2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) South Arran MPA benthic camera and dive survey
The purpose of this benthic survey around South Arran was to collate the evidence base for the Marine Protected Area (MPA) and to establish a baseline against which to assess the effectiveness of any new management measures. An underwater video and a dive survey were conducted between the 15th and 26th September 2015 to collect detailed biological information on three of the MPAs protected features: 'maerl beds', 'kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment' and 'seagrass beds'. MNCR phase ll style dive surveys were conducted at 6 sites within the South Arran MPA and drop-down video tows were undertaken along 177 transects within 6 search areas of the MPA. SNH used SEPAs survey vessel Kelpie to undertake both surveys.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-CMEU-000269-SARR
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::27700
Morris-Webb, E.S. & Stamp, T.S. 2015. Biological analyses of underwater video footage from Arran, Loch Linnhe, Loch Shell and Loch Seaforth. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 818; Mercer, T., Kamphausen, L., Moore, J., Bunker, F., Archer Thompson, J. & Howson, C. 2018. South Arran MPA diver survey of maerl beds, kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment, and seagrass beds 2014. Scottish Natural Heritage Research Report No. 882
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-02-14
creation
2012-03-16
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-5.5050
-5.0267
55.5528
55.3976
creation
2009-06-18
Irish Sea
creation
2009-05-01
39E4
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2014-09-15
2014-09-26
publication
2018-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from South Arran was collected by SNH between the 15th and 26th September 2014. Video images were obtained from 177 drop-down video tows at 6 search areas within the MPA from the 15th to 19th September onboard SEPAs vessel Kelpie. Standard resolution video was obtained from drop-down video tows with time overlay, and where possible high definition GoPro imagery was taken alongside (without time overlay). Due to better quality results, the GoPro video was analysed preferentially to the original DDV footage. No still images were taken alongside the video tows, however images were taken as screen grabs from video tows post survey. This data were derived from SEPA video footage provided to SNH for biological analyses. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Marine Ecological Solutions, contracted by SNH, to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale, as far as possible. Video was first split into individual habitats or biotopes where new habitats were either bigger than 25m2 (a minimum biotope size) or greater than 1 minute in length. A first view of the video included assigning habitat name, substrate composition, characterizing biota, sample descriptions and evidence of any human disturbance. On the second view, all species identifiable to a World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) accepted taxa were recorded and where possible a SACFOR abundance rating was assigned. Biotopes were assigned based on the biological and physical attributes, using the JNCC Marine Habitat Classification guidance. Where video runs traversed a sequence of biotopes, the runs are split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using the clock time, position and depth. Diver MNCR Phase ll style surveys were also conducted within this survey period from the 21st to 26th September. Within the MPA, 6 locations were surveyed to provide representation of a range of environmental conditions and pressure regimes. Precise locations of dive stations were based on data collected in the drop-down video survey. The dive survey visited new high quality examples of maerl beds which had not been surveyed in detail before. Additional to these dive stations, a further two dives were undertaken to determine the E and W extent of the Lamlash Bay North maerl bed. MNCR phase ll dive surveys were conducted from the Rib North Shore. Method details for this survey included an MNCR phase II style dive survey along a fixed transect at each site; the collection of infaunal diver cores (10cm diameter); sediment particle size distribution in the vicinity of the transect and the recording of maerl percentage covers in random 0.25m2 quadrats. Method details also included an MNCR phase II style survey of the Whiting Bay Zostera Bed in a pre- selected area. The recording of Zostera shoot density in randomly thrown quadrats and a photographic record of the bed, fauna and flora (methods included bathyscope and snorkeler assessment). Post field survey, the samples were subject to either macrobenthic taxonomic analysis, particle size distribution (undertaken by Hebog Environmental Ltd.) or loss on ignition analysis, as appropriate. Aquatic Survey and Monitoring Ltd. were contracted by SNH to run the diving survey and undertake infaunal analysis of the dive samples.
publication
2011-02-02
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not to be used for navigation. This survey recorded no species or biotope occurences that SNH consider as sensititive; 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 permissable under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner.
No restrictions on public access
Data manager
Marine Ecological Solutions
originator
Aquatic Survey and Monitoring Ltd.
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
pointOfContact
2019-08-08