de06ec48-590d-421f-b6a9-41634be9ff46 eng series ABP Marine Environmental Research 023 8071 1840 Quayside Suite Medina Chambers, Town Quay Southampton SO14 2AQ United Kingdom enquiries@abpmer.co.uk pointOfContact 2015-10-08 MEDIN Discovery Profile 2.3.8 EPSG: 27700 2013, Xodus Ltd., Buchan Deep, Phase 1 Intertidal Survey 2013-10-29 publication BD_7 To support the development of the Hywind Scotland Pilot Park Project (‘the Project’), Statoil Wind Limited (SWL) is undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Part of the EIA will involve the assessment of potential impacts on intertidal ecology, related to the proposed onshore cable route options at Peterhead. To inform the EIA and to evaluate the potential for impacts on intertidal ecology, SWL has appointed Xodus Group to undertake a marine intertidal Phase 1 biotope mapping survey. The aim of the survey was to characterise and map baseline ecological conditions within the survey area. At the time of the survey three potential locations for bringing the export cable ashore (cable landfall) were under consideration within the intertidal survey area: one located across the mouth of the River Ugie in the north; one at the sandy bay at The Ive in the middle of the survey area; and another to the south of the survey area adjacent to the harbour sea defences. Prior to the survey a desk-based assessment was undertaken to identify habitats and species including protected habitats and species likely to be present in the survey area. The intertidal survey identified 16 main biotopes and four subsidiary biotopes including biotopes dominated by lichens, fucoids, barnacles, kelp, calcareous red algae in rock pools and ephemeral green algae. The distribution of biotopes across the site relates to a range of physical factors including substrate type, degree of exposure to wave action, height on the shore and modifiers such as salinity and sand scour. The spatial extent of the intertidal zone and topography varied throughout the survey area, creating a mosaic of biotopes. Biotopes were broadly similar across the site, although local conditions e.g. sand and freshwater influence, and geology, resulted in differences in the zonation patterns on the shore and therefore the presence and extent of biotopes. Rockpool biotopes were present throughout the site and were also present in discrete mappable areas in places. Rockpools are considered specialised biotopes of particular nature conservation interest because they are often species-rich and therefore increase the biodiversity of the shore. The north-east Scotland Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) has a Principle Target of ‘no loss, or reduction in quality, of existing estuarine and intertidal habitat’. For these reasons it is recommended that the species-rich rockpool areas are avoided and that mitigation measures are implemented to minimise intertidal impacts. Best working practice guidance, including that provided in the CIRIA coastal and marine environmental site guide (CIRCA, 2003) and the SEPA Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPG) (SEPA, 2013), should be followed to minimise disturbance to intertidal habitats. Statoil +44 (0) 203 204 3200 +44 (0) 203 204 3600 One Kingdom Street London W2 6BD United Kingdom info@statoil.com http://www.statoil.com/en/Pages/default.aspx distributor Xodus Group Ltd info@xodusgroup.com originator Crown Estate Scotland 0131 260 6070 Quartermile Two, 2nd Floor, 2 Lister Square Edinburgh EH3 9GL enquiries@crownestatescotland.com custodian notPlanned .pdf Intertidal zone Cable Landfall Onshore area of search The Crown Estate Renewable Energy Development Areas 2012-05-15 revision 1 Feasibility The Crown Estate Renewable Energy Development Phases 2012-05-15 revision 1 Habitat characterisation Habitat extent SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2015-09-09 revision 89 Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2009-07-31 revision 1 Biota abundance, biomass and diversity SeaDataNet Agreed Parameter Groups 2015-02-04 revision 22 Marine Environmental Data and Information Network Marine Environmental Data and Information Network http://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/pages/terms-of-use.aspx copyright copyright http://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/pages/terms-of-use.aspx http://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/pages/terms-of-use.aspx eng biota oceans -1.8025511 -1.7579901 57.5042123 57.5234131 2013-08-22 2013-08-23 inapplicable inapplicable https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/details/CES-74/summary A link to the web service or dataset. https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk A link to the general host site. series The intertidal survey was carried out in accordance with the marine intertidal Phase 1 biotope mapping survey methodology as described by Wyn et al. (2000). This method is a standardised system of surveying and mapping littoral habitats. It is a rapid survey technique designed to produce illustrative maps of biotope distribution. The methodology advises that surveys are undertaken between April and October and during spring tides to offer the most complete results in terms of both the amount of growth on the shore and the extent of the intertidal exposed during low tide periods. Biotope mapping of soft sediments within the survey area was not included within the survey scope. These areas are, however, indicated on the biotope map as appropriate.