2023 FISP: Ecosystem Benefits of UK Oyster Aquaculture Sites Pembrokeshire Sediment Sampling Survey
As part of the Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) project ‘Ecosystem Benefits of UK Oyster Aquaculture Sites’, project partners Tethys Oysters Ltd. / Atlantic Edge Oysters Ltd., Envision Marine Ltd. and the University of Essex have collaborated in a research project to determine ecosystem benefits provided by oyster aquaculture by measuring biodiversity and denitrification activity at a variety of sites in England and Wales. Surveys were undertaken by ENVISION in 2023 to measure the biodiversity associated with three oyster farms and one naturalised rock oyster reef in comparison to control sites with similar environmental conditions, as well as ecosystem function (nitrification/denitrification activity) at these sites. Recognising the importance of conservation and restoration of native oyster populations, surveys were also carried out in 2022 and 2023 to measure oyster abundance and associated biodiversity at an historic native oyster site, commercially restocked with native oysters in 2021. Survey works included recording of underwater imagery, sediment sampling, oyster dredging and ecosystem function sampling. Underwater camera systems were used to record the diversity of biota around the oysters during submersion. Sediment samples were taken for measurement of diversity of macrofauna, particle size distribution and total organic carbon, and the ecosystem function testing involved sampling of sediment and swabs of oysters/hard surfaces to determine the abundance and activity of denitrifying/nitrifying microorganisms on oyster site substrates, through genomic analysis. The results of the denitrification and biodiversity services provided by oyster aquaculture were communicated to consumers, industry and decision makers to increase understanding and promote awareness of the ecosystem benefits provided by aquaculture.
dataset
https://doi.org/10.17031/663b2a1f12ced
name: DOI and download link
description: A link to the web service or dataset
http://https://www.dassh.ac.uk/
name: DASSH website
description: A link to the general host site
ENV-2022-1007_PEMB2023_Grab
http://https://www.dassh.ac.uk
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
geoscientificInformation
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-07-06
-5.0847
-5.0340
51.6915
51.6753
creation
1954-01-01
Bristol Channel
revision
2010-01-01
littoral
revision
2010-01-01
soil and sediment
2023-06-05
2023-06-08
publication
2024-09-09
notPlanned
This dataset was collected by ENVISION as part of the Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) project 'Ecosystem Benefits of UK Oyster Aquaculture Sites'. MEDIN compliant processing of sediment and macrofauna data undertaken post data collection period. This data has been reviewed against the DASSH Quality Assessment Criteria (http://doi.org/10.17031/64ccec5c7ba72) and been categorised as High-Medium quality. If any sensitive species or biotope records are present within this dataset, they will have been removed. If you wish to request access to sensitive species records, please contact the metadata contact. The UK Sensitive Species list has been agreed by UK statutory bodies and relevant experts. It can be viewed here https://docs.nbnatlas.org/sensitive-species-list/. Please note sensitive species lists can vary across the UK. Any associated images are available to view on https://www.dassh.ac.uk/dasshresourcespace/pages/search.php
publication
2011-02-02
true
guideline version 5.5
Open Government Licence v3.0
Open Access
Envision Marine Ltd
originator
Data Manager
Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH)
Marine Biological Association of the UK, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill
Plymouth
PL1 2PB
01752 633102
01752 633291
custodian
Data Manager
Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH)
Marine Biological Association of the UK, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill
Plymouth
PL1 2PB
01752 633102
01752 633291
pointOfContact
Envision Marine Ltd
pointOfContact
2024-09-13