0a173faa174f3cd56c78cfdf78d449d3 English dataset NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-10 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Paible, North Uist sediment flats site condition monitoring and biotope mapping survey 2016-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000292-MRSNH03000000017-LP Marine Recorder NS-000292 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this study was to carry out site condition monitoring (SCM) of the mudflat feature within Loch Paible and biotope mapping of the sedimentary flats. SCM was inaugurated at this site in 2004, which provided a baseline for the current study. The principle aims were to: (1) identify any deterioration in the condition of the mudflat feature; and (2) to form a judgement on its current condition. The approach taken to achieve this aim was to resurvey two representative, relocatable transects established in 2004. 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 2025-06-10 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-06-10 revision Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2021-09-28 revision Habitat characterisation Habitat extent SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision Marine Environment Monitoring Global Change Master Directory Science Keywords V5 2006-08-31 revision otherRestrictions 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; additionally its re-use and dissemination is permissible under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner. otherRestrictions no restrictions to public access 200 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment -7.4980 -7.4820 57.5840 57.5950 SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation North Atlantic Ocean Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2021-01-06 creation Minches and Western Scotland ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 44E2 2015-07-01 2015-07-02 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Moore, C.G., Harries, D.B., Brash, J. & Tulbure, K.W. 2016. 2015 site condition monitoring survey and biotope mapping of the intertidal sediment flats of Loch Paible, North Uist (Balranald Bog and Loch nam Feithean SSSI). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 922. Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Geographic Information System shapefiles Image dataset MEDIN data guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos 2011-01-28 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 The Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) methodology of this survey followed that employed in the 2004 baseline survey. Two representative, relocatable transects established in 2004 were re-surveyed with a total of 6 stations, representing perceived different habitat zones. Transects were relocated using dGPS. Zone boundaries from 2004 were also relocated and marked, as were any perceived changes in these boundaries. The vertical height of stations and zone boundaries was determined relative to the permanent transect marker at the head of the transect using a surveyor’s level. As the transect markers had been leveled to the water's edge in 2004, all heights could be expressed in relation to chart datum. The surveyor’s level was also employed to measure the horizontal distances of stations and boundaries from the transect marker. Still photos were taken at many of these sites and video footage at a few. Biotope mapping of the sediment flats was also carried out by supplementing the SCM data by walking over the area recording the nature of the substratum and conspicuous biota observed in the form of target notes at fixed positions. Note: Although the notified sediment flat feature for the Balranald Bog and Loch nam Feithean SSSI is mudflats, a mudflat biotope graded into a sandflat biotope along one of the transects and so both habitat types were considered to fall within the remit of this 2015 survey work. At each station, eight cores of 10.3 cm diameter and 15 cm depth were taken for analysis of the infauna, along with a single core of 3.4 cm diameter and 20 cm depth for particle size analysis (PSA). The eight infaunal cores were pooled in a single bucket and sieved on site using a 1 mm mesh. These samples were preserved in 5% buffered formalin in seawater until analysis. The PSA samples were transferred from the core to labelled bottles and kept in these until analysis. At one station on each transect four replicate samples for infaunal analysis were taken, the stations being the same as those similarly selected for the baseline survey in 2004. Each sample consisted of eight pooled cores, as above. At each station a record was made of any surficial biota by photographing five replicate, randomly placed 0.25 m2 quadrats, and by 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 (e.g. larger bivalves and polychaetes), and estimates of their density made using the SACFOR semi-quantitative scale. Specimens from this dig-over were noted and some retained for confirmation of identity. The macrobenthos from the core samples was sorted, identified and counted by Fugro EMU Ltd. (Edinburgh). All other faunalk samples were processed by Colin Moore.