AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Habitat point records from 1990 MNCR Crosby to Fleetwood littoral survey

The survey area is the eastern shore of Liverpool Bay, and consists of an almost unbroken expanse of sandy beaches. The area is bounded to the north by Morecambe Bay and to the south by the Mersey estuary, and is split into two by the broad inlet of the Ribble estuary. There are no outcrops of bedrock in the survey area, which consists entirely of glacial and alluvial sediments, fine sand predominating in most areas, but also including isolated patches of boulders and cobbles. The Fylde coast, to the north of the Ribble, is heavily used for recreational purposes, whilst the Ribble estuary and Merseyside foreshore to the south experience less disturbance and are protected by an unbroken series of sites of nature conservation importance with statutory designations. Fifteen sites were surveyed in Spetember 1990, chiefly sampling littoral sediments, but also including natural and artificial hard substrata where these were present. The open Fylde coast supported an impoverished crustacean/polychaete community in mobile fine sand, whilst the open Merseyside coast held a similar community in the upper shore and a much richer community characterised by bivalve molluscs in more stable mid and low shore sand. The outer Ribble and Mersey estuaries held sediment communities typical of such physiographic conditions, consisting of fairly stable fine sand with some silt, and supporting communities characterised by the baltic tellin Macoma balthica, and, in the Ribble, the cockle Cerastoderma edule. The Ribble, and to a lesser extent the Wyre estuary at Fleetwood, also held muddier sediments subject to low and variable salinities, and these contained a community characterised by the polychaete worm Hediste diversicolor and the bivalve mollusc Scrobicularia plana. Natural hard substrata were only found on the Fylde coast and in the Ribble estuary, where boulder and cobble scars were dominated and stabilised by mussels (Mytilus edulis), with abundant barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides) also characteristic. A similar, though impoverished community was found on consolidated clay and boulder exposures near Cleveleys. Beware! the infauna has been entered in the epifauna window Artificial substrata such as pier pilings, groynes and concrete structures were present at a small number of sites and were also dominated by M.edulis, but had a reduced diversity combined with a high biomass. Habitat diversity in the survey area is very limited, with the result that community and species diversity is also reduced compared with most other littoral areas of the same size. The nature conservation importance of the whole area, the communities and the species recorded have been provisionally assessed. One community was considered to be of regional importance, and a further five were considered to be of local importance. No species found during the survey were considered to be of particular conservation importance, all being widespread in similar physiographic conditions in the region.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1983 Dyrynda Fleet lagoon sublittoral survey

The report describes a survey of the Fleet lagoon and Portland Harbour. Investigations in the sublittoral cover the sediments, salinity, temperature, the general environment and subtidal communities. Information up to 1984 on the Fleet is reviewed. A full species list is given. There is a most apparent contrast between the biological communities of the lagoonal basin and the link-channel zone. The former is dominated by eel grass and most previous work with the lagoon has focused here. The subtidal communities of the link-channel zone were examined at a series of eight stations.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1997 MNCR Sanday (Orkney) littoral survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1997 MNCR Sanday (Orkney) sublittoral survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 OPRU HRE Taf, Tywi & Gwendraeth Estuaries survey

