49ac33205d2813a1eb6f8987cb5407b6 English dataset bfbc0bbe648f7dd06ab776cb8f06eaba 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 2009 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Laxford Site Condition Monitoring baseline survey of littoral and sublittoral reefs and inlet and bay features 2010-01-01 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000121-MRSNH01800000002-LL Marine Recorder NS-000121 NatureScot project ID The purpose of this survey was to initiate SCM of the qualifying features littoral and sublittoral 'reefs' and 'large shallow inlets and bays' within the Loch Laxford SAC. This aim of this work was to establish a baseline biological dataset that would: (1) facilitate the assessment of the favourable condition status of the habitats in the future; and (2) to allow a judgement to be formed on the current condition of these habitats. This work consisted of an extensive drop-down video drift survey at 135 sites, supplementary infaunal grab sampling of sediments at 30 sites, and a detailed reef and mixed reef/sediment habitat survey along 11 relocatable transects. Additionally, maerl bed dive transect surveys were performed at 3 maerl bed sites and the distribution of the unattached form of knotted wrack and beds of mussel was mapped. 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 M. Axelsson SeaStar Survey info@seastarsurvey.co.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 2025-06-10 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; 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; SNH copyright data - its re-use and dissemination is permissible under Open Government Licence terms: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner. otherRestrictions No restrictionas to public access 250 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -5.1500 -5.0000 58.3660 58.4330 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 45E4 2009-08-02 2009-09-03 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision littoral Moore, C. G., Harries (et al), (2010). The establishment of site condition monitoring of the marine features of Loch Laxford Special Area of Conservation. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 378 (ROAME No. F05AC701) Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Image Movie dataset 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 This data was collected by SNH between the 2nd - 6th August 2009, from the vessel RV Serpula. This SCM survey was conducted using a combination of methods, including extensive drop-down video of sublittoral reef and sediment biotopes at 135 sites, infaunal grab sampling at 30 sites and 11 relocatable transects to survey shore and nearshore reef and sediment biotopes. Surveys were also performed at 3 maerl sites. DDV and Diver Video Survey: The SAC was divided into six sectors, with 120 DDV sites allocated in proportion to area. The 2001 broadscale biotope map was used inform locations for examination in this survey, additional sites were also positioned within each sector to ensure good geographical spread and coverage of the range of biotopes, depths, exposure, and anthropogenic activities in the area. Video images were collected using a Panasonic NV-GS150 3 chip digital video camera. The video was recorded on a MiniDV tape. The camera was deployed for approximately 2-3 minutes from a drifting vessel at each station. positional and time/depth data were recorded at each station. 66 dive video sites were selected for examination from the 2001 broadscale survey sites. A further 3 sites were examined by spot dives on the 18th August 2009. At each site video images of the habitat were collected by one diver and biota present and substrate details were recorded by a second diver. On September 3rd 2009 a further 12 DDV sites (maerl bed adjacent to a fish farm) were surveyed by SNH on board the RIB Aphrodite, using a similar methodology to the main DDV survey. Video material was processed in a laboratory, with the SACFOR scale of abundance employed where possible during the analysis to quantify the species and substrate present. Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated. Stations were also characterized as 'reef', 'non-reef'. or 'mixed' habitats based on the presence of reef biotopes or a mixture of reef and non-reef biotopes. Infaunal Grab: Grab survey carried out from the RV Serpula from 5th-7th August 2009 to provide information on the distribution and diversity of sediment biotopes. 21 sites were surveyed - the same sites as those visited in 2001 broadscale mapping survey. An additional 7 sites were sampled in 2009, making a total of 30 sites. These 30 sites were also surveyed in the video survey to facilitate biotope identification. A single 0.1m2 Van Veen grab sample was taken at each station. A 150ml subsample was taken from each grab for PSA analysis in the laboratory, and the remainder passed through a 1mm mesh. At 5 sites (representing a broad range of sediment types) the sediment was passed through a 0.5 mm sieve to enable comparisons with the 2001 survey. At one site, an additional macrobenthic sample was taken by diver. This consisted of 8 pooled 10.3 cm cores, sieved using a 1mm mesh. Macrobenthos samples were processed in the laboratory and identified to species where possible and counted. Transect Survey: Nine reef and mixed reef/sediment transects were established (with one relocation due to adverse conditions). These transects represented a wide geographical and exposure range, allowing examination of the outer, middle, and inner loch and also comparison with previous data. The transect route at each site was marked by a 200m graduated line attached to the transect. The transect extended from the shore to the subtidal, where scuba divers laid it along the seabed. A band 2m either side of the tape was surveyed intertidally and subtidally using MNCR Phase 2 survey methodology. Within each zone (defined in terms of differences in the composition of biological community and/or substrate type) records were taken of biota and substrate type using the MNCR SACFOR scale of abundance. Video and still imagery were used to make representative visual recordings of the transect zones and biota. Maerl bed transect surveys were carried out by divers at the same three sites examined in the 2009 baseline survey. A 25m tape transect line was marked out and a 2m band either side of the tape was surveyed by divers using MNCR Phase 2 methodology. Presence and estimates of abundance of conspicuous biota were noted by two surveyors. Video footage and still photographs were collected to retain a visual record of the nature of the habitat and community for the purpose of supplementary material to aid habitat description. based on DDV results, 4 maerl sites were selected for examination. 4 replicate core samples were taken in areas of live maerl using a 10.3 diameter corer to a depth of 20cm. An additional 20cm sediment core of 5cm diameter was taken for PSA.