eb298bc10f25b319d84331d0e1679ca4 English dataset Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk pointOfContact 2021-11-26 MEDIN Discovery metadata standard 2.3.8 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326 Abundance and biomass of benthic infauna as part of the North Channel habitat mapping project, 2017 2019-01-08 publication 2017-09-28 creation 2021-11-10 revision DASSHDT00000410 This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance and biomass from sediment grabs in North Channel as part of a larger, more comprehensive habitat mapping project. This survey was carried out over two days in 2017 by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) on the RV Corystes. A 0.1m2 Day Grab was used to collect the sediment samples. Particle size analysis (PSA) and Carbon and Nitrogen analysis were carried out. The infaunal samples were sent away to accredited taxonomic laboratories to be identified and weighed. There were many commercially and biologically important species found in the samples for example Modiolus modiolus (Northern Ireland priority species) and a few non-native species such as Goniadella gracilis. There were also a few records of species that are not formally recorded in the UK e.g. Syllis licheri. The most abundant species recorded was the polychaete Sabellaria spinulosa. The polychaete species Syllis armillaris was present in all 12 samples taken. Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk originator Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk custodian notPlanned Delimited Marine Environmental Data and Information Network Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-01-06 revision Zoobenthos generic abundance SeaDataNet P021 parameter discovery vocabulary 2009-11-16 revision Biodiversity GEMET 2011-07-06 creation Open access; CC-BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) otherRestrictions Open access 50 English biota Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2009-06-18 creation Irish Sea Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2009-06-18 creation Minches & Western Scotland ICES Rectangles 2009-05-01 creation 38E4 -5.9024 -5.1680 54.6574 55.0965 2017-07-15 2017-09-28 Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk distributor https://doi.org/10.17031/ijdo70 DOI link http://https://www.dassh.ac.uk/ DASSH website A link to the general host site dataset MEDIN data guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos 2011-02-02 publication See the referenced specification true This data contains information on infaunal abundance and biomass from grab samples carried out in the North Channel in 2017. The survey dates were 2017-07-15 and 2017-09-28. In total there were 12 grab samples taken for infaunal analysis and identification. This survey is part of a larger seabed habitat mapping project of the North Channel with the aim to help with future management of the area as well as having a better understanding of the biology and topography of the area (i.e. are there any species present of commercial or conservation importance). The AFBI research vessel RV Corystes was used to collect the samples using a 0.1m2 Day grab. The methodology used for collecting samples in the day grab is detailed below. A 0.1m2 day grab was used to take a sample of the sediment and associated infaunal communities. When the sample reaches the deck, a 250ml sample is taken for PSA and a further 25ml is taken for C and N analysis. The rest of the sample is carefully sieved to reveal any infauna. Fixed Formalin (4 percent buffered formaldehyde) is added to the remains of the sample and these are placed in labelled buckets. The samples are sent to accredited taxonomic laboratories were they are identified to as high a level as possible and weighed.