The estuaries of the Taf, Tywi and Gwendraeth are known locally as the `Three rivers` as they converge and enter into Camarthen Bay in South West Wales through a common mouth. The rivers drain agricultural catchments of 246, 1335 and 175 km2, respectively, and the underlying rocks are, for the most part slightly acidic. Of the three river estuaries, the Tywi is the larger at over 20 km in length. The Taf and Tywi are both typical coastal plain estuaries and the Gwendraeth is a bar-built estuary formed by the north westerly movement of sand from the Pembrey coast dune system. All three estuaries are presently undergoing substantial infilling by marine sediments originating from Camarthaen Bay and as a result are shallow and drain almost completely at low tide. Tidal flows within the system and in particular in the Taf and Tywi, are of considerable strength and the tidal wave symmetry is distorted producing a longer ebb than flood. This report describes the habitats and associated communities at twenty-one sites surveyed in the study area; eighteen intertidal sites and three dredge sites from the main channels. Species present have been identified and tabulated. Hard substrata communities are not well represented in the `Three Rivers` and those examples occuring are markedly sand scoured and support depauperate communities. Sedimentary habitats dominate the system, and there is a gradation of sand flats to mudflats from the mouth to the upper estuaries. The lower shore flats are generally unstable environments being subject to large tidal salinity fluctuations and strong tidal currents. More stable sand flats are found on the upper middle shore with considerably richer communities. Mussel scars occur at three sites in the system and are subject to scouring losses. Both mussels and cockles are collected commercially on a small scale and some netting also occurs. Mussel culture is presently being evaluated in the Gwendraeth Estuary. The Taf and Tywi have naturally low oxygen levels in their estuaries at times of continued fine weather, low river discharges and spring tides. These are compounded in the Tywi by effluent from a large sewage treatment works which significantly increases the biological oxygen demand (B.O.D.). The `Three Rivers` are flanked by Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the east, west and north. Notification of these was for the sand dune flora and fauna and maritime cliff communities. The south shore of the Gwendraeth, including Towyn Point, and Salmon Point Scar are the only marine habitats protected by the designations. The area is also of nature conservation interest for the populations of migrant and over-wintering waterfowl. Several species reach levels of National Importance, though they are not afforded any other specific site protection at the present time. rivers

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 OPRU HRE Taw and Torridge Estuary survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1986-87 OPRU HRE Helford River survey

The Helford River is a small marine inlet in south Cornwall which was formed by the flooding of a river valley subsequent to the last ice age. Historically the waterway has long been associated with human activities, providing a trade route for the surrounding villages and towns. At the present time however, activities are largely of a recreational nature, although some oyster farming and fishing still takes place. For several decades, the Helford River has been visited by collectors and scientists who were interested in the marine biota found in the vicinity. The biological reputation of the area grew, and was recognized by the Nature Conservancy Council as a result of there programme of intertidal surveys which took place during the 1970's. Since then, however, there has been a distinct deterioration in the quality of the majority of intertidal habitats and communities found within the Helford River, concentrating on sublittoral habitats, and to assess the nature conservation importance of the area using standard criteria. Survey work consisted of in situ recording of conspicuous species and collection of sediment samples for biological analysis, by using a pipe dredge and also a suction sampler. Abundances of conspicuous species were defined by the use of abundance scales and the information obtained was directly comparable to that for other areas. Sediment samples were sieved over a 1 mm mesh. Animals were picked out, identified and counted. Photographs were taken during fieldwork to illustrate habitats, communities and species. Habitats and communities present were classified into seven intertidal types and twenty subtidal types each of which is described. The distribution of habitats and communities is discussed, and for selected areas, the present biological data have been compared with ealier records. Features of the Helford River have been compared with those of other marine inlets. Communities have been provisionally graded as of Local, Regional, National or International conservation importance. It is generally acknowledged that many of the communities have been damaged and the assessment takes no account of their former condition. However, the recent designation of the Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Area creates a potential for the rehabilitation of affected habitats. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1978-79 PCT Clyde Sea littoral survey

