a016830cb1bb5cb4d21c8c5322e2b8db English dataset cd3509f475a6c594d3dcbda1a45a21d6 NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-06-09 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision WGS 84 2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Moidart, Lochaber Site Check survey of intertidal sediment flats 2015-01-01 publication GB-SCT-SNH-CMEU-000350-LMSW MRSNH03000000004 Marine Recorder NS-000350 NatureScot project ID The main purpose of this study was to carry out a Site Check survey (rapid assessment technique - brief form of site condition monitoring) of the intertidal sediment flats of Loch Moidart and Shiel Woods SAC, following the inauguration of site condition monitoring in 2003, to facilitate assessment of the condition of the sediment flat habitats. Site Check of the sediment flats involved checking the presence and sequence of biotopes along the five transects surveyed in 2003. This involved recording data at the 16 relocatable stations along each transect. The sediment type and depth of the anaerobic layer was recorded and the habitat photographed using stills and video cameras. Biota was assessed by digging over areas of sediment and recording abundance recorded on the SACFOR scale. A subsidiary aim of the survey work was to produce a biotope map of the sediment flats. This involved supplementing the Site Check data by walking over the area recording the nature of the substratum and conspicuous biota observed. 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 2025-06-09 revision Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2021-09-28 revision Fauna abundance per unit area of the bed Habitat characterisation Habitat extent Seabed photography SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision otherRestrictions Not to be used for navigation. This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences that SNH consider as sensititive; 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 permissable under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner. otherRestrictions no restrictions to public access 150 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment geoscientificInformation oceans -5.8156 -5.7476 56.7773 56.7968 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 42E4 ICES Statistical Areas 2021-01-06 creation VIa 2014-08-08 2014-08-11 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision littoral Harries, D.B., Moore, C.G., Cook, R.L. & Brash, J. 2015. 2014 site check survey and biotope mapping of the intertidal sediment flats of the Loch Moidart and Shiel Woods SAC. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 809 Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Image Geographic Information System shapefiles 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 Data collection for the Site Check survey took place at a series of relocatable stations along transects, surveyed in 2003, that reflected the biological and environmental diversity of the intertidal sediment flats in the SAC. The 5 transects (MA to ME), which included a total of 16 sample stations, were laid out perpendicular to the shore and to low water channels at the seaward end. Each station lay within a perceived habitat zone identified from the physical appearance and biological surface features. The positions of both stations and zone boundaries were recorded. At each station, a record of any surfical biota was made by photographing five replicate randomly placed 0.25 m2 quadrats and 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 conspicuous infauna and estimates of their density made using the SACFOR scale. Smaller infauna was similarly recorded but sampled by sieving, using a 1 mm mesh, an area of sediment of c. 250 cm2. All transects and stations had their positions fixed by hand-held differential GPS using WGS84 datum. For biotope mapping of the sediment flats a wireframe map (of putative habitat polygons) with aerial imagery was available in the field on a series of laminated sheets. It was also uploaded to a large-screen, sunlight-readable, differential GPS receiver (Garmin Montana 600). One team of 2 - 3 recorders surveyed the area, largely within three hours either side of low water springs by walking each of the polygons where possible, employing target notes at fixed locations to record the characteristics of the habitat. Where appropriate, descriptions of habitats between target point positions were also recorded, with the surveyors' track continuously recorded by a GPS data logger. Field data collected to aid subsequent biotope identification included physical habitat characteristics, biotic surface features and the infauna revealed by digging over an area of c. 1 m2, with retention of specimens where necessary for laboratory identification. In many cases it was also felt necessary to supplement dig-over material by sieving sediment from an area of c. 250 cm2 using a 1 mm mesh. Field observations were supplemented by still and video photography. The wireframe laminates were used for sketching the distribution of perceived habitats in the field and to aid investigation of conspicuous features on the aerial imagery. In general, biotope ascription to areas was deferred until the results of infaunal analysis were available and, in view of the limited information available at individual target sites, biotopes were assigned to areas, rather than individual sites. The biotope mapping GIS project employed the OSGB 1936 coordinate system and British National Grid projection.