AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Habitat point records from 1983 Rostron Isles of Scilly sublittoral sediment survey

The survey was carried out in July 1983 to obtain information on the communities present in the extensive shallow sublittoral sediments of the Isles of Scilly in relation to the proposals to establish a marine nature reserve there. Sites were chosen to be representative of different depths and exposures and also fairly evenly spaced throughout the survey area. A total of 9 sites were sampled. Sampling was achieved by means of a diver-operated suction sampler. Two 0.1 m/2 samples were obtained from each site for biological analysis and also one core sample for sediment analysis. All animals present in the samples were identified and the individuals of each taxon counted although no quantitative analyses of the data were attempted. Numbers of taxa obtained in each 0.2 m/2 area of sea bed ranged from 31 in homogeneous sand sediment to 104 from mixed gravel. Sediments around the Isles of Scilly were found to support a diverse fauna, especially at the deeper sites. The large variation in habitat conditions resulted in a mosaic of community types, some of which resembled communities previously described from other areas. Sediment particle size analyses were carried out for 6 of the 9 sites. Sediments were predominantly coarse gravel with small quantities of fine sand associated organic material. Many of the species present in the Isles of Scilly were characteristic of coarse sediments although areas of fine sand sediment were also present. The extensive beds of Zostera marina were of interest as they provided a particular habitat for a variety of species. The present survey was sufficient to describe only a limited number of sites. However, the results confirm the high diversity of communities present in the Isles of Scilly and demonstrate the very wide variety of rich and unusual shallow sedimentary habitats present within a small area.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1983 OPRU Bardsey and the Lleyn Peninsula littoral survey

The survey was carried out to describe the range of habitats, communities and species present on littoral rock on Bardsey and the Lleyn Peninsula and to classify the sites according to the communities present and their scientific interest and probable nature conservation importance. Sites were selected from the maps and charts to ensure that as wide a range of habitats as possible was surveyed in the time available. Systematic surveys were carried out of open-shore communities and records of the abundance of conspicuous species were obtained from the main subzones on the shore. These results enabled the classification of different shore types based on communities present and topographical features. Particular attention was given to the description of other habitats such as rockpools, boulders and caves. Colour transparency photographs were taken of the shores and species present. Twenty-five sites were described during the survey and a total of 118 algal, 9 lichen and 124 animal taxa was recorded. Six different shore types were described ranging from shores of steep rock which were very exposed to wave action to flat sheltered shores. Separate descriptions were made of the communities present under boulders, in caves and in rockpools. Much of the considerable length of coastline surveyed was of a wave-exposed nature and good examples of exposed shore communities were described. Other more sheltered types of habitat and associated communities were limited in extent. Although flora and fauna characteristic of more southerly latitudes were found within the survey area, the geographical position, range of sea temperatures and configuration of the coastline mitigated against the occurrence of many of these species within the littoral zone. The coastline of Bardsey Island included almost as many different shore types as the whole area surveyed and several southern species present on the island were absent from the adjacent mainland. Unusual communities present within large caves were encountered in the vicinity of St Tudwal's. The area surveyed includes a considerable extent of very similar coastline with locations identified as unusual or particularly rich in species widely seperated. Decisions regarding the location of boundaries for the proposed statutory marine nature reserve will have to consider whether these isolated sites of high scientific interest can be included or whether the central one of Bardsey and the nearby mainland coast, which includes a very wide range of habitats and communities, is a more practical area to propose.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1987 Foster-Smith/Foster-Smith Beadnell to Dunstanburgh (Northumberland) littoral survey

1. This survey of the littoral and sublittoral habitats between Anstead Rocks and Dunstanburgh Castle, in Northumberland, has been designed to provide marine biologocal information for an assesment of conservation interest of the site. 2. Part of this information consists of basic habitat and species data collected on standard MNCR habitat recording forms, and species checklists. 3. The survey also describes the area in terms of assemblages and this information is presented as 30 generalised assemblage descriptions, line drawings and distribution maps. 4. Marine conservation interest of the study area is evaluated in the wide regional context of other open-coast sites. 5. The area is considered to have many fine examples of representative habitats for the region as well as some less common habitats. While there are few rare species assemblages, species diversity is high. 6. The area is scenically outstanding and lies in part of Northumberland that has considerable existing conservation interest.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1985 University of Bristol upper Severn Estuary survey

