e3f625ce4e3c24089431e50a10f8ca90 English dataset NatureScot (HQ Inverness) data_supply@nature.scot pointOfContact 2025-05-29 MEDIN 3.1.2 EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2021-01-06 revision OSGB 1936 / British National Grid 2001 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Firth of Forth intertidal habitats broad-scale mapping survey 2002-01-01 publication GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000068-MRSNH00100000020-FORTH NS-000068 NatureScot project ID Comparatively little data are available on the distribution of marine intertidal habitats within the Firth of Forth. This report presents the findings of the survey, undertaken in autumn 2001. It covered the northern shore from Fife Ness to the Forth Rail Bridge and the southern shore between the Rail Bridge and Dunbar. The intertidal area of the Isle of May was also mapped from existing data. During the survey, intertidal biotopes were mapped in accordance with standardised methodologies and target notes were made. The results are presented as a series of ‘biotope complex’ maps. 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 2025-05-29 revision NDGO0005 NDGO0005 2025-05-29 revision Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2021-09-28 revision Habitat characterisation Habitat extent 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 -3.8280 -2.4862 55.9338 56.2905 SeaVox salt and freshwater body gazetteer 2021-01-06 creation North Sea Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2021-01-06 creation Northern North Sea 2001-10-20 2001-11-23 SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 revision littoral Posford Haskoning (2002) Broad scale intertidal survey of the Firth of Forth. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report F01AA407. Database Marine Recorder Documents Published report Geographic Information System Shapefiles Movie Image 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 As far as possible, the littoral area was mapped to biotope level, with a higher unit of classification being used where this was not possible, e.g. biotope complex. Sediment shores were dug over and sieved to identify species and to assess abundance (using the SACFOR scale) for biotope classification. Where necessary, specimens were retained for verification of their identities. Mapping of biotopes was carried out in the field by annotating OSBG 1:5000 waterproof A2 maps produced from the OSGB 1:10000 raster tiles, provided to Posford Haskoning by SNH. Biotopes were mapped and displayed according to the criteria in the “Marine biotope classification for Britain and Ireland, Volume 1, Littoral biotopes. Version 97.06” (Connor et al.,1997). Spatial biotope polygons, vertical shores and spot data were geographically referenced using hand-held GPS recorders using OSGB (1936) datum. Target notes were used to record any additional information and their locations were recorded with geo-references using GPS. On particularly complex shores, where mapping at the biotope level was difficult due to the presence of mosaics of biotopes or the saw-tooth profile of the shore, data on the biotopes present were recorded in the target notes. On all shores, transects running up and down the shore were also recorded as sketches to provide an indication of the profile and zonation of biotopes present. At the end of each survey day, the waterproof field maps were worked up to produce hard copy fair maps for use later in the project. Field notes were transferred to MNCR Site and Littoral Habitat (Intermediate) forms and target notes written up onto A4 paper. A MNCR Site form was completed for each distinct area of shoreline; these having been defined on site using a combination of physical and biological features such as aspect, wave and tidal exposure and shore type (embayment, open coast etc.). MNCR Intermediate forms were completed for biotopes of notable value, quality or uniqueness. Photographs as 35mm slides, were taken during the survey showing the general area, each distinct area, specific species/community groups and key features for future reference. Each photograph taken was logged and geo-referenced using GPS. Digital video footage has been captured for the entire survey area and also logged and geo-referenced using GPS. The video footage was provided in an unedited/uncut state with full log information. The survey team comprised two teams of two people, working in parallel on a day to day basis. The survey began on 20 October 2001, with the survey teams working westwards from Fife Ness towards the Forth Rail Bridge. Survey work on the south shore, working eastwards from the Forth Rail Bridge towards Dunbar, commenced on 3 November 2001. The survey was completed, at Dunbar, on 23 November 2001. With the exception of the period 10 November to 16 November 2001 and individual rest days, survey work was uninterrupted.