Many of the notified marine features of SSSI lie outwith the current suite of marine SAC and have yet to be subject to marine condition monitoring assessments. The principal aim of this research was to formulate cost-effective and pragmatic solutions to the future monitoring of SSSI along with other intertidal marine features of interest that would meet the requirements of agreed monitoring standards. Specific objectives of the research were to:
• derive biotope maps of each site to show the location of features, biotopes and species
of interest;
• establish an appropriate baseline biological dataset that will permit an assessment of
current site condition, and be a basis for comparison with future monitoring surveys;
• develop simple cost-effective survey methods and guidance that could be used in the
future by non-specialist staff, and which would be suitable for each of the study sites
and any specific features therein;
• in addition to the designated features within each site, develop guidance for monitoring
egg wrack Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii and beds of eel grass Zostera noltii
and Zostera angustifolia.
Five SSSI and one SAC with marine interest features were chosen by SNH for study; these were Taynish Woods SSSI, Ulva, Danna and the McCormaig Isles SSSI, Mòine Mhór SAC, Bridgend Flats SSSI, Gruinart Flats SSSI and Gribun Shore and Crags SSSI. These sites covered a wide range of intertidal features for which sites around Scotland have been notified or designated. Survey work was undertaken in August 2007, with a short break due to movement restrictions imposed on agricultural land during the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.