This study was commissioned to extend the sparse information on the ecology of the Upper Severn Estuary in relation to the feasibility study to place a tidal energy barrage at English Stones. The report is in 3 parts: literature survey, field survey and a discussion of possible changes due to barrage construction. The literature survey examines published information (44 papers) on algae, saltmarshes, fish, birds and invertebrates and discusses the findings. A field survey concentrated on the invertebrates occuring in the major habitats (rock, shingle, sand, mud and saltmarsh) in 5 sectors of the upper estuary from Avonmouth to the riverine stretches above Gloucester. The major conclusion is that tidal scour and its effects together with the different sediment types are equally important to reduced and varying salinity in controlling invertebrate distribution. As expected, major ecological changes are predicted if a barrage were constructed. Increased stability of the system due, in particular, to the reduction in current strength and scour could lead to increases in both the diversity and absolute number of invertebrates. There would also be an increase in the area occupied by Spartina marsh. The report concludes with recommendations for further research required necessary to properly evaluate the consequences of barrage construction. In addition, many samples of saltmarsh invertebrates from the present study still require examination. It seems clear from the engineering and economic studies of the English Stones barrage that the project would not be viable as rapid silting of the upper basin would prevent efficient operation.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1984 OPRU Lundy littoral survey and monitoring

Lundy shores have been studied over many years, providing a good descriptive basis for the assessment of the scientific interest of the area and for the location of sites and species of high conservation importance. The current status of Lundy as a voluntary marine nature reserve and the work being undertaken to obtain statutory designation make it important to understand the dynamics of littoral communities on Lundy and particularly of species of high scientific interest so that management is based on a good knowledge of the natural fluctuations and sensitivity of communities and species. The work undertaken in April 1984 was carried out to: 1. describe shore communities present at locations around Lundy, particularly in areas of high conservation interest or where little or no survey work had previously been carried out (Management Plan Project RL11); 2. photograph shore communities at locations around the island to provide a basis for future assessment of gross change and to provide illustrative material for lectures and displays (Management Plan Project RL05, RL09, RL10); 3. record in an accurate and repeatable manner, communities and species of high conservation importance (Management Plan Project RF/RA); 4. photograph species present on shores to provide illustrations for lectures and displays (Management Plan Project RL10); and 5. assess the suitability of selected shores for interpretative purposes and collect information for leaflets (Management Plan Project MD 01). Shores were studied and described at the Devil's Kitchen, the Landing Bay from the northern seawall to Surf Point, north of Gannet's Rock and south of Lametry. A circumnavigation of the island provided a general assessment of the shores all around Lundy and photographs for illustrative and monitoring purposes. Detailed monitoring studies were started of rockpools at the Devil's Kitchen, of populations of cup corals at the Devil's Kitchen and north of Gannet's Rock, of the algae Bifurcaria bifurcata, and of a cave community at Rat Island. A general assessment was made of the suitability of Lundy shores for interpretative purposes. The work was designed so that a warden or liason officer could undertake future monitoring. Other areas identified as worthy of monitoring include sandy rock areas below the jetty in the Landing Bay and the large pool between Rat Island and Surf Point.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1984-86 Dyrynda Fleet lagoon (entrance) survey

The Fleet, on the western coast of Dorset, is the largest lagoon in the British Isles. 14 km in length, it communicates with marine waters only through a single, artificially narrowed entrance. During August of 1983, the subtidal bed of the Fleet was surveyed in order to determine the range of substrates and biological communities present. The area covered was the down-stream-most section of the lagoon, which experiences moderate to strong tidal currents and flushing, but very weak wave exposure. Coarse sediments and exposures of bedrock were identified, and were found, under these favourable hydrological conditions, to be colonized by biological communities with a high content of species (Dyrynda, 1984). The survey preceded major construction work, undertaken during 1984/85 and necessitated by the deterioration of the Weymouth-Portland road bridge spanning the lagoon entrance. The programme aimed to maintain the road link and also tidal communication at all times, and avoid any long term effects on the hydrography of the lagoon. The work entailed the construction of a new channel and bridge within what was a solid embankment, and the simultaneous closure and infilling of the old channel, 200 m to the north. This report provides a brief update on the 1983 subtidal survey in the light of the development work. Three sampling stations within the locality of the lagoon entrance have been re-evaluated according to visual assessments made prior to, at the time of, and 18 months after the entrance was transferred. The locations are, i) the former channel, now part infilled and in part a small embayment, ii) the new entrance channel, and, iii) a station within the lagoon, upstream of the two entrances. Comparison of the results obtained with original baseline information allows for the identification of changes in substrates and benthos. Some local changes were identified. The significance of these is discussed, with the conclusion that whereas a proportion are inevitable and expected, others cannot at present be gauged in importance since they may be transitory, or even, in part, the result of other processes, e.g. the recent large scale build up of Sargassum within the outer Fleet. Whether or not longer term changes have occurred or are developing further afield within the lagoon or Portland Harbour, can only be answered by studies undertaken on an adequately wide scale and after a sufficient time interval.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1984 Dyrinda Poole Harbour (south) sublittoral survey

