Identification

Title

1983 Alconbury Environmental Consultants, The Fleet, Dorset, Quadrat survey of Zostera and Ruppia

Abstract

Survey “Holmes, N.T.H. 1983. The distribution of Zostera and Ruppia in the Fleet. Report to Nature Conservancy Council, Alconbury Environmental Consultants. A copy of the report is held at English Nature (Dorset Team). DK from report:- 1st of 3 surveys by author, covers Fleet (Dorset). Previous marine plant surveys carried out on Fleet shown few mapped exact species distribution. This survey collect data to form baseline, assess stability populations of Eelgrass species - Zostera noltii and Zostera angustifolia, and Tasselweeds species - Ruppia cirrhosa (entered onto database as R.spiralis) and Ruppia maritima. Other species included algaes: Fucus, Enteromorpha, Cladophora and Ulva. Method:- 1st two weeks August 1983. Survey area:- whole of Fleet, west and east ends less rigorously than main body of Fleet. In Fleet, and below the Narrows no aquatic angiosperms encountered, author took 20 quasi-quadrats on foot along north shore. Samples taken from quadrats (about 100m2), each quadrat (radius = 5.5 meters approx.) 2.5 meters loop of anchor rope over pole thrust into mud in centre of quadrat, distance from pole to end of boat = 5.5 meters. Using oars or punting pole, boat rotated around pole several times, about 100m2 inspected. Random site selection (A-J), determined by access (by foot / row boat). Appendix 1: quadrat position. Data collection on relative abundance of individual aquatic angiosperms species within each surveyed quadrats. Semi - quantitatively estimating area covered by individual species within quadrat, and percentage expressed of total area investigated. In practical terms obviously prone to considerable recorder error, but reduced by recording within 100m quadrats (simplifies percentage estimates regarded each 1m2 area as 1% of total). Report details on plant identification, information on depth, substrate and associated algae approx. 50 algal and mollusc species - samples collected for others; re Fleet Study Group. Presence of Sargassum noted, details passed to Dr Farnham, Portsmouth University. Results:- raw data pertaining to both substrate and flora within each 100m2 quadrats (Appendix 2). Table provides information on relative proportions of organic mud, inorganic mud, sand, gravel, pebbles and cobbles within each quadrat, and total vegetational cover. Algal data given for firmly attached fucoids, Lamprothamnion and free floating Enteromorphas, Cladophoraleans and Ulvas. Percentage surface area of quadrats covered by Zostera and Ruppia species given. Table summarises date and time quadrats sampled. Results show Z.angustifolia, Z. noltii and R. cirrhosa common in Fleet, and R. maritima less frequent and locally distributed, no other angiosperms recorded. Fig.1 importance of these species in different quadrats varied considerably, Fig.2 details distribution and extent for 4 angiosperms and Lamprothamnion, Fig.3, (Table 10) summarises relative importance of species in sites (A-H) of Fleet. Within discussion and recommendations, community succession throughout Fleet detailed, 1983 survey clearly illustrates zonation of individual species along length of Fleet, and results confirm previous findings although many new features of floras and fauna emerged. Reference given to each 4 species of angiosperms, L. papulosum and algae recorded. Survey data based on visual estimates of cover provided by individual species in 100m2 quadrats, at best survey data regarded valuable in evaluating relative abundance’s of various species in different areas of Fleet, and baseline for future changes. Author specifies that data not to be used, however crudely in quantitative evaluations of standingcrop. Tidal cover estimates (raw data tables) prone to additional problems due to unattached algal. Data to be regarded as accurate and representative record of distribution and relative importance of different aquatic flowering plants in Fleet (August 1983). Substrate records very subjective evaluations of organic / inorganic matter. Generally, clear black organic substrates dominant upperhalf of Fleet, grey inorganic muds predominate northern shore. Threats to Zostera and Ruppia discussed. Authors recommends future investigation within 3 years, raw data requires statistical treatment to evaluate significant correlations between species with depth, substrate, salinity and position. More control needed on discharges into Fleet and, Swannary (Abbotsbury) analyse swan population changes to assist nutrient budget investigations.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

