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Metadata: 2009 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Laxford Site Condition Monitoring baseline survey of littoral and sublittoral reefs and inlet and bay features
Abstract:
The purpose of this survey was to initiate SCM of the qualifying features littoral and sublittoral 'reefs' and 'large shallow inlets and bays' within the Loch Laxford SAC. This aim of this work was to establish a baseline biological dataset that would: (1) facilitate the assessment of the favourable condition status of the habitats in the future; and (2) to allow a judgement to be formed on the current condition of these habitats. This work consisted of an extensive drop-down video drift survey at 135 sites, supplementary infaunal grab sampling of sediments at 30 sites, and a detailed reef and mixed reef/sediment habitat survey along 11 relocatable transects. Additionally, maerl bed dive transect surveys were performed at 3 maerl bed sites and the distribution of the unattached form of knotted wrack and beds of mussel was mapped.
Data holder:
NatureScot (HQ Inverness)
Click on the red button for resource contact details:
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| Other details | ||
| Internal code | Internally assigned metadata identifier | 11351 |
| Title | The title is used to provide a brief and precise description of the dataset such as 'Date', 'Originating organisation/programme', 'Location' and 'Type of survey'. All acronyms and abbreviations should be reproduced in full. | 2009 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Laxford Site Condition Monitoring baseline survey of littoral and sublittoral reefs and inlet and bay features |
| File Identifier | The File Identifier is a code, preferably a GUID, that is globally unique and remains with the same metadata record even if the record is edited or transferred between portals or tools. | 49ac33205d2813a1eb6f8987cb5407b6 |
| Resource Identifier | This is the code assigned by the data owner. | GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000121-MRSNH01800000002-LL |
| Resource type | The resource type will likely be a dataset but could also be a series (collection of datasets with a common specification) or a service. | dataset |
| Start date | This describes the date the resource starts. This may only be the year if month and day are not known | 2009-08-02 |
| End date | This describes the date the resource ends. This may only be the year if month and day are not known | 2009-09-03 |
| Spatial resolution | This describes the spatial resolution of the dataset or the spatial limitations of the service. | 250 |
| Spatial resolution unit | This describes the unit of spatial resolution which for distance must be metres. | urn:ogc:def:uom:EPSG::9001 |
| Frequency of updates | This describes the frequency with which the resource is modified or updated i.e. a monitoring programme that samples once per year has a frequency that is described as 'annually'. | notPlanned |
| Abstract | The abstract provides a clear and brief statement of the content of the resource. | The purpose of this survey was to initiate SCM of the qualifying features littoral and sublittoral 'reefs' and 'large shallow inlets and bays' within the Loch Laxford SAC. This aim of this work was to establish a baseline biological dataset that would: (1) facilitate the assessment of the favourable condition status of the habitats in the future; and (2) to allow a judgement to be formed on the current condition of these habitats. This work consisted of an extensive drop-down video drift survey at 135 sites, supplementary infaunal grab sampling of sediments at 30 sites, and a detailed reef and mixed reef/sediment habitat survey along 11 relocatable transects. Additionally, maerl bed dive transect surveys were performed at 3 maerl bed sites and the distribution of the unattached form of knotted wrack and beds of mussel was mapped. |
| Lineage | Lineage includes the background information, history of the sources of data, data quality statements and methods. | This data was collected by SNH between the 2nd - 6th August 2009, from the vessel RV Serpula. This SCM survey was conducted using a combination of methods, including extensive drop-down video of sublittoral reef and sediment biotopes at 135 sites, infaunal grab sampling at 30 sites and 11 relocatable transects to survey shore and nearshore reef and sediment biotopes. Surveys were also performed at 3 maerl sites. DDV and Diver Video Survey: The SAC was divided into six sectors, with 120 DDV sites allocated in proportion to area. The 2001 broadscale biotope map was used inform locations for examination in this survey, additional sites were also positioned within each sector to ensure good geographical spread and coverage of the range of biotopes, depths, exposure, and anthropogenic activities in the area. Video images were collected using a Panasonic NV-GS150 3 chip digital video camera. The video was recorded on a MiniDV tape. The camera was deployed for approximately 2-3 minutes from a drifting vessel at each station. positional and time/depth data were recorded at each station. 66 dive video sites were selected for examination from the 2001 broadscale survey sites. A further 3 sites were examined by spot dives on the 18th August 2009. At each site video images of the habitat were collected by one diver and biota present and substrate details were recorded by a second diver. On September 3rd 2009 a further 12 DDV sites (maerl bed adjacent to a fish farm) were surveyed by SNH on board the RIB Aphrodite, using a similar methodology to the main DDV survey. Video material was processed in a laboratory, with the SACFOR scale of abundance employed where possible during the analysis to quantify the species and substrate present. Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated. Stations were also characterized as 'reef', 'non-reef'. or 'mixed' habitats based on the presence of reef biotopes or a mixture of reef and non-reef biotopes. Infaunal Grab: Grab survey carried out from the RV Serpula from 5th-7th August 2009 to provide information on the distribution and diversity of sediment biotopes. 21 sites were surveyed - the same sites as those visited in 2001 broadscale mapping survey. An additional 7 sites were sampled in 2009, making a total of 30 sites. These 30 sites were also surveyed in the video survey to facilitate biotope identification. A single 0.1m2 Van Veen grab sample was taken at each station. A 150ml subsample was taken from each grab for PSA analysis in the laboratory, and the remainder passed through a 1mm mesh. At 5 sites (representing a broad range of sediment types) the sediment was passed through a 0.5 mm sieve to enable comparisons with the 2001 survey. At one site, an additional macrobenthic sample was taken by diver. This consisted of 8 pooled 10.3 cm cores, sieved using a 1mm mesh. Macrobenthos samples were processed in the laboratory and identified to species where possible and counted. Transect Survey: Nine reef and mixed reef/sediment transects were established (with one relocation due to adverse conditions). These transects represented a wide geographical and exposure range, allowing examination of the outer, middle, and inner loch and also comparison with previous data. The transect route at each site was marked by a 200m graduated line attached to the transect. The transect extended from the shore to the subtidal, where scuba divers laid it along the seabed. A band 2m either side of the tape was surveyed intertidally and subtidally using MNCR Phase 2 survey methodology. Within each zone (defined in terms of differences in the composition of biological community and/or substrate type) records were taken of biota and substrate type using the MNCR SACFOR scale of abundance. Video and still imagery were used to make representative visual recordings of the transect zones and biota. Maerl bed transect surveys were carried out by divers at the same three sites examined in the 2009 baseline survey. A 25m tape transect line was marked out and a 2m band either side of the tape was surveyed by divers using MNCR Phase 2 methodology. Presence and estimates of abundance of conspicuous biota were noted by two surveyors. Video footage and still photographs were collected to retain a visual record of the nature of the habitat and community for the purpose of supplementary material to aid habitat description. based on DDV results, 4 maerl sites were selected for examination. 4 replicate core samples were taken in areas of live maerl using a 10.3 diameter corer to a depth of 20cm. An additional 20cm sediment core of 5cm diameter was taken for PSA. |
| Additional information | This describes relevant references to the data e.g. reports, articles, websites plus other useful information not captured elsewhere. | Moore, C. G., Harries (et al), (2010). The establishment of site condition monitoring of the marine features of Loch Laxford Special Area of Conservation. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 378 (ROAME No. F05AC701) |
| Related keywords | ||
| Keyword | General subject area(s) associated with the resource, uses multiple controlled vocabularies | Marine Environmental Data and Information Network |
| General subject area(s) associated with the resource, uses multiple controlled vocabularies | Habitats and biotopes | |
| General subject area(s) associated with the resource, uses multiple controlled vocabularies | Habitat characterisation | |