Dredge, grab and diving survey. Divided into 2 areas: a) upstream with muddy substrate; b) downstream with coarser sediments. 'Upstream Area' epibenthos dominated by mobile species - large numbers of Carcinus, and also of the juveniles and adults of a number of fish species including P. flesus, C. harengus, P. pollachius and A. anguilla, such that the channels are a significant nursery area. 'Downstream Area' - despite the absence of stable bedrock suitable for colonization, the biological communities are characterised by high-biomass epibenthic communities, including well over 100 sessile and semi-mobile biota. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1986 BMNH Shakespeare & Abbot's Cliffs (Kent) littoral fauna survey

Description of 3 littoral rocky areas is given with details of main communities and species lists of the animals. Assessment is made of the richness of each site in the light of spoil dumping from Channel Tunnel excavations. The Shakespeare Cliff site was the richest, though Abbot's Cliff was highly rated by Arnott and others (1978). Recommendations are made regarding proposed developments.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1980 OPRU Lundy littoral rock & caves survey

Field studies carried out in 1980 provide records of shore communities from five open-shore sites and six caves or pairs of caves at Lundy. The species present are listed with notes on their distribution and abundance and a broad description is given of the habitats and communities present. Two main features of Lundy shores are pointed to as of high scientific interest: the very wide range of habitats and therefore species present along a short length of coastline, and the exceptional richness of slate shores in the region of Rat Island. Lundy also has a large number of intertidal caves and these are an unusual habitat with distinctive communities present. Although the communities on Lundy shores are subject to considerable enviromental stress and therefore recovery potential after damage is probably high, some species and habitats including lower-shore organisms and some cave communities are probably susceptable to long-term damage from disturbance. Care should be taken that inappropriate development or purposeful disturbance does not affect the area of Rat Island. The south-west part of the Landing Bay, The Gates, Lametry Beach and Gannets Bay should be especially protected from oil pollution. Studies of boulder shores, caves and rock pools should be carried out in a systematic comparative manner in the future. There is a need for a very general survey and associated photographic record of Lundy shores to at least assess how adequate our description of shore habitats and communities is, and to provide a basis for recording gross change.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1982 OPRU Skomer sublittoral survey

The survey was carried out to describe the types of sublittoral habitats and communities adjacent to the coast in the region of the eastern boundaries of the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. Surveys were carried out on two days. On October 10th 1982, 11 sites were surveyed in the region of Gateholm. On October 24th 1982, 3 sites were surveyed to the east of Martins Haven. Survey staff included biologists and divers recruited from the Pembrokeshire BS-AC Branch 417. Broad descriptions of habitats and communities were made based on the recording card developed for the South-West Britain Sublittoral Survey. Areas to the west and south of Gateholm were found to be predominantly rocky with some areas of sand. Rich plant and animal communities were observed, but it was not considered that any especially unusual communities or species were present. The sea bed to the north of Gateholm included extensive areas of sand but where rock was present, species characteristic of open-coast conditions were more common than to the south. Areas to the east of Martins Haven were remarkably similar in the habitats and communities present. Here, the bedrock and boulder slope with fringing areas of small boulders, stones and shells, extended only about 30 m from the shore and to depths of about 14 m. Offshore, there was plain of muddy sand charaterised by a fairly epifaunal community. Some alterations to the habitats mapped by P. Hunnam in 1976 were made and it was also found difficult to match descriptions from the present work to the small number of categories included on the 1976 map. It was concluded that the absence of any sublittoral habitats or communities of outstanding interest south of Gateholm would allow the termination of the reserve boundary at the western point of Gateholm and that, to include the areas of offshore rocky sea bed, there could usefully be a straight-line boundary from Gateholm Point to 500 m south of the Mew Stone. On the northern coast, it was suggested that, providing the boundary extended at least as far east as High Point, there were no biological grounds for precisely determining its eastern extent beyond that. The presence of very extensive areas of muddy sand with similar communities from about 40 m offshore provoked questioning of the offshore extent of the reserve boundary which could be as little as 200 m to include the main communities of conservation interest. However, practical points of navigation and enforcement would be important considerations and no recommendations have been made. It was also pointed out that a straight-line boundary from 500 m north of the Garland Stone towards the east would be practical. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1983 OPRU Bardsey and the Lleyn Peninsula sublittoral survey

