2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Alsh benthic camera and infaunal grab survey
The main aim of this investigation in Loch Alsh (within the Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh marine protected area (MPA)) was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats of recognized conservation importance, including protected features burrowed mud and flame shell beds. This site was selected for survey because it is an MPA. A drop-down video survey and a grab survey of benthic habitats was undertaken by SNH from the 25th to 26th March 2014 on board the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) research vessel Sir John Murray. Underwater video footage was collected using DDV camera system at 52 sites within the MPA. Analysis of seabed video and still photographic imagery is used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. On the same survey and research vessel, SNH collected single infaunal grab samples at 12 stations for Marine Scotland.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-CMEU-000259-LA
http://GB-SCT-SNH-CMEU-000259-LA
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Allen, J.H. 2014. Infaunal and PSA analyses of benthic samples collected from Loch Alsh, in March 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 790; Moore, C.G. 2015. Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in marine protected areas and renewable energy locations around Scotland in 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 819
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-03-16
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-5.7773
-5.5166
57.2980
57.2426
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
43E4
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
littoral
2014-03-25
2014-03-26
publication
2015-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from Loch Alsh was collected by SNH on board Sir John Murray on the 25th and 26th March 2014, covering the areas within and immediately outside Loch Alsh in water depths ranging from 6m - 78m. This data were collected using a mini-drop down video system. HD GoPro video footage was recorded at 52 stations. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by SNH contractor Dr Colin Moore to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Biotopes were allocated based on the biological and physical attributes. Where the video run traversed a sequence of biotopes, the run is split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using the time, position and depth. Grab samples were collected at 12 stations, undertaken over the same 2 survey days as drop down video. At each station, a single grab was collected using a 0.1m2 Day grab. A total of 12 infaunal samples were collected during the survey, although particle size analysis (PSA) samples were only collected at 10 of these stations. Each infaunal grab sample was passed through a 1mm mesh sieve and the infaunal sieve residue retained and fixed with buffered formalin for subsequent analysis. A small subsample of the grab was removed for PSA analysis and stored in plastic bags before being frozen. Precision Marine Limited were contracted by SNH to undertake infaunal analysis of the grab samples. This included infaunal identification, PSA, assigning of a biotope to each sample, and identification of protected features. All laboratory methodologies were based on best practice and Precision Marine Survey Ltd is a member of the NMBAQC.
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 on 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
2019-08-02