Skomer Marine Conservation Zone ( MCZ ) - Subtidal Algal Assemblages dataset https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=007_NRW_DS101856 In 2015 Skomer Marine Nature Reserve changed designation to Skomer Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (MNR) was designated in 1990. Skomer MNR's algal communities have been identified as being rich and diverse with 241 species of red, green and brown algae recorded. This represents 34% of the British marine flora and 21% of North Atlantic marine flora including two nationally scarce species, five near their limit of distribution, four species with specialised habitat preferences and five deep water algal species. Skomer MNR has been identified as a Criteria B European IPA (important plant area) for marine algae. The area has a wide range of habitats, including excellent examples of algal communities on bedrock, boulders and cobbles. It has a very high diversity of algae with over 240 species recorded. Rare or threatened species include: Atractophora hypnoides, Sphacelaria mirabilis, Hydrolithon cruciatum and Hinksia ovata. In situ recording and collection is used to survey the algae at various habitats around the Reserve. A herbarium is kept for all notable species found. Methods have varied from year to year. The whole project was reviewed in 2007. There were numerous aims for this project and data capture. 1. To monitor temporal change in algal communities; 2. To monitor algal species of recognised importance; 3. To investigate species diversity using taxonomic distinctness analysis; 4. To establish a monitoring protocol for the future that is both achievable and worthwhile. 20071231