AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Habitat point records from 1982 OPRU Skomer littoral survey

This report describes the major littoral habitats and selected special sites together with their communities around Skomer Island and the adjacent Marloes peninsula. The information is provided in a format suitable for inclusion in a management plan for a proposed statutory marine nature reserve. Sites were selected as being representative of as wide a range of habitats as possible and include bedrock and boulder shores of various aspects and water surge areas and caves. A total of 22 sites were surveyed. Descriptions of these sites together with summaries of their associated communities are given and discussed in this report. Field data is presented in Appendix 1 and annotated species lists are provided in Appendix 2. A photographic record of the sites and communities was also submitted to the NCC. A catalogue of photographs is given in Appendix 3. The findings of this report are discussed in the light of those of previous studies. The chief features of the survey area are: a) the presence of classic examples of shores extremely exposed to wave action; b) shores which provide an exceptionally wide variety of other habitats and communities, and; c) a number of unusual microhabitats, all within a relatively small geographic area. The occurance of several species in the survey area at or near the northern limits of their geographic range contributes to the scientific interest of the area. In the light of this survey, it is recommended that detailed surveys of special habitats and the production of comprehensive species lists should be the aim of any future work. The littoral zone of Skomer Marine Reserve is assessed for its value as a conservation area.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1984 Bunker/Hiscock Skomer sublittoral survey

This report summarises and discusses the results of surveys of habitats and communities from 90 previously unsurveyed or poorly described sites around Skomer Marine Reserve (SMR). Attention was given to sites deeper than 30 m below Chart Datum, and disturbed bedrock areas. Survey methods are described, including diving practice, recording and photographic techniques. Site locations, grid references and a site map are given, together with written site descriptions for each site (many of which include accompanying sketches). The habitat information collected is summarised with the aid of several maps. Included is an update of a map of habitat and community classification around Skomer, according to Hunnam (1976). This habitat information is also discussed. Communities present in broad habitat categories are described with the aid of diagrams and discussed. Species distributions and observations of interest are described and discussed. Following the analysis of results from the 1984 survey, a short section dealing with recommendations for future work is given. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1991 MNCR Ravenglass, Duddon & Ribble estuaries littoral survey

The Ribble, Duddon and Ravenglass estuary systems drain into the eastern basin of the Irish Sea. These estuaries have general west to east orientation which gives rise to a marked gradient of decreasing wave exposure with increasing distance east. In contrast, there is a salinity gradient of low salinity at the tidal limit in the east to near full salinity at the entrance of the estuary in the west. The Ribble Estuary has been extensively modified by man and receives a considerable anthropogenic input of waste material. In contrast, the Duddon and Ravenglass estuary systems are set in rural areas with little anthropogenic influence. Habitats within these estuaries are predominantly sedimentary with occassional small areas of small stones and shingle on the surface of the sediment. Hard substrata is restricted to man-made structures such as coast protection, training walls and railway bridges. Consequently, habitat diversity was low with only ten community types identified within the three estuarine systems. Communities on hard substrata had a low species richness and low abundance which was probably a consequence of low salinity, siltation and/or tidal scour. Sedimentary communities were characterised by infaunal species with few epibenthic species recorded. At the entrance to these estuaries, mobile medium and fine sand flats had a low species richness with occasional polychaetes and crustaceans. In the middle estuaries, sediment became muddier and species richness initially increased with infaunal communities characterised by polychaetes, burrowing crustaceans and bivalve molluscs. With increasing distance up the estuary towards the tidal limit, sediment changed to mud and the ambient salinity declined. Species richness of the infaunal community decreased, the communities were characterised by oligochaete worms and burrowing crustaceans. At the tidal limit, marine species richness declined to zero and freshwater species were recorded. Beware! the infauna has been entered in the epifauna window

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 MNCR minor south-coast inlets in England survey

