2010 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) North Westray seabed camera survey
The purpose of this benthic survey off North Westray was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs), and to ground-truth multibeam data. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by MSS for MSS on the 10th of September 2010 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 1 site in an area of rapid currents in Westray Firth. The images, analysed under SNH contract by Dr Colin Moore, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000138-MRSNH01800000007-NW
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Moore, C. G. and Roberts, J. M. (2011). An assessment of the conservation importance of species and habitats identified during a series of recent research cruises around Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 446.
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-03-16
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-2.8981
-2.8673
59.1997
59.1778
creation
2009-06-18
Scottish Continental Shelf
creation
2009-05-01
47E7
creation
1954-01-01
North Atlantic Ocean
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2010-09-10
2010-09-10
publication
2011-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from Westray Firth, North Westray, was collected by MSS on the 10th September 2010. Video images were obtained from a drop-down video camera system deployed just above the seabed. The camera frame also carried a digital stills camera, which took vertically orientated photographs of the seabed at one minute intervals. Positional date was only available for the start and end of the run. Depth data were not supplied, and so approximate values were derived from plots of the positions of the starts and ends of runs on digital Admirality charts. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Dr Colin Moore, 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. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence 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 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 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
2019-10-14