4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313130343633
eng
dataset
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
pointOfContact
2023-09-15
MEDIN Discovery Metadata Standard
Version 2.3.8
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::WGS84
OGP
Surveys of Sea Caves in Welsh Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
Arolygon o ogofau mor yn Ardaloedd Cadwraeth Arbennig Cymru
2002 - CCW/Marine Seen survey of sea caves in Welsh SACs MRCCW3000000001C
2000-01 CCW /Marine Seen survey of sea caves in Welsh SACs JNCCMNCR40000961
2003-04-30
publication
2003-04-30
revision
110463
https://naturalresources.wales
Inventorial survey as a first step for former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), now part of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), to develop sensitivity management and monitoring for submerged or partially submerged caves. Submerged or partially submerged caves are an Annex 1 habitat listed under the Habitats directive. Caves vary in size, from only a few metres to more extensive systems, which may extend hundreds of metres into the rock. There may be tunnels or caverns with one or more entrances, in which vertical and overhanging rock faces provide the principal marine habitat. Sea cave communities vary considerably depending on the structure and extent of the cave system, their degree of submergence and of exposure to sand scour and wave-surge, and their geology. Caves are typically c
olonised by encrusting animal species but may also support shade-tolerant seaweeds near their entrances. Physical conditions, such as inclination, wave surge, scour and shade, change rapidly from cave entrance to the inner parts of a cave, and this often leads to a marked gradation in the communities present.
Surveys were set up to identify a baseline and trial survey methodologies in order to establish surveillance and monitoring programmes for the feature. 24 caves (and tunnels) were described. They include caves that are wholly Intertidal, wholly subtidal and ones with both littoral and sublittoral elements. They range from caves that extend 1-3 meters into the cliff to ones that extend up to 100 meters into the cliff. Inventorial survey as a first step for CCW to develop sensitivity management and monitoring for submerged or partially submerged caves. 24 caves across Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Cardigan Bay SAC, Pen Llyn a'r Sarnau SAC and Menai Strait and Colwyn Bay SAC. All measurements were taken to a standard protocol as described in the CCW Marine
Monitoring Report no. 6. Specimens were fixed and preserved.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
custodian
CCW Marine Monitoring Team
01248 385500
Countryside Council for Wales
Maes y Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
originator
MarineSeen
07968 486256
Estuary Cottage
SA71 5RN
fbunker@marineseen.com
originator
notPlanned
Database
Habitats and biotopes
GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
2023-09-16
publication
Habitat extent
Habitat characterisation
SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary
2011-03-25
publication
Marine Environmental Data and Information Network
© CNC/NRW 2002 Recipients may only re-use sensitive data in strict confidence under the terms of an appropriate NRW Licence. No publication or dissemination is permitted, except if sensitive records are removed in advance, or shown only at a coarser scale.
otherRestrictions
Part of this dataset is sensitive and restricted. The sensitive data is as follows; Ostrea edulis. Sensitive data must be kept confidential; general release is not permitted due to risk of harm to the environment or third parties. Sensitive data may only be released under an appropriate NRW Licence. Requests should be referred to NRW's Access to Information Officer. Data may be released freely if the sensitive records are removed in advance, or shown only at a coarser scale.
eng
biota
ISO3166 Countries
2023-09-16
publication
Wales (WLS)
SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages
2010-05-18
publication
benthic boundary layer
-5.51358164
-3.67258647
51.45468862
53.43932036
2000-09-28
2002-07-26
+12
-9.5
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
distributor
dataset
Phase 2 survey methods were used to describe habitats and communities. Measurements were taken and diagrams produced to show approximate dimensions of the caves and the distribution of the biotopes within them. The caves were marked with pitons or eye bolts to facilitate future monitoring programmes. Cave location was determined by GPS. Video footage was taken in selected caves.