dbd45a58a3d8340f34357d31948a25e1 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 2006 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Sunart marine features site condition monitoring survey 2007-12-31 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000108-MRSNH00200000004-LS http://www.nature.scot NS-000108 NatureScot project ID The principle purpose of this benthic survey in Loch Sunart SAC and SSSI was to design and initiate a hierarchical monitoring programme for the features of interest within the SSSI and SAC; subtidal and intertidal rocky reefs, Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii (A.mac) beds, and seagrass beds. To achieve this, a combination of remote drop-down video, diver transects, intertidal transects, mapping methodologies, a limited grab survey and diver coring and quadrat sampling techniques were used. Sampling was conducted by Aquatic Survey and Monitoring Ltd. (ASML) for SNH between the 2nd and 20th July 2006 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. The video and still photograph images were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. 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 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; 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 on public access 1000 English 8-bit variable size UCS Transfer Format, based on ISO/IEC 10646 biota environment oceans -6.0600 -5.4700 56.5900 56.7600 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 42E3 ICES Rectangles 2021-01-06 creation 42E4 2006-07-02 2006-07-20 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision circalittoral SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision infralittoral Mercer, Howson, Moore (2007) Site Condition Monitoring: survey of marine features within the Sunart Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 286 Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Geographic Information System shapefile Image various 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 subtidal seabed data from the Loch Sunart was collected by ASML between the 2nd and 20th July 2006. Images were obtained from a drop-down video survey at 120 stations between 02/07/06-06/07/06. Each video run was deployed just above the seabed for between 2-5mins to achieve tows of approx. 100m length. Two sets of drop-down video equipment were used for this survey, one supplied by SNH and a second by ASML, operating independently from two SNH owend RIB boats, Aquilla and Aphrodite. The two systems were similar light-weight systems that could be hand-hauled and operated from a RIB. Both were based on Sony 3CCD digital video cameras with Mini DV format tapes. The drop-down system owned by Scottish Natural Heritage uses a Sony DCR-TRV900 housed in an Amphibico Navigator 900 (VHNV0900) aluminum housing which can operate to 100 m depth and accepts a long-life battery. The ASML drop-down video system uses a Sony DRV 950 camera in an aluminium housing rated to 130m. Analyses of the video footage and stills was undertaken by ASML, contracted by SNH, to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Where video runs traversed a sequence of biotopes, the runs are split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using time. Segmentation of runs was not practicable in the case of mosaics of recurring biotopes, in which case all biotopes observed were simply listed. Intertidal and subtidal reef surveys were also undertaken. Relocatable survey transects were established at 7 intertidal sites and 8 subtidal sites, chosen to be representative of the variety of biotopes present in the area and to include sites in each zone of the loch. Diving and intertidal work was carried over 12 days from 08/07/06-20/07/06. Dive transects were approximately 100 m long and 4 m wide and were surveyed using semiquantitative Phase II and quantitative quadrat recording techniques, with the aim of describing the biotopes along the transects and establishing their species’ complement and the abundance of the constituent species. Subtidal transects extended to 30 m below sea level or 100 m distance, whichever was reached first. For an intertidal transect, a 100 m tape measure was attached to a piton and followed a constant bearing down the shore. The position of all the markers was recorded by GPS and photographs were taken to aid in future relocation. A band 2 m either side of the tape was surveyed by two workers recording the habitat and the biota using the MNCR SACFOR scale of abundance, with collection of material for laboratory examination where in situ. identification was not possible. Abundance was assessed over the zone as a whole, unless stated otherwise. A digital video camera and a digital stills camera were used to make representative photographic recordings of the transect zones in both the intertidal and subtidal. One biotope on each transect was selected for quantitative quadrat recording, using 0.25m2 quadrats, to supplement the semi-quantitative phase II data. Methodologies used for sampling A. mac and Zostera are detailed in the report sited below.