRV900 in an Amphibico Navigator 900 housing) and at some sites still photographs taken of the maerl and associated community using a digital stills camera. The epibiota was surveyed using MNCR Phase II methods and 5 replicate cores, 10.3cm diameter corer to a depth of 20cm, were taken for infaunal analysis, and an additional 20cm sediment core of 5cm diameter was taken for grain size analysis. The areal extent of these maerl beds beyond the 25m transect was also assessed by performing drop-down video surveys at stations along lines radiating out from the station marker.

Conformity

Conformity report

specification

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2011-02-02

degree

true

explanation

See the referenced specification

Conformity report

specification

title

reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2018-01-23

degree

true

explanation

See the referenced specification

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Use constraints

Not for navigational use; This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences that SNH consider as sensitive; 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 permissible under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner.

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

no restrictions to public access

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

contact position

Consultant

organisation name

Colin Moore

email address

c.g.moore84@gmail.com

responsible party role

originator

Responsible party

contact position

Data Manager

organisation name

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters

full postal address

Great Glen House, Leachkin Road

Inverness

IV3 8NW

telephone number

01463 725000

email address

data_supply@nature.scot

responsible party role

custodian

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

contact position

Data Manager

organisation name

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters

full postal address

Great Glen House, Leachkin Road

Inverness

IV3 8NW

telephone number

01463 725000

email address

data_supply@nature.scot

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2019-10-24

Metadata language