Unique resource identifier

code

MRLRC00100000558

codeSpace

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

code identifying the spatial reference system

urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::27700

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

biota

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

Keyword set

keyword value

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2008-01-06

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

UNESCO

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2003-01-01

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

GEMET

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2011-07-06

Keyword set

keyword value

originating controlled vocabulary

title

SeaDataNet P021 parameter discovery vocabulary

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2009-11-16

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

-2.6102

East bounding longitude

-2.4683

North bounding latitude

50.6566

South bounding latitude

50.5762

Extent

Extent group

authority code

title

Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-06-18

code identifying the extent

Eastern Channel

Extent group

authority code

title

Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-06-18

code identifying the extent

Western Channel and Celtic Sea

Extent group

authority code

title

ICES Rectangles

reference date

date type

creation

effective date

2009-05-01

code identifying the extent

30E7

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

1983-08-03

End position

1983-08-11

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2013-02-14

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

Survey run by Alconbury Environmental Consultants (Nigel Holmes). Survey “Holmes, N.T.H. 1983. The distribution of Zostera and Ruppia in the Fleet. Report to Nature Conservancy Council, Alconbury Environmental Consultants. A copy of the report is held at English Nature (Dorset Team). DK from report:- 1st of 3 surveys by author, covers Fleet (Dorset). Previous marine plant surveys carried out on Fleet shown few mapped exact species distribution. This survey collect data to form baseline, assess stability populations of Eelgrass species - Zostera noltii and Zostera angustifolia, and Tasselweeds species - Ruppia cirrhosa (entered onto database as R.spiralis) and Ruppia maritima. Other species included algaes: Fucus, Enteromorpha, Cladophora and Ulva. Method:- 1st two weeks August 1983. Survey area:- whole of Fleet, west and east ends less rigorously than main body of Fleet. In Fleet, and below the Narrows no aquatic angiosperms encountered, author took 20 quasi-quadrats on foot along north shore. Samples taken from quadrats (about 100m2), each quadrat (radius = 5.5 meters approx.) 2.5 meters loop of anchor rope over pole thrust into mud in centre of quadrat, distance from pole to end of boat = 5.5 meters. Using oars or punting pole, boat rotated around pole several times, about 100m2 inspected. Random site selection (A-J), determined by access (by foot / row boat). Appendix 1: quadrat position. Data collection on relative abundance of individual aquatic angiosperms species within each surveyed quadrats. Semi - quantitatively estimating area covered by individual species within quadrat, and percentage expressed of total area investigated. In practical terms obviously prone to considerable recorder error, but reduced by recording within 100m quadrats (simplifies percentage estimates regarded each 1m2 area as 1% of total). Report details on plant identification, information on depth, substrate and associated algae approx. 50 algal and mollusc species - samples collected for others; re Fleet Study Group. Presence of Sargassum noted, details passed to Dr Farnham, Portsmouth University. Results:- raw data pertaining to both substrate and flora within each 100m2 quadrats (Appendix 2). Table provides information on relative proportions of organic mud, inorganic mud, sand, gravel, pebbles and cobbles within each quadrat, and total vegetational cover. Algal data given for firmly attached fucoids, Lamprothamnion and free floating Enteromorphas, Cladophoraleans and Ulvas. Percentage surface area of quadrats covered by Zostera and Ruppia species given. Table summarises date and time quadrats sampled. Results show Z.angustifolia, Z. noltii and R. cirrhosa common in Fleet, and R. maritima less frequent and locally distributed, no other angiosperms recorded. Fig.1 importance of these species in different quadrats varied considerably, Fig.2 details distribution and extent for 4 angiosperms and Lamprothamnion, Fig.3, (Table 10) summarises relative importance of species in sites (A-H) of Fleet. Within discussion and recommendations, community succession throughout Fleet detailed, 1983 survey clearly illustrates zonation of individual species along length of Fleet, and results confirm previous findings although many new features of floras and fauna emerged. Reference given to each 4 species of angiosperms, L. papulosum and algae recorded. Survey data based on visual estimates of cover provided by individual species in 100m2 quadrats, at best survey data regarded valuable in evaluating relative abundance’s of various species in different areas of Fleet, and baseline for future changes. Author specifies that data not to be used, however crudely in quantitative evaluations of standing crop. Tidal cover estimates (raw data tables) prone to additional problems due to unattached algal. Data to be regarded as accurate and representative record of distribution and relative importance of different aquatic flowering plants in Fleet (August 1983). Substrate records very subjective evaluations of organic / inorganic matter. Generally, clear black organic substrates dominant upperhalf of Fleet, grey inorganic muds predominate northern shore. Threats to Zostera and Ruppia discussed. Authors recommends future investigation within 3 years, raw data requires statistical treatment to evaluate significant correlations between species with depth, substrate, salinity and position. More control needed on discharges into Fleet and, Swannary (Abbotsbury) analyse swan population changes to assist nutrient budget investigations.

Conformity

Data format

name of format

version of format

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Use constraints

Data is freely available for research or commercial use providing that the originators are acknowledged in any publications produced. CC BY 4.0

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

No restrictions to public access

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

Alconbury Environmental Consultants

email address

dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk

responsible party role

originator

Responsible party

contact position

Data Manager

organisation name

Natural England

full postal address

Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green

York

YO1 7PX

telephone number

+44 (0)300 060 3900

facsimile number

+44 (0)300 060 2356

email address

enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

responsible party role

custodian

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

contact position

Living Seas Manager

organisation name

Dorset Wildlife Trust

email address

Enquiries@derc.org.uk

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2021-05-04

Metadata language

eng