Identification

Title

2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland (MS) Noss Head benthic camera and grab survey

Abstract

The purpose of this benthic survey off Noss Head, near Sinclair's Bay, was to confirm the presence of a horse mussel bed, Modiolus modiolus, and to determine if any other priority marine features (PMFs) or MPA search features were also present. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by Heriot-Watt University and SNH for MS between the 3rd and 5th September 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 51 sites within the Noss Head area concentrating immediately in and around the area of historic records of M. modiolus. The images and infaunal samples, analysed under SNH contract by Heriot-Watt University, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An infaunal grab survey was also undertaken on this survey at a subset of 10 drop-down video stations, selected to target the range of likely sedimentary habitats as well as the horse mussel bed with the purpose to gain a broader understanding of the habitat type and assist in biotope assignment. The vessel RV Alba na Mara was used for this survey - samples were also collected from the Southern Trench on the same cruise.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000164-MRSNH02500000002-NH

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

Hirst, N.E., Clark, L. & Sanderson, W.G. (2012). The distribution of selected MPA search features and Priority Marine Features off the NE coast of Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.500

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

2012-03-16

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2012-05-25

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2005-04-27

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

-3.5000

East bounding longitude

-2.5000

North bounding latitude

59.0000

South bounding latitude

58.0000

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-06-18

code identifying the extent

Northern North Sea

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

45E6

Extent group

authority code

title

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

46E6

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

2011-09-03

End position

2011-09-05

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2012-12-31

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

This subtidal seabed data from around Noss Head was collected by Heriot-Watt University and SNH between the 3rd and 5th September 2011 onboard the vessel RV Alba na Mara. Survey stations were chosen using a stratified random coarse grid pattern with a higher density of stations around the horse mussel records. Video images were obtained from a combined total of 51 drop-down video drift tows deployed just above the seabed for 5-10mins. Still photographs were also taken approximately taken every minute manually. A Konsberg OE14-366 colour zoom camera was used alongside a Konsberg 14-208 digital stills camera, with camera and lights mounted onto a sled for this survey. Positional, time and depth data are available for the start and end of video runs. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Heriot-Watt University, 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 for colonies and large aggregations of individuals, where possible, or using numerical abundance of individuals. 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 PMFs and MPA search features, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. Infaunal samples were collected at 10 stations in the Noss Head survey area using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Sampling stations for grabs were selected based on a subset of drop-down video sampling stations so as to represent the range of likely sedimentary habitats. Single sediment grabs were collected at each station to gain a broad understanding of the biotopes present on the seabed. A small sub sample of each grab was taken for particle size analysis (PSA), before being sieved by hand through a 1mm mesh size. Any material retained on the sieve was transferred to a labelled container before being fixed with a buffered 4% formaldehyde solution. A biotope was assigned to each grab sample. Due to the nature of the consolidated horse mussel bedform, the Day grab was ineffective for retrieving samples from this habitat, as was a pipe dredge. PSA and infaunal analysis was also undertaken by Heriot-Watt University.

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 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.

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

No restrictions on public access

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

Heriot-Watt University School of Life Sciences

email address

natmanta@hotmail.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

2020-03-05

Metadata language