3c40ad819ae0815642c1bebec473a19f English dataset 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 2007 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) broad-scale mapping and development of site condition monitoring protocols at five west coast of Scotland intertidal sites 2009-01-01 publication MRSNH00700000005 Marine Recorder NS-000111 NatureScot project ID Many of the notified marine features of SSSI lie outwith the current suite of marine SAC and have yet to be subject to marine condition monitoring assessments. The principal aim of this research was to formulate cost-effective and pragmatic solutions to the future monitoring of SSSI along with other intertidal marine features of interest that would meet the requirements of agreed monitoring standards. Specific objectives of the research were to: • derive biotope maps of each site to show the location of features, biotopes and species of interest; • establish an appropriate baseline biological dataset that will permit an assessment of current site condition, and be a basis for comparison with future monitoring surveys; • develop simple cost-effective survey methods and guidance that could be used in the future by non-specialist staff, and which would be suitable for each of the study sites and any specific features therein; • in addition to the designated features within each site, develop guidance for monitoring egg wrack Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii and beds of eel grass Zostera noltii and Zostera angustifolia. Five SSSI and one SAC with marine interest features were chosen by SNH for study; these were Taynish Woods SSSI, Ulva, Danna and the McCormaig Isles SSSI, Mòine Mhór SAC, Bridgend Flats SSSI, Gruinart Flats SSSI and Gribun Shore and Crags SSSI. These sites covered a wide range of intertidal features for which sites around Scotland have been notified or designated. Survey work was undertaken in August 2007, with a short break due to movement restrictions imposed on agricultural land during the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. 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 ERT (Scotland) Ltd Marine Environmental Consultancy dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk 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 SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision otherRestrictions no restrictions to public access 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/ English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -6.668701171875 -4.932861328125 55.592315447733 56.766272835849 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 2007-08-07 2007-08-28 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision littoral ERT (Scotland) Ltd, (2009). Baseline Mapping and Development of Monitoring Protocols for Marine Features Within Five Sites of Special Scientific Interest and One Special Area of Conservation on the West Coast of Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 336. Documents Published report Database Marine Recorder dataset 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 3.3 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES A number of procedures were put in place prior to the survey to help ensure that the data obtained were of a suitable quality for mapping and monitoring requirements. Key elements known to cause difficulties in marine field surveys being conducted by multiple individuals over several locations were identified and then checks were put in place to reduce the risk of surveyor error. As two teams operated independently on the shore each day, it was important to ensure data were recorded consistently. A training day was scheduled into the beginning of the survey to run through the methods being used and the standard forms used to ensure the necessary records were obtained from each sample location. Prior to each new method being used, the entire survey team undertook each task to ensure consistency of approach. Positions were recorded in the field using OSGB36 National Grid from WAAS enabled Garmin Etrex GPS. Daily quality checking was undertaken with survey points uploaded in to MapSource software and plotted on an electronic map each evening. Biotopes were recorded according to Connor et al. (2004) and species to Howson & Picton (1997). When species abundance was recorded, numbers per unit area and / or percentage cover estimates were made in the field. These were then converted to the semi-quantitative SACFOR indices by the MNCR abundance scales (Appendix 1). Biotopes were identified, discussed and agreed by both survey teams each evening. Master spreadsheet logs for sample points, quadrats, species, and photographs were kept and updated daily. All field maps were copied onto neat maps at the end of each day, or prior to field work commencing on the following day. Before moving onto the next study area a check was made by the survey leader to ensure record sheets had been completed for each day and the master logs updated. Post survey, the entire data series was reviewed and any gaps and errors were corrected prior to raw data provision to SNH. Report production and data management was controlled by ERT’s quality management system under ISO 9001:2000.