The survey area was on the south coast of Britain, and was divided into four sections:- 1. the harbour and estuary at Yarmouth, at the western end of the Isle of Wight, 2. sections of the shore at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight, from King's Quay to Ryde Sands encompassing Wootton Creek, 3. the estuary at Lymington, on the north Solent shore, 4. the estuary of the River Adur at Shoreham-by-the-sea in West Sussex. The catchment areas of these inlets were primarily rural with some urban influence from the towns nearby. The exception to this was the estuary at Shoreham, which was primarily urban, with some industry on the shores of the lower estuary. All of the inlets concerned were influenced by impacts from the leisure industry, mostly from boating. Lymington in particular is a large yachting centre. Twenty-one sites were visited. All were surveyed littorally, and two were additionally surveyed sublittorally. The shores were all of sediment, as is most common in the English Channel east of Portland. They varied from very fine, silty mud at Lymington, Yarmouth, Wootton Creek and one site in the Adur estuary; to predominantly sand at King' Quay, Ryde Sands, and two sites within the Adur estuary. Three sites also had boulder and cobble shores, one in the estuary at Yarmouth, one at King's Quay, and one in the Adur estuary. One site at Yarmouth was of vertical stone wall, and one site at Lymington was of steeply sloping stone wall. Of the sites surveyed sublittorally, both had substrata of fine sandy mud, with hard substrata provided by wooden piles for mooring. The fauna and flora of the sites were mostly typical of estuarine sites on the south coast of Britain. Muddy substrata were dominated by polychaetes and oligochaetes, with few bivalves and amphipods; slightly sandier sites had more bivalves. Sandy sites were also dominated by polychaetes, but with more bivalves. The cobble sites had a limited variety of algae, with anemones, sponges, ascidians, barnacles, and a mussel bed on one site in the Adur. The nature conservation importance of the areas surveyed has been assessed, with sites and species considered to be of national, regional or local importance identified. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 MNCR Rockall survey

Rockall and its associated reefs are situated 306 km west of St Kilda on the Rockall Plateau, and are isolated from the shallow waters around Britain by the Rockall Trough, which reaches depths of over 3000 m. Marine biologically they are of particular interest as the marine communities are at the extreme wave exposed end of our currently perceived wave exposure scales, and their isolation prevents an effective barrier for colonisation by organisms with pelagic larvae. This survey was carried out in June 1988, in unusually calm weather. The survey team was based aboard the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland's Fishery Protection Vessel 'Norna'. Two littoral sites were surveyed on Rockall, and ten sublittoral sites on Rockall and the associated reefs. Previous studies on the marine biology of Rockall have suggested that its small size, isolation and extreme wave exposure have reduced the diversity of the littoral and sublittoral species present. The results of this survey suggest that this view still holds true and that the general impoverishment reflects the isolation and general wave exposure of the site. However, in the littoral, rock crevices and hollows under the encrusting red algae were found to harbour more animal species than the rock surfaces previously surveyed. Although it is generally the case that animals recorded from the littoral of Rockall do not have a pelagic dispersal phase, a small group of the barnacle Verruca stroemia were recorded on the rock, and the molluscs Hiatella and Modiolus within the algal crusts during this survey, indicating that settlement from a planktonic dispersal phase must be possible. The sublittoral of Rockall was richer than previously reported, although many algal species present at St Kilda were not recorded. Of the species recorded, some were found much deeper than expected, such as the brown alga Alaria esculenta which extended down to 33 m. The kelps Laminaria digitata and L.hyperborea were absent from Rockall and Hasselwood Rock, although they were recorded from Helen's Reef. This may be due to the greater availability of upward facing rock surfaces on Helen's Reef, which present an easier surface for colonisation than the predominantly vertical surfaces recorded around Rockall. This synopsis has been extracted from the field report. The final survey report has not yet been produced.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1991 MNCR Loch Bracadale (Skye) survey

This survey carried out to enhance the survey coverage of the 1988 MNCR survey of Skye (Hiscock & Covey 1991). This survey aimed to describe the habitats and communities of the littoral zone, and the infauna of sublittoral sediments, which were not considered in detail in the earlier survey. A survey report will not be produced but the results will be incorporated into the final sealochs report. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1991 MNCR Loch Laxford and Inchard 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. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1991 MNCR Dumfries & Galloway littoral survey

