cc7a7700a9d668ba21fc773f567df8c2 English dataset 20187c0e-6f66-4040-8946-7f23a3ee02a6 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 2001 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Sunart sublittoral habitats joint broad-scale mapping survey 2004-01-01 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000069-MRSNH00100000004-LS Marine Recorder NS-000069 NatureScot project ID A comprehensive biotope mapping survey of the sublittoral habitats was undertaken in July and August 2001, by a collaborative research group comprising staff from the University of St Andrews, Herriot Watt University and SNH. Rapid broadscale remote acoustic mapping techniques were utilised and "groundtruth" data were collected to enable to interpretation of acoustically classed seafloor maps. Groundtruthing data were collected in the field using a range of sampling techniques including diver-based observations with video and still cameras (20 stations), video imagery collected by remotely operated vehicle (ROV, 52 stations) and grab sampling of sedimentary habitats (16 stations). 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 Colin Moore Colin Moore Consultant c.g.moore84@gmail.com originator 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 Macroalgae and seagrass taxonomy-related counts Sediment grain size parameters Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-09-28 revision 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/ otherRestrictions no restrictions to public access English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment geoscientificInformation oceans -6.0226 -5.4774 56.6011 56.7377 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 2001-07-25 2001-08-04 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Bates, C. R., Moore, C. G., Harries, D. B., Austin, W. and Lyndon, A. R. (2004). Broad scale mapping of sublittoral habitats in Loch Sunart, Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 006 (ROAME No. F01AA401C). Documents Published report Image various 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 Detailed information on data collection and processing can be accessed: Bates, C. R., Moore, C. G., Harries, D. B., Austin, W. and Lyndon, A. R. (2004). Broad scale mapping of sublittoral habitats in Loch Sunart, Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 006 (ROAME No. F01AA401C). Diver survey: MNCR phase II diving surveys were carried out at 20 stations, direct recording being supplemented with diver video at 12 stations. The level of survey quality was set as adequate for both flora and fauna. MNCR survey, site and habitat forms were completed. N.B. it is this MNCR data (20 stations) that is currently present in this Marine Recorder Survey. In order to map the distribution of Limaria hians in the Laudale Narrows area, abundance was assessed at 21 stations. These were initially marked with buoyed shot lines and positions fixed. At each station abundance was assessed by a diver using a 0.25m2 quadrat with a grid of cross strings at 5cm intervals. The diver recorded the number of string intersections (from a toal of 16) that lay immediately above L. hians nest material. At each station 10 replicate measures were made from randomly placed quadrats. In addition a 5cm long sediment core of 4cm diameter was taken and notes made of depth, sediment type, brittlestar coverage and kelp species and coverage. N.B. the L. hians data does not appear to have been entered into Marine Recorder. ROV sampling: deployed at 27 stations, using dGPS for position fixing. Digital Video footage was recorded at each station for 5-10 minutes at each station. At 25 stations the ROV was used to record biotope zonation, with video recording for 10-20 minutes at each station. N.B. this data does not appear to have been entered into Marine Recorder. Grab sampling: Samples for macrobenthic infauna were taken at 16 stations iusing asingle 0.1m2 Van Veen grab samples were taken. A subsample of around 100-150ml of sediment was taken from each sediment sample for grain size analysis before sieving the remainder through a 0.5mm mesh. The screenings were buffered on 10% formalin, the screeings were preserved in borax-buffered 10% formalin. N.B. this data does not appear to have been entered into Marine Recorder. Acoustic survey: Bathymetric sidescan and single beam acoustic mapping techniques were used at near 100% coverage to develop acoustically classed seafloor maps. AGDS and sidescan data were simultaneously acquired. A Furuno FCV292 dual frequency echosounder with 28kHz and 200kHz transducers and a Lowrence 300A with 50 kHz transducers. The use of alternative frequencies with different echosounders was undertaken in order to test AGDS methods for discriminating particular biotopes. The bathymetric sidescan used was a Submetricx System 2000 with 117kHz transducers. Acquisition settings varied with transmit lengths of 18-100cps (77-424?sec), a ping rate of 3-5 per second and 2048 sample receiver length. Sound velocity measurements were acquired at the site but no depth stratification was noted and thus velocities of 1498ms-1 were used for ray tracing throughout the site. The transducers were bow-mounted on the survey vessel with the motion reference unit permanently fixed immediately above the transducers. The motion reference unit was a TSS DMS-05 dynamic motion sensor which used solid state sensing elements to measure instantaneous linear accelerations and angular rates of motion change to 0.05°. Differential global positioning system (dGPS) was used alnog with a fluxfate magnetic compass. Survey line spacing was chosen to give a minimum 50% overlap on bathymetric sidescan data, and was further reduced where sea floor change was rapid or of important interest. AGDS was calibrated for depth, E1 and E2 values. Sidescan was roll calibrated. Tidal corrections were applied to both the bathymetric sidescan data and ADGS from 10 minute tidal curves modelled using information from Admiralty Tide tables and the Hydrographic Office