Raw data in the literature report is considered to be no's per sixteenth m-2. Small worms, listed at the bottom of each data table, were sampled and processed separately and therefore omitted from input data values. This survey was intended to provide information about the relative biological richness of the different types of littoral habitat present in the Clyde Sea Area. Principle objectives: 1. to provide information about the relative biological richness of the many different shores within the C.S.A. and to attempt to zone the shores according to their biological richness, amenity value, degree of pollution, accessibility and other attributes; 2. to tie in as closely as possible with work to be done by the M.B.A./S.M.B.A. Site descriptions are provided for 42 rocky shore sites and 48 sedimentary shore sites. For the rocky shores a list of 10 areas of particular biological, or other, interest has been compiled from sites visited by this survey, from other data and from study of maps. The areas are listed with reasons for their inclusion. The principal shore types of the C.S.A. are the sea loch shores - rock or boulder. Open coast shores are fewer in number and so good examples of these are in greater need of protection within the C.S.A. than are the sea loch shores. For the sedimentary shores, generally the sea lochs are well populated and diverse and being reasonably sheltered, there is a tendancy towards sessile polychaete and bivalve populations. In all, five species of polychaete worm were found which previously had not been recorded from the Clyde - Exogone hebes, Audouinia tentaculata, Paraonis fulgens, Aonides oxycephala and Streblospio shrubsoli. In the course of the survey there was very little direct evidence of pollution, except at the Gare Loch and Gourock Bay, but it is also likely that considerable areas of the Ayreshire coast are being subjected to an increasing organic load. The sea lochs also receive quantities of untreated sewage and waste materials (military and commercial) but at present this does not appear to be having a damaging effect. Proposed Conservation Areas: 1. Kyles of Bute/Loch Riddon/Loch Striven/Ardlamont Point. 2. South Arran, (The Cleats) around Bennan Head. 3. Saint Ninian's Point, Bute. 4. Ailsa Craig. 5. Carradale Point, Kintyre. 6. Corsewall Point, Galloway. 7. Loch Goil. 8. Garroch Head and South Bute. 9. Port Ann, Loch Fyne. 10. Culzean Castle and Turnberry Light, Ayrshire.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1987 OPRU HRE Avon and Erme Estuaries littoral survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 OPRU HRE Camel Estuary littoral survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 OPRU HRE Hayle Estuary littoral survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1994 MNCR north and east mainland Scotland lagoon survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1994 MNCR North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist lagoon survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1994 MNCR Orkney lagoons survey

This survey was carried out as part of the Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR). The MNCR was started in 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequent to the Environment Protection Act 1990, was undertaken by JNCC on behalf of the conservation agencies up to its completion in 1998. The MNCR was initiated to provide a comprehensive baseline of information on marine habitats and species, to aid coastal zone and sea-use management and to contribute to the identification of areas of marine natural heritage importance throughout Great Britain. Data collected through the MNCR was stored in the Marine Recorder database, and has been extracted from Marine Recorder to produce this dataset. For more details, see http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1596.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 OPRU HRE Teign Estuary survey

The Teign estuary is situated on the south coast of Devon and opens into Babbacombe Bay. The estuary runs west to east for some 6.5km from Newton Abbot to the head, to Teignmouth on the northern shore, and Shaldon, on the southern shore, at the mouth. The estuary has a moderate freshwater input, and strong tidal flows are set up in the lower estuary. These flows have scoured a deep pit (9m below chart datum) at the mouth of the estuary. The dominant substrata are soft sediments, these are coarse in nature at the mouth, with an increasing proportion of mud as one moves up the estuary. Hard substrata occur at the mouth of the estuary as the bedrock shores of the Ness, and as cobbles and boulders in the scour pit and at various upper shore sites in the mid-upper estuary. The railway embankment, training wall and the quays provied artificial hard substrata. The area is very popular with tourists and small boat users. The Teign is one of the few south-western estuaries where water skiing and powerboat racing are permitted. Teignmouth is also an important fishing port, with near, and mid-distance trawlers using it as a base. Within the estuary shell fish and oysters and mussels are cultivated, and salmon, trout and bass are taken seasonally by netting. There are few previous marine biological studies which have sampled from the Teign. Twenty-seven intertidal, two sub-tidal diving and seven sub-tidal dredge sites were surveyed. These were categorised into nineteen intertidal and eight sub-tidal communities which are described. Species lists are tabulated. The bend at the mouth provides an abrupt change from exposed to sheltered conditions at the mouth. The bedrock shore at the Ness is moderately rich, and similar to other bedrock shores in the region. The most diverse communities occured on the scoured boulders on Shaldon Pool, where the combination of degree of scour, and the substrate, is probably unique to the Teign. The hard substrate adjacent to the Shaldon Bridge and the lower shore community on the Salty were also diverse. In the mid and upper estuary typical estuarine communities dominate. The scientific interest and conservation importance of the area has been assessed using standard criteria, and the conservation importance of habitats and communities in the area have been provisionally graded as Local, Regional or National Importance. No habitats or communities of National Importance were identified. The rock pools of the Ness, the lower estuary hard substrata lower shore assemblages, the Lanice beds and pools on the salty and the sublittoral communities in the pit off Den Point were identified as being of particular scientific interest or conservation importance.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee