AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
2000 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of BMT Cordah Ltd. Barra Ferry Terminal (Sound of Barra) Environmental Statement survey

Habitat survey undertaken within the Sound of Barra, Western Isles, in May 2000 and on 12 August 2000. The survey was undertaken as a precursor to the planned construction of a ferry terminal and breakwater at Aird Mhor on the east coast of the Isle of Barra. The development area lies within the boundaries of the Sound of Barra proposed Special Area of Conservation (pSAC), identified under the 1992 EC Habitats Directive. The environmental impacts that the development could have on the nearshore marine communities and the pSAC features of interest were identified and measures to mitigate adverse environmental consequences proposed. 
     The survey provided information on the littoral and sublittoral communities present that might be affected by the development, including the identification of rare species and sensitive biotope complexes. This information was gathered by an in-situ assessment of intertidal habitats and communities, a subtidal diving survey and subtidal grab survey. Six intertidal sites were surveyed along the north east coast of Aird Mhor. Nine dive sites were surveyed in the vicinity of the proposed development, records were made from four distinct sublittoral habitats. MNCR phase 1 mapping was carried out in the vicinity of the proposed terminal site. The macrobenthic-sampling component of the survey collected faunal material from eleven subtidal sites; using a Van Veen grab and diver collected cores. The sampling sites were selected to represent all likely soft sediment habitats within approximately 3km of the proposed development. 
     The survey work provided information on the littoral and sublittoral communities present that might potentially be affected by the development, including the identification of rare species and sensitive biotope complexes. This information was gathered by: an in-situ assessment of intertidal habitats and communities, a subtidal diving survey and a subtidal grab survey.
     Six intertidal sites were surveyed along the north east coast of Aird Mhor. The shoreline supported a number of nationally common biotope complexes and a few less frequently encountered ones including a range of species rich rockpool biotopes and some well-developed sublittoral fringe communities. Typical bedrock shores with characteristic zonation patterns were encountered at both the breakwater and ferry terminal positions and records were made from six distinct littoral habitats.
     Nine dive sites were surveyed and in the vicinity of the proposed development, records were made from four distinct sublittoral habitats.
     MNCR phase 1 mapping was carried out in the vicinity of the proposed terminal site.
     The macrobenthic-sampling component of the survey collected faunal material from eleven subtidal sites; using a Van Veen grab and diver collected cores. The sampling sites were selected to represent all likely soft sediment habitats within approximately 3km of the proposed development

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2015 - 2017 Community Seagrass Initiative (CSI) South Coast Cornwall, Devon and Dorset Seagrass Transect Survey

The Community Seagrass Initiative is a citizen science lead monitoring programme. It focusses on sub-tidal seagrass beds in the South West of England between Looe in Cornwall and Weymouth in Dorset. There are 19 beds surveyed by the project in total, some, but not all, fall within the boundaries of designated Marine Protected Areas (MPS's). Data on seagrass shoot density, fauna counts on a very broad sale, and presence/absence of some Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and commercial fisheries species. Data is collected by volunteer divers that don't necessarily have previous marine biological surveying experience. They have been trained by the project on the surveying and animal identification skills required.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2012 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Rum benthic camera survey

The purpose of this benthic survey (cruise Pole Star 1/12) around the island of Rum was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance, particularly priority marine features (PMFs), because this area is of interest to the development of marine renewables. An underwater video survey were conducted by CEFAS for SNH on the 1st September 2012 to collect detailed biological information on the seabed species and habitat features present. Drop-down video drift tows were undertaken at 5 sites. Analyses on the seabed video and still photographic imagery, commissioned by SNH, were used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. CEFAS used the vessel NLV Pole Star for this survey.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2008 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) site condition monitoring surveys of East Coast of Scotland SSSI and Ramsar sites

