2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland (MS) Southern Trench benthic camera and grab survey
The purpose of this benthic survey in the Southern Trench, Outer Moray Firth, was to identify the presence of any other priority marine features (PMFs) or MPA search features such as burrowed mud biotopes and ocean quahog (arctica islandica) communities in the shelf deep area. An underwater video and still photograph survey was conducted by Heriot-Watt University and SNH for MS between the 6th and 11th September 2011 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 74 sites within the Southern Trench shelf deep area. The images and infaunal samples, analysed under SNH contract by Heriot-Watt University, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. An infaunal grab survey was also undertaken on this survey at a subset of 20 drop-down video stations, selected to target areas of historic records of shelf deep habitat and where PMFs were most likely to occur with the overall aim of gaining a broader understanding of the habitat type and assist in biotope assignment. The vessel RV Alba na Mara was used for this survey - samples were also collected from Noss Head on the same cruise.
dataset
GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000164-MRSNH02500000003-ST
http://www.nature.scot
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Hirst, N.E., Clark, L. & Sanderson, W.G. (2012). The distribution of selected MPA search features and Priority Marine Features off the NE coast of Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.500
biota
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
creation
2011-02-16
creation
2011-07-06
creation
2012-03-16
creation
2012-05-25
revision
2005-04-27
creation
2006-08-31
creation
2017-05-12
-2.7000
-1.4000
58.0000
57.6000
creation
2009-06-18
Northern North Sea
creation
2009-05-01
44E7
creation
2009-05-01
44E8
revision
2010-01-01
circalittoral
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
2011-09-06
2011-09-11
publication
2012-12-31
notPlanned
This subtidal seabed data from the Southern Trench was collected by Heriot-Watt University and SNH between the 6th and 11th September 2011 onboard the vessel RV Alba na Mara. Survey stations were chosen using a stratified random coarse grid pattern with a higher density of stations in most likely PMF areas. Video images were obtained from a combined total of 74 drop-down video drift tows deployed just above the seabed for 5-10mins. Still photographs were also taken approximately taken every minute manually. A Konsberg OE14-366 colour zoom camera was used alongside a Konsberg 14-208 digital stills camera, with camera and lights mounted onto a sled for this survey. Positional, time and depth data are available for the start and end of video runs. Analyses of the video footage was undertaken by Heriot-Watt University, contracted by SNH, to describe the physical structure and species assemblages present. Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated. Species present were identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale for colonies and large aggregations of individuals, where possible, or using numerical abundance of individuals. Where video runs traversed a sequence of biotopes, the runs are split into corresponding segments with the transition points recorded using time. Segmentation of runs was not practicable in the case of mosaics of recurring biotopes, in which case all biotopes observed were simply listed. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence PMFs and MPA search features, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance. A small number of pre-planned sampling stations had to be removed due to a high number of creels obstructing the safe deployment of the drop-down video camera. Infaunal samples were collected at 20 stations in the Southern Trench survey area using a 0.1m2 Day grab. Sampling stations for grabs were selected based on a subset of drop-down video sampling stations so as to increase sampling effort in areas where PMFs were most likely to occur. Single sediment grabs were collected at each station to gain a broad understanding of the biotopes present on the seabed. A small sub sample of each grab was taken for particle size analysis (PSA), before being sieved by hand through a 1mm mesh size. Any material retained on the sieve was transferred to a labelled container before being fixed with a buffered 4% formaldehyde solution. A biotope was assigned to each grab sample. PSA and infaunal analysis was also undertaken by Heriot-Watt University.
publication
2011-02-02
true
See the referenced specification
publication
2018-01-23
true
See the referenced specification
Not for navigational use; This survey recorded no species or biotope occurrences that SNH consider as sensitive; 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 permissible under Open Government Licence terms. Any re-use of this data will acknowledge the copyright owner.
No restrictions on public access
Heriot-Watt University School of Life Sciences
originator
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
custodian
Data Manager
Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
pointOfContact
2020-03-05