2006 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Sunart marine features site condition monitoring survey
The principle purpose of this benthic survey in Loch Sunart SAC and SSSI was to design and initiate a hierarchical monitoring programme for the features of interest within the SSSI and SAC; subtidal and intertidal rocky reefs, Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii (A.mac) beds, and seagrass beds. To achieve this, a combination of remote drop-down video, diver transects, intertidal transects, mapping methodologies, a limited grab survey and diver coring and quadrat sampling techniques were used. Sampling was conducted by Aquatic Survey and Monitoring Ltd. (ASML) for SNH between the 2nd and 20th July 2006 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. The video and still photograph images were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000108-MRSNH00200000004-LS
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Mercer, Howson, Moore (2007) Site Condition Monitoring: survey of marine features within the Sunart Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 286
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-02-14
creation
2012-03-16
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-6.0600
-5.4700
56.7600
56.5900
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
42E3
creation
2009-05-01
42E4
creation
1954-01-01
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2006-07-02
2006-07-20
publication
2007-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from the Loch Sunart was collected by ASML between the 2nd and 20th July 2006. Images were obtained from a drop-down video survey at 120 stations between 02/07/06-06/07/06. Each video run was deployed just above the seabed for between 2-5mins to achieve tows of approx. 100m length. Two sets of drop-down video equipment were used for this survey, one supplied by SNH and a second by ASML, operating independently from two SNH owend RIB boats, Aquilla and Aphrodite. The two systems were similar light-weight systems that could be hand-hauled and operated from a RIB. Both were based on Sony 3CCD digital video cameras with Mini DV format tapes. The drop-down system owned by Scottish Natural Heritage uses a Sony DCR-TRV900 housed in an Amphibico Navigator 900 (VHNV0900) aluminum housing which can operate to 100 m depth and accepts a long-life battery. The ASML drop-down video system uses a Sony DRV 950 camera in an aluminium housing rated to 130m. Analyses of the video footage and stills was undertaken by ASML, contracted by SNH, to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Where video runs traversed a sequence of biotopes, the runs are split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using time. Segmentation of runs was not practicable in the case of mosaics of recurring biotopes, in which case all biotopes observed were simply listed. Intertidal and subtidal reef surveys were also undertaken. Relocatable survey transects were established at 7 intertidal sites and 8 subtidal sites, chosen to be representative of the variety of biotopes present in the area and to include sites in each zone of the loch. Diving and intertidal work was carried over 12 days from 08/07/06-20/07/06. Dive transects were approximately 100 m long and 4 m wide and were surveyed using semiquantitative Phase II and quantitative quadrat recording techniques, with the aim of describing the biotopes along the transects and establishing their species’ complement and the abundance of the constituent species. Subtidal transects extended to 30 m below sea level or 100 m distance, whichever was reached first. For an intertidal transect, a 100 m tape measure was attached to a piton and followed a constant bearing down the shore. The position of all the markers was recorded by GPS and photographs were taken to aid in future relocation. A band 2 m either side of the tape was surveyed by two workers recording the habitat and the biota using the MNCR SACFOR scale of abundance, with collection of material for laboratory examination where in situ. identification was not possible. Abundance was assessed over the zone as a whole, unless stated otherwise. A digital video camera and a digital stills camera were used to make representative photographic recordings of the transect zones in both the intertidal and subtidal. One biotope on each transect was selected for quantitative quadrat recording, using 0.25m2 quadrats, to supplement the semi-quantitative phase II data. Methodologies used for sampling A. mac and Zostera are detailed in the report sited below.
publication
2011-02-02
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not for navigational use; This survey recorded no species or biotope occurrences 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.
No restrictions on public access
Aquatic Survey and Monitoring Ltd.
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
pointOfContact
2020-04-03