2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil broadscale validation benthic survey - part B
The purpose of this benthic survey of Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil was to carry out a broadscale validation survey of historical records and to assess the distribution and condition of beds of flameshells (Limaria hains), horse mussels (Modiolus modiolus), intertidal blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and sea loch egg wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii). Additional aims included assessment of the current condition of recorded instances of northern sea fan and intertidal tide-swept algal communities. Surveying in the Linnhe sea lochs system was split into two parts, A and B. Part A was a coarse grained characterisation of the search feature distribution, carried out by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), that incorporated remote benthic sampling using a combination of grab and video (DDV and ROV). Part B (described here) was chiefly to examine discrete beds of specific PMFs, undertaken by Heriot-Watt University (HWU), using divers to provide detailed survey analyses on targeted high priority features, shore based survey methods and drop-down video. This study aimed to determine whether PMFs and MPA search features were still present at previously documented locations. A drop-down video and diver survey was conducted by HWU for SNH between the 18th June and 4th November 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 38 sites within the Linnhe sea lochs system study area from the RV Serpula, principally as a component of the localised dive surveys of flame shell and horse mussel beds. The images, analysed under SNH contract by HWU, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Localised surveys (combination of DDV, dive and diver MNCR phase-two) were carried out at 9 sites to assess the distribution, extent and condition of the high priority PMF MPA search features. The vessels RV Seol Mara and RV Serpula were used for this survey. This work was funded by Marine Scotland as part of the Scottish MPA project.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000152-MRSNH01800000016-LELE
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Moore, C. G., Harries, D. B. & Trigg, C. (2012). The distribution of selected MPA search features within Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil: a broadscale validation survey (Part B). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.502.
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-03-16
creation
2012-05-25
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-5.7000
-4.9600
56.8700
56.3700
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
creation
2009-05-01
42E4
creation
2009-05-01
43E4
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2011-06-18
2011-11-04
publication
2012-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from around Lochs Linnhe, Etive, Leven and Eil was collected by HWU, SNH and SAMS between the 18th June and 4th November 2011 onboard either the vessel RV Seol Mara or RV Serpula. Drop-down video was deployed from RV Serpula at 38 sites, principally as a component of the localised surveys of flame shell and horse mussel. The video system used consisted of a Panasonic NV-GS150 three chip digital video camera within a Seapro housing held within a frame, illuminated by twin 100 watt lamps. positional data and time, updated every second, were streamed to a video overlay system for display on the captured video, with positional, time and depth data also logged by computer every two seconds. This facilitated subsequent biotoping of the video runs. The video material from each station was processed in the laboratory by HWU, contracted by SNH, with notes being taken on the substrate and the biota present, where possible employing the SACFOR scale of abundance. Biotopes were allocated and stations were also categorised according to the PMFs and MPA search features present. Detailed localised surveys were carried out at 9 sites to assess the distribution, extent and condition of flameshell, horse mussel, blue mussel and sea loch egg wrack beds. Sites of historical records for northern sea fan and tide-swept algal communities were also assessed for current condition. Various combinations of drop-down video, dive, and MNCR phase 2 diver surveys were done at these sites to assess the distribution these high priority features. To supplement the real-time visual records and collections, the MNCR phase 2 diver transect band was videoed using a hand-held digital video camera and still photographs taken of the habitat and associated community using two digital still cameras. The diver species records and those derived from the study of the collected biota, underwater camera, ROV, DDV footage and still photographs were collated to produce a species list for the transect or video tow band with, where possible, SACFOR abundance estimates. Based on the physical and biological data collected, a biotope was allocated. Detailed survey methods used at each localised survey site can be found in the Commissioned Report 502.
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
Teaching Fellow
Heriot-Watt University School of Life Sciences
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
2020-03-05