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), in association with the other country agencies, has established a series of common standards for the monitoring of sites of nature conservation interest. These common standards apply to statutory sites notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and to areas designated as part of the Natura 2000 series including Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), together with Ramsar sites listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Many of the notified marine features of SSSI lie outwith the current suite of marine SAC and have yet to be subject to marine condition monitoring assessments (at the time of publication). The principal aim of this research was to formulate cost-effective and pragmatic solutions to the future monitoring of the sites that would meet the requirements of agreed monitoring standards. Specific objectives of the research were to:
     - 	derive biotope maps of each site to show the location of features, biotopes and species of interest;
     - 	establish an appropriate baseline biological dataset that will permit an assessment of current site condition, and be a basis for comparison with future monitoring surveys;
     - 	gather and present sufficient data for SNH to form a judgement on the current condition of the qualifying features
     - 	develop simple cost-effective survey methods and guidance that could be used in the future by non-specialist staff, and which would be suitable for each of the study sites
     - 	revise where necessary the SNH lagoon feature guidance developed in 2007.
     The project encompassed 15 designated features in total at 11 sites: Cromarty Firth SSSI and Ramsar, Inner Moray Firth Ramsar, Longman and Castle Stuart Bay SSSI, Munlochy Bay SSSI, Whiteness Head SSSI, Moray and Nairn Coast Ramsar, Rosehearty to Fraserburgh Coast SSSI, Montrose Basin SSSI and Ramsar and Firth of Forth SSSI. The features covered were intertidal mudflats and sandflats, seagrass beds and lagoons. Survey work was undertaken in August to October 2008.
     A baseline of biological data has been established to facilitate future condition assessment of the features, including mapping and sampling techniques. Site specific guidance has been developed to aid future monitoring by SNH staff. The approach taken to achieve these objectives was to establish a series of re-locatable stations and transects that reflect the biological and environmental diversity of the features of these sites

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
Assessing Boats and Ships 1860 - 1950

Assessing Boats and Ships 1860-1950 was funded by English Heritage through the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). The project, undertaken by Wessex Archaeology, consists of a national stock-take of known wrecks of this period in territorial waters off England. These are reviewed in light of the framework for assessing special interest prepared in the Marine Class Descriptions and Principles of Selection in Aggregate Areas project (ALSF 5383) and historic thematic studies.
     The project provides supplementary guidance on the key themes and interests represented by wrecks of this period. This guidance, in the form of synthesised period reports, can be used to inform advice and decisions regarding importance and mitigation. The principal beneficiaries are industry, consultants and English Heritage, although it is hoped that the project will also benefit a wider audience.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2000 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Torridon ROV survey

Dataset used in the NatureScot Commissioned Report 536 - Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in the Clyde Sea, Loch Torridon and the Inner Sound, North Minch, Loch Eriboll and Orkney. To help target marine nature conservation in Scotland, SNH and JNCC have generated a focused list of habitats and species of importance in Scottish waters - the Priority Marine Features (PMFs). A subset of these features (termed MPA search features) will drive the identification of Nature Conservation MPAs. The principal aim of the present investigation was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance in Scottish waters, especially PMFs, but also taking into consideration other importance measures. This was to be achieved through the analysis of seabed video and still photographic imagery collected during research cruises around Scotland carried out by various organisations between 2000 and 2012. 
     This dataset is from an ROV survey of habitats at 35 sites in Loch Torridon carried out in August 2000. Still images were used to describe the nature of the seabed, in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages.  Species present were, as far as possible, identified and quantified using the semi-quantitative MNCR SACFOR scale (Hiscock, 1996).  Based on the physical and biological attributes, biotopes were allocated (Connor et al., 2004).  Runs traversing a sequence of biotopes were split into corresponding segments, with the transition points recorded using the 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 of PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance according to a number of additional criteria. Species SACFOR data, habitat descriptions, biotopes, depth and positional data have been incorporated into the Marine Recorder repository.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
Scottish Natural Heritage Loch Moidart and Shiel Woods (LMSW) SAC Site Condition Monitoring

The principle purpose of this project is to carry out site condition monitoring (SCM) of the intertidal sediment flats of Loch Moidart and Shiel Woods SAC site. SCM was inaugurated at this SSSI site in 2003, providing a baseline for future SCM surveys. The study approach taken aims to enable re-surveying of 16 relocatable stations along 5 transects that are representative of the biological and environmental diversity of the sediment flats in the SAC in order to 1) establish a baseline biological dataset to facilitate future assessment; 2) identify any deterioration in the condition of the mudflat feature; and 3) to form a judgement on its current condition.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2016 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) South Skye Sealochs benthic camera and infaunal grab survey

This survey work consisted of drop down video and infaunal grab sampling, carried out by SNH in collaboration with SEPA on board the SV Sir John Murray, throughout South Skye Sea Lochs Eishort, Slapin, Scavaig, and Soay Sound. The primary objective of this survey was to fill data gaps - improving knowledge on the distribution biotopes of recognised conservation importance. A total of 42 video stations and 10 grab stations were surveyed over two days in August 2016.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2016 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Sound of Barra underwater video and benthic infaunal grab survey