The survey was undertaken to describe the range of sublittoral habitats and communities present in nearshore sublittoral areas of Bardsey and the Lleyn Peninsula and to assess their scientific interest and conservation importance. All the survey was carried out using diving, and access to sites was by inflatable boats. At each site surveyed, a botanist and a zoologist recorded the abundance of conspicuous species in the main habitats encountered. A description of the habitats was made and transcribed onto edge-punched cards. Photographs were also taken to illustrate communities and species present. Descriptions are provided of the different sublittoral habitats and communities encountered during the survey. They included distinctive communities on bedrock and boulders from sites exposed to very strong wave action and/or tidal streams to sites sheltered from strong water movement. Distinctive communities on stable rock surfaces were also found on offshore reefs on the north coast of Lleyn in surge gullies and on sandy rock surfaces. Caves at St Tudwal's Island and the headland of Pen-y-Cil were interesting topographical features with communities similar to those of surge gullies. Communities on cobbles occurred at several locations but were particularly well developed south-east of Bardsey and on the south coast of Lleyn near to Aberdaron. Bays at Porth Dinllaen, Aberdaron and south of St Tudwal's Road included several different and predominantly sediment communities. A bed of Zostera marina was present in Porth Dinllaen and maerl was present at St Tudwal's Road. A seperate description was undertaken of algal communities on kelp stipes. There were a wide range of habitats and communities present in the area surveyed reflecting the varied aspects, exposure to water movement, substrata present and topographical features of the coastline. There was a distinctive regional characteristic to some of the communities encountered particularly on the reefs off the north coast of Lleyn. The areas surveyed off the south-east coast of Bardsey were especially rich in species. The conservation importance of the whole area surveyed and of 17 seperate habitats/communities or locations is assessed. 12 algae, Zostera marina and 8 animal species are noted as of particular scientific interest within the area. Most features of conservation interest are considered of regional importance. However, tidal sound communities, communities on tide swept cobbles, the offshore reefs of northern Lleyn and the cave at Pen-y-Cil are considered of higher importance. Any further studies undertaken in the area should include a more detailed investigation of the cave at Pen-y-Cil, of the offshore areas in Hell's Mouth, a study of Caswenan Rock and of the banks east of Bardsey. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1977-80 Thomas/Culley Chichester Harbour littoral sediment survey

Report on a detailed survey of the macro-invertebrate littoral fauna, including an assessment of the habitats and associated fauna at 30 sites, a more detailed study of the species at 60 sites, and a temporal survey to investigate seasonal changes. Fauna are related to areas of cobble, gravel, sand, mud and shell, with Enteromorpha, Ulva, Fucus, Spartina and extensively worked to compare species densities and diversities for each site, and produce a comparison of the sites. Chichester Harbour is essentially estuarine in nature.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1986 OPRU Shetland fish farm infaunal sediment survey

This report describes the macrofauna present in benthic sediment samples taken at three salmon farm cage sites in August 1986. Samples were obtained in cores taken along a 50m transect line stretched out across the seabed from the edge of the cages. At two of the sites, fish cages had been operating for approximately 15 months whilst the third site had only been subjected to fish farm inputs for 4 months. At one of the older cage sites, situated in a very sheltered voe, the muddy sediments supported a low diversity community of which the main components were Capitella capitata and unidentified nematodes. Although apparently stressed, no gradients in community structure attributable to fish farm inputs were discernable. This may have been due to the transect line used not being long enough to include the whole of the gradient from polluted to clean conditions, because diver observations certainly suggested the existence of farm input-related gradients in other more readily visible parameters. At the other two sites, sediments were coarser and more mixed although the seabed at one of these was clearly more exposed to tidal currents than the other. They both supported a diverse infauna; that from the more exposed site numerically dominated by Corophium crassicorne, and that from the more sheltered site by Capitomastus minimus and unidentified oligachaetes. At the more exposed (and most recent) of these sites, the infauna within approximately 5m of the cages had been modified by fish farm inputs, and consisted predominantly of dense populations of Capitella capitata. Similar changes had occurred at the more sheltered of these two farm sites although here they extended out to approximately 15m from the cages.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee