2013 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Stronsay Firth benthic camera survey
The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise 0213A) in the southern region Rousay sound, Orkney was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particuarly proposed protected features (PPFs) and other priority marine features (PMFs). An underwater video survey were conducted by MSS for MSS on the 8th and 9th February 2013 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 14 sites within an area of the sound that is at the time of sampling was being proposed as a location for a tidal energy test facility. Analyses on the images, commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. SNH used the vessel FRV Alba na Mara for this survey.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000241-MRSNH01800000034-STS
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Moore, C. G. 2013. Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in the Clyde Sea (Loch Goil and the south of Arran) and in Orkney (Rousay Sound and Stronsay Firth). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 631.
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-2.7671
-2.6619
59.1008
59.0380
creation
2009-06-18
Scottish Continental Shelf
creation
2009-05-01
47E7
creation
1954-01-01
North Sea
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2013-02-08
2013-02-09
publication
2013-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from Stronsay Firth was collected by MSS on the 8th and 9th February 2013. Video images were obtained from 14 drop-down video drift tows onboard the vessel FRV Alba na Mara. The drop-down video camera set up also carried a vertically-orientated digital stills camera which took photographs of the seabed at intervals and a laser scaling system to aid biotope determinations. Track and depth data were displayed on a video overlay system on the SD camera feed, additional to the HD footage being recorded. SNH contracted Dr Colin Moore to analyse the video footage 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. 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. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of PPFs and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance according to a number of additional criteria, including citation on the following lists: the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (lower risk category), the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats and the Scottish Biodiversity List.
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not for navigational use; 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
2019-09-05