Benthic habitat survey within, and adjacent to, the Sound of Barra SAC.  This work consisted of 35 quantitative drop-down video drift survey sites and 72 infaunal grab samples and granulometry samples for Particle Size Analysis. This was targeted to 9 sampling boxes located within and outside the eastern side of the Sound of Barra SAC. Digital still photographs were taken at intervals of the video survey to enable description of seabed structure and species assemblages. The main aims of this investigation were to: (1) improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognized conservation importance (in particular, refining the distribution of Habitats Directive Annex 1 habitats); (2) determine the current condition of the maerl and coarse sediment habitats on the eastern side of the Sound of Barra SAC; and (3) contribute towards site condition monitoring of the SAC. This constituted the FRV Alba Na Mara cruise 0616A.
      SNH GUID GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000313
      Marine Recorder surveyID's: MRSNH03600000002 and MRSNH0300000001F

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2009 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lamlash Bay broad-scale mapping survey

In September 2008 a No Take Zone (NTZ) was established in Lamlash Bay (Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire) in Scotland following a consultation for a fishery order (under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984). The proposed NTZ was passed by the Scottish Parliament prohibiting all sea fishing within the NTZ. This 2009 survey involved an acoustic mapping survey with ground-truthing (camera deployments and sediment sampling) to create maps of the habitats and biotopes within the site in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The aim of the survey was complete a baseline survey in Lamlash Bay to describe the seabed environment and map the seabed habitats in Lamlash Bay which was started in 2008.
     In order to complete the recording and characterisation of the habitats in Lamlash Bay additional acoustic and camera surveys were carried out in 2009 to acquire data in the areas not surveyed in 2008. The aim of the acoustic element of the survey was to identify different backscatter returns and describe as well as delineate the extent of the various seabed habitat types occurring in and around Lamlash Bay. A digital sidescan sonar mosaic, in conjunction with single beam echo sounder derived bathymetry, provided the initial broadview to map the substrata present throughout the survey area as well as allowing the identification of any features of interest. The aim of the ground-truthing element of the survey was to provide a description of the richness and diversity of the habitats on both rocky reef and the softer sediments. The biotope distribution and species composition was developed through interpretation of dropdown video footage and digital still photography, taken after evaluation of the sidescan mosaic. The results of all elements of the survey were combined with data collected in 2008 to create a Geographical Information System (GIS) which enabled a high level of processing, interpretation and display of the sidescan sonar mosaic, bathymetry, substrata types, biotopes and the digital photography. The 2009 survey work acquired baseline environmental data from the shallow sections (areas inside the 10 m contour). 
     The 2009 field work (acoustic and drop-down camera surveys) was undertaken between 9 and 13 September 2009 with all survey operations conducted from Seastar Survey Ltd.âs vessel Otarie. The survey mobilisation and de-mobilisation took place in Ardrossan Harbour, Scotland, on 7th September and 14th September respectively. This baseline data stored in Marine Recorder.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2011-Present Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority District Seagrass Survey

This dataset contains video tracks, GIS maps and layers, and PDF maps on the extent of the seagrass beds in The Solent. The data was collected by the Southern IFCA and Hampshire Wildlife Trust using a drop down camera system from Fisheries Patrol Vessel Tenacity over five days during the summer. In 2012 this included the areas of Calshot, Ryde and Beaulieu where the seaward extent of the beds was determined. The raw data has been assimilated into GIS maps showing the known beds and buffer zones for each bed. The collection of the data has primarily been used to create the Southern IFCA Seagrass Strategy, a code of conduct for bottom towed gear implemented in June 2012. The surveys will continue annually.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
Scottish Natural Heritage Loch Laxford SAC Site Condition Monitoring

The principle purpose of this project is to carry out site condition monitoring (SCM) of the Annex 1 features littoral and sublittoral 'reef' and 'inlets and bays' at Loch Laxford SAC site. SCM was inaugurated at this SAC site in 2009, providing a baseline for future SCM surveys. The study approach taken aims to enable re-surveying of 135 video stations in inlet and bay habitat and 11 relocatable transects spanning littoral and inshore sublittoral reef and sediment biotope habitats that are representative of the biological and environmental diversity of the qualifying features within the SAC. The purpose of this work being to 1) establish a baseline biological dataset to facilitate future assessment; 2) identify any deterioration in the condition of the habitats; and 3) to form a judgement on the habitats current condition.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Kentra Bay and Moss SSSI Site Condition Monitoring

