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Metadata: 2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh MPA benthic camera and grab survey
Abstract:
The aim of this benthic survey in Loch Alsh, run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH from the 26th-29th September 2015, was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats within the Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Marine Protected Area (MPA). Dropdown video drifts at 49 stations was one of the methods used to achieve this, using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1415A). This survey also contributed to a monitoring programme (of management effectiveness) of refining the distribution of Habitats Directive Annex 1 features adjacent to the partially overlapping Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and to a study of the distribution of protected features within the MPA. Through the analysis of seabed video, the images were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. 15 grab samples were also collected at 3 stations during this survey period to help assessment of the condition of the seabed habitats within the MPA. Sampling stations were selected to target the Limaria hains bed and burrowed mud habitat. Faunal identification and sediment particle size analysis (PSA) of the grab samples was undertaken by Seastar Survey Ltd, contracted by SNH.
Data holder:
NatureScot (HQ Inverness)
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| Other details | ||
| Internal code | Internally assigned metadata identifier | 11442 |
| 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. | 2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh MPA benthic camera and grab survey |
| 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. | 7dbaca0bf509cebdbdc42c45fee55aed |
| Resource Identifier | This is the code assigned by the data owner. | GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000303-MRSNH03000000021-LDLA |
| 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 | 2015-09-26 |
| End date | This describes the date the resource ends. This may only be the year if month and day are not known | 2015-09-29 |
| Spatial resolution | This describes the spatial resolution of the dataset or the spatial limitations of the service. | 300 |
| 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 aim of this benthic survey in Loch Alsh, run by SNH and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) for SNH from the 26th-29th September 2015, was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the species and habitats within the Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Marine Protected Area (MPA). Dropdown video drifts at 49 stations was one of the methods used to achieve this, using MSS vessel MRV Alba na Mara (cruise 1415A). This survey also contributed to a monitoring programme (of management effectiveness) of refining the distribution of Habitats Directive Annex 1 features adjacent to the partially overlapping Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and to a study of the distribution of protected features within the MPA. Through the analysis of seabed video, the images were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. 15 grab samples were also collected at 3 stations during this survey period to help assessment of the condition of the seabed habitats within the MPA. Sampling stations were selected to target the Limaria hains bed and burrowed mud habitat. Faunal identification and sediment particle size analysis (PSA) of the grab samples was undertaken by Seastar Survey Ltd, contracted by SNH. |
| Lineage | Lineage includes the background information, history of the sources of data, data quality statements and methods. | This subtidal seabed data was collected during a research cruise by SNH and MSS on board the MRV Alba na Mara. Fifteen grab samples were collected throughout the lochs using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Sampling locations were selected to target the Limaria hains bed and burrowed mud habitat in Loch Alsh, although some stations were relocated due to the presence of creels. Three additional stations were also grab sampled solely for the purpose of ascertaining the presence or absence of L. hains and to ground truth the video footage collected over the same survey area, so that the boundary of the flame shell bed could be defined more accurately (these additional samples were discarded after assessment and no further analysis was conducted). For all other grab samples, a subsample was removed for separate particle size analysis (PSA) and stored in a plastic bag before being frozen. The remainder of the infaunal sample was passed through a 1mm mesh sieve, and the residue retained and fixed using a borax buffered formalin. Laboratory methodologies were undertaken in line with NMBAQC Scheme guidelines. Identification of infaunal samples was to the lowest possible taxonomic level (e.g. species). The sediment type derived from PSA and the characteristic species identified from each sample were used to characterize the biotope for each grab station, according to the Marine Biotope Classification of Britain and Ireland. Video images were obtained from 49 drop-down video drifts. The video frame carried a laser scaling system and the facility to take digital still photographs at intervals. A high definition video camera was employed in combination with a lower resolution navigation camera. The video overlay display on the SD camera provided date, time, and position data along runs. Depth details were provided for the start and end of the runs. Analysis of the video footage was undertaken to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Biotopes were allocated based on the biological and physical attributes. SNH contracted Dr Colin Moore to analyse the underwater video footage from this survey and Seastar Survey Ltd. to undertake faunal analysis and PSA of the samples from this survey. |
| Additional information | This describes relevant references to the data e.g. reports, articles, websites plus other useful information not captured elsewhere. | Axelsson, M., O Dell, J. and Dewey, S. 2017. Infaunal and PSA analyses of benthic samples collected from South Arran MPA, Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh MPA and Southern Trench MPA proposal. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 946; Moore, C.G. 2017. Biological analyses of underwater video from ongoing monitoring and research cruises in Lochs Sunart, Etive and Alsh, sea lochs off South Skye, the Sounds of Barra and Arisaig and around the Southern Trench. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Repor |
| 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 | NDGO0005 | |
| Keyword title | data.gov.uk | |
| Keyword | 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 | 57.2858 |
| East | The eastern-most limit of the data resource in decimal degrees | -5.589 |
| South | The southern-most limit of the data resource in decimal degrees | 57.2513 |
| West | The western-most limit of the data resource in decimal degrees | -5.7088 |
| Regional sea | Minches and Western Scotland | |
| 43E4 | ||
| 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 | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters | |
| Individual name | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) | |
| Position name | Data Manager | |
| Phone | 01463 725000 | |
| data_supply@nature.scot | ||
| Role | The originator is the person or organisation who created, collected or produced the resource. | originator |
| Organisation name | Scottish Government | |
| Individual name | Marine Directorate Scotland | |
| Position name | (formally Marine Science Scotland) | |
| Phone | +44 (0)131 556 8400 | |
| marinescotland@gov.scot | ||
| 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 use in navigation. 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. |
| 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 restrictions 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 | Geographic Information System (shapefiles) | |
| Format in which digital data can be provided for transfer | Image (various) | |
| 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. | 2017-12-31 |
| Harvest date | The date which this record has been (re)harvested from the provider. | 2026-04-12 |
| 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 |