| General subject area(s) associated with the resource, uses multiple controlled vocabularies | Habitat extent | |
| General subject area(s) associated with the resource, uses multiple controlled vocabularies | Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance | |
| General subject area(s) associated with the resource, uses multiple controlled vocabularies | Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts | |
| Geographical coverage | ||
| North | The northern-most limit of the data resource in decimal degrees | 58.433 |
| East | The eastern-most limit of the data resource in decimal degrees | -5 |
| South | The southern-most limit of the data resource in decimal degrees | 58.366 |
| West | The western-most limit of the data resource in decimal degrees | -5.15 |
| Regional sea | Minches and Western Scotland | |
| 45E4 | ||
| Responsible organisations | ||
| Role | The point of contact is person or organisation with responsibility for the creation and maintenance of the metadata for the resource. | pointOfContact |
| Organisation name | NatureScot (HQ Inverness) | |
| data_supply@nature.scot | ||
| Role | The owner is the person or organisation that owns the resource. | owner |
| Organisation name | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters | |
| Individual name | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) | |
| Position name | Data Manager | |
| Phone | 01463 725000 | |
| data_supply@nature.scot | ||
| Role | The custodian is the person or organisation that accepts responsibility for the resource and ensures appropriate care and maintenance. If a dataset has been lodged with a Data Archive Centre for maintenance then this organisation is be entered here. | custodian |
| Organisation name | NatureScot (HQ Inverness) | |
| Position name | NatureScot Data Manager | |
| data_supply@nature.scot | ||
| Role | The originator is the person or organisation who created, collected or produced the resource. | originator |
| Organisation name | SeaStar Survey | |
| Individual name | M. Axelsson | |
| info@seastarsurvey.co.uk | ||
| Role | The distributor is the person or organisation that distributes the resource. | distributor |
| Organisation name | Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH) | |
| Individual name | Esther Hughes | |
| Position name | Data Manager | |
| Phone | 01752 633102 | |
| dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk | ||
| Dataset constraints | ||
| 20.1 Limitations on Public Access - Access constraints | This states `otherRestrictions` from ISO vocabulary RestrictionCode and is an INSPIRE/GEMINI requirement. | otherRestrictions |
| 20.2 Limitations on Public Access - Other constraints | This states any limitations on access to the data. Multiple occurences are allowed here. One entry shall be from the INSPIRE Metadata registry and the other free text should be part of the resource `Have specific limitations`. | 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; SNH copyright data - its re-use and dissemination is permissible under Open Government Licence terms: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner. |
| 21.1 Conditions for Access and Use - Use constraints | This states `otherRestrictions` from ISO vocabulary RestrictionCode and is an INSPIRE/GEMINI requirement. | otherRestrictions |
| 21.2 Conditions for Access and Use - Other constraints | This states any constraints on use of the data. Multiple conditions can be recorded for different parts of the data resource. If no conditions apply, then `No condtions apply` is recorded. This uses free text. | No restrictionas to public access |
| Available data formats | ||
| Data format | Format in which digital data can be provided for transfer | Database (Marine Recorder) |
| Format in which digital data can be provided for transfer | Documents (Published report) | |
| Format in which digital data can be provided for transfer | Image | |
| Format in which digital data can be provided for transfer | Movie | |
| Version info | ||
| Date of publication | The publication date of the resource or if previously unpublished the date that the resource was made publicly available via the MEDIN network. | 2010-01-01 |
| Harvest date | The date which this record has been (re)harvested from the provider. | 2026-04-19 |
| Metadata date | The date when the content of this metadata record was last updated. | 2025-06-10 |
| Metadata standard name | The name of the metadata standard used to create this metadata | MEDIN |
| Metadata standard version | The version of the MEDIN Discovery Metadata Standard used to create the metadata record | 3.1.2 |
| Metadata parent | bfbc0bbe648f7dd06ab776cb8f06eaba | |