The principle purpose of this project is to carry out site condition monitoring (SCM) of the intertidal sediment flats of Kentra Bay and Moss SSSI site. SCM was inaugurated at this SSSI site in 2003, providing a baseline for future SCM surveys. The study approach taken aims to enable re-surveying of 16 relocatable stations along 5 transects that are representative of the biological and environmental diversity of the sediment flats in the SSSI in order to 1) establish a baseline biological dataset to facilitate future assessment; 2) identify any deterioration in the condition of the mudflat feature; and 3) to form a judgement on its current condition.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2002 European Commission European distribution of harmful algal blooms

Report of a European workshop organised jointly by the Fifth Framework Programme Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development of the European Commission, the Institut de CiÃ¨ncies del Mar, CMIMA-CSIC (Barcelona) and the CalviÃ  Town Council (Majorca, Balearic Islands).  Focussed on the European distribution of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2004 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh biogenic and rocky reefs survey

Emu Limited (Emu Ltd.) was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to carry out fieldwork to initiate the monitoring of the reef features within the Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). The purpose of the fieldwork was to establish a series of relocatable survey transects and single point survey stations at locations which reflected the biological and environmental diversity of the rocky and biogenic reef features of the site. The data acquired from each of these survey stations is to be used to assess the âfavourable conditionâ status of the interest features on future monitoring surveys and provide sufficient information from which a judgement on the existing condition of the interest features can be made.
     The Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh (DLA) cSAC is designated for the intertidal and subtidal rocky reefs found throughout the site and biogenic reefs formed by dense beds of horse mussel, Modiolus modiolus. Sub-features of interest for which survey effort was targeted were:
     Very sheltered, rocky reefs subject to variable salinity (Loch Long);
     Deep sublittoral bedrock cliffs supporting communities characterised by the brachiopods Neocrania anomala, Terabratulina retusa and the anemone Protanthea simplex (Loch Duich),
     Dense beds of the normally cryptic brittlestar Ophiopholis aculeata (sills within the centre of Loch system); and
     Tide-swept bedrock communities (Kyle Rhea).
     Where possible, survey stations were placed in the same location as earlier survey visits to the area in order to allow the current condition of the site to be assessed in relation to information on its former condition.
     In addition to this, selected elements of a survey carried out by Heriot-Watt University (HWU) in 1999 on the dense aggregations of the horse mussel Modiolus modiolus within Kyle Akin were repeated. The aim was to directly compare the results from the two surveys to enable an assessment to be made on the condition of the M. modiolus bed.
     The following is a summary of the survey work carried out:
     MNCR phase 2 surveys along 6 transects comprising littoral (by shore worker) and sublittoral (by diver) sections and one sublittoral transect
     MNCR phase 2 surveys by diver at 9 spot locations
     estimates of frequency of occurence of dominant/characteristic taxa (by use of replicate quadrats) in biotopes of interest at above locations
     MNCR phase 2 surveys by ROV along 12 transects
     Modiolus bed surveys by ROV at 6 spot locations

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
2015 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Eribol sea caves site condition monitoring survey

The purpose of this survey of Loch Eriboll sea caves, undertaken on the 4th and 5th August 2015, was as a contingency while sheltering from strong winds on route to survey caves within the St. Kilda and North Rona SACs. 2 selected sea caves were surveyed using SCM methodology. These included both intertidal and
     subtidal components although monitoring effort was focussed on the subtidal. Detailed biological and physical surveys were conducted; the topography was mapped and the biotopes surveyed by MNCR phase 2 methodology at relocatable points along the cave system.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Sound of Arisaig SAC Site Condition Monitoring

The principal purpose of the study was to carry out site condition monitoring of the of the inshore sublittoral sediment habitats of the Sound of Arisaig SAC, in order to identify any deterioration in the condition of the subtidal sandbank feature and to form a judgement on its current condition. The approach taken to achieve this aim is to perform an extensive drop-down video survey and a grab survey of the component habitats of the feature. Characterisation of the subsurface fauna and sediment composition of the main sediment biotopes is performed by means of grab sampling. Detailed surveying of the sea bed and subsurface communities at selected maerl bed sites is carried out using diving techniques.

Organization: Marine Environmental Data & Information Network