a9cf38c7a2ea98e21bb42079ca56af9c English dataset bf899ac3c8b3490706ab4be11c50573a NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-03 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2003 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Kentra Bay, Lochaber Site Condition Monitoring survey of intertidal mud and sandflats features 2004-03-03 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000087-MRSNH01100000008-KB Marine Recorder NS-000087 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this study was to initiate site condition monitoring (SCM) of the intertidal sediment flats of Kentra Bay and Moss SSSI, in order to establish a baseline biological dataset against which any future change in the condition of features for which the SSSI was established could be assessed. In addition, the data should also allow judgement to be made as to the current condition of these habitats. The approach taken to achieve these objectives was to establish a series of 16 relocatable stations along 5 transects, representing identifiable zones that reflect the biological and environmental diversity of the sediment flats in the SSSI. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters Data Manager 01463 725000 data_supply@nature.scot owner NatureScot (HQ Inverness) NatureScot Data Manager data_supply@nature.scot custodian Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters Data Manager 01463 725000 data_supply@nature.scot originator Esther Hughes Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH) Data Manager 01752 633102 dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk distributor notPlanned Marine Environmental Data and Information Network MEDIN metadata record availability 2025-06-03 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-06-03 revision Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2021-09-28 revision Habitat characterisation Habitat extent Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision otherRestrictions Not for navigational use; SNH copyright data which is available for re-use under government licence terms: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ otherRestrictions no restrictions to public access 150 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -5.8922 -5.8225 56.7359 56.7704 SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2021-01-06 creation Minches and Western Scotland ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 42E4 ICES Statistical Areas 2021-01-06 creation VIa 2003-08-28 2003-08-31 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision littoral Lyndon, A.R., Moore, C.G., Mair, J.M.D. and Edwards, D.C.B. (2004). Site condition monitoring survey of intertidal mud and sandflats in Kentra Bay, Lochaber, August 2003. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 074 (ROAME No. F02AA409) Documents Published report Image jpeg Database Marine Recorder dataset MEDIN data guideline for recording and archiving of digital images 2023-05-11 publication See the referenced specification true MEDIN data guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos 2011-01-28 publication See the referenced specification true MEDIN data guideline for video surveys of species and benthos 2018-01-23 publication See the referenced specification true Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 publication Sampling for the SCM survey took place at a series of relocatable stations along transects that chosen to represent good geographical coverage, the likely spectrum of physico-chemical conditions and range of biotopes to reflect the biological and environmental diversity of the sediment flats in the SSSI. The transects (KA to KE), which included a total of 16 sample stations, were laid out perpendicular to the shore and to low water channels at the seaward end. Each station lay within a perceived habitat zone identified from the physical appearance and biological surface features. Station heights were measured with respect to permanent transect markers above the shore and with respect to chart datum. Horizontal distances from the transect markers were also measured, allowing the production of transect profiles. The positions of zone boundaries were recorded and all transects and stations had their positions fixed by hand-held differential GPS using WGS84 datum. The physicochemical characteristics of the stations were assessed by measurement of sediment particle size, depth of the anaerobic layer and noting of the sediment’s physical appearance. The biotic composition was assessed through analysis of sediment cores, digging over 1m2 to assess presence of larger species and abundance estimation of casts and other conspicuous surface signs of the presence of larger infauna. Replicate photo quadrats were also taken at each station, as well as video footage of both the stations and the transect. At each station, 8 cores of 10.3 cm diameter and 15 cm depth were taken for analysis of macrofauna, along with a single core of 3.4cm diameter and 20 cm depth for particle size anlaysis. The macrofaunal cores from each station were pooled and sieved through a 1 mm sieve. At one station along each transect an additional 3 replicate sets of 8 pooled cores were taken and treated as above. A record of any surfical biota was made by photographing five replicate randomly placed 0.25 m2 quadrats and noting incidental visual records. In addition, approximately 1 m2 of sediment was dug-over using a spade, to a depth of about 30 cm to check for the presence of any infauna which might not have been effectively sampled by the cores and estimates of their density made using the SACFOR scale. The macrobenthos from the core samples were sorted, identified and counted by Sue Hamilton (Edinburgh). All other faunal samples were processed by Colin Moore.