The inner Solway is an area of predominantly sedimentary substrata, with large expanses of mobile sediment and constantly migrating river channels from the Rivers Esk and Eden which enter the Firth at its head around Rockcliffe Marsh. Within the inner Solway, hard substrata is limited in extent, with scoured boulder scars in the south of the area and some true rocky shores fringing the sediment flats west of Sotherness Point. The coastline of the middle and upper reaches of the estuary is largely linear, with only Moricambe, the River Nith and the Rough Firth/Auchencairn Bay complex providing any variation. The west side of Auchencairn Bay marks the end of the sediment shores, giving way to predominantly rocky shoreline more characteristic of the outer Solway. The rocky coastline is only disrupted by large areas of sediment in Kirkudbright Bay, Fleet Bay and Wigtown Bay. From Burrow Head the coastline swings north-west into the vast Luce Bay, which extends to the Mull of Galloway. The bay is headed by Luce Sands which are over 8km long and backed by Torrs Warren, a broad area of sand dunes. In June 1991 survey work was completed on the north coast of the Solway Firth, between Luce Sands and Mullock Bay following reccomendations by Covey (1990). The inner Solway, from Maryport to Balcarry Point was surveyed in August 1991. Both surveys contributed to MNCR work in the north-east basin of the Irish Sea. Beware ! the infauna has been put in the epifauna window On the north coast of the outer Solway 17 littoral sites were surveyed and 83 habitats recorded. From the inner Solway 28 sites were surveyed and 91 habitats recorded. Using records collected on both surveys, 6 hard substrata, 5 mixed substrata and 4 soft substrata habitat/community types were described. Variations of the communities on the rocky shores were described from wave exposed/open coast sites and wave sheltered enclosed coast sites. Two facies of one sedimentary shore community were also identified. The rocky sites were predominantly barnacle and fucoid dominated with extensive mussel beds on the lower shores at some sites. At the more exposed sites Chthalamus montagui was the predominant as a band on the upper shore with Balanus balanoides and Fucus vesiculosus on the lower shore. More sheltered sites were characterised by Pelvetia canaliculata on the upper shore and Ascophyllum nodosum on the lower shore. Mixed substrata boulder scars were described according to their stability and the amount of sedimentary material binding the larger material: providing a matrix for polychaetes etc to colonise. Soft substratum communities and habitats split broadly into two groups; enclosed coast estuarine fine sands and muds, and open coast fine sands. Within these two splits, finer divisions occurred on the basis of stability and wave exposure, which affected the sediment composition and species presence/abundance.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1983 Smith Mull littoral survey

31 sites were surveyed on Mull. Further work is recommended, as Mull is a large area. The authors admit that algae, sponges, smaller crustacean and bryozoa in particular were under-recorded, with emphasis on mollusca. The area was divided into 3 parts for survey and assessment. North and west Mull was the richest for variety of habitats and species. Eastern Mull had least variety, with Ross of Mull in between. The authors suggest that eastern Mull has more affinities with the Firth of Lorne while north and west Mull are more Hebridean (?inner) in character. Asteria gibbosa was recorded from 5 stations in north-west Mull. An assessment of sites is given, bearing in mind the limitations of the survey:- Ross of Mull: Eiban Fheoir (Grade 2, possibly) - variety Loch Scridain Head (Grade 1) - wierd and interesting place; salinity varies and is a complex site. North and west Mull: Rubha Baile no h-Airde (Grade 1) - variety of pools and lagoons. Sound of Ulva (Grade 2) Calgary Bay and Rubha nan Oireau (Grade 2) Sgeir Dearg (Grade 2) - intertidal rock platforms. Calve Island - Doirlinn a Chailbhe (Grade 1) - Zostera bed and large bivalve molluscs. The authors consider that it would be of considerable importance to survey Ulva and Gometra. Site and species lists are appended, with abundances. The present survey was undertaken concurrent with a survey by divers, who concentrated on the north end of Mull and the Sound of Mull for logistic reasons - see R584 Bishop G.M. (1984). Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 NHM south-east England littoral chalk and greensand survey

A brief littoral survey of chalk shores in south-east England to enable comparisons to be drawn with previous surveys in these areas. No report prepared. NB: Many algal species recorded are not listed in the MCS Species Directory (Howson 1987) and so remain to be entered to the MNCR database.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1989 MNCR Whiteness Voe survey

Whiteness Voe was selected in 1987 as a Marine Consultation Area. The Voe was chosen as a representative site for one of the few voes in Shetland for which there was a presumption against fish farming. The seagrass beds and sediment-dwelling communities at the head of the voe were considered particulary important. The survey described here was undertaken to obtain more detailed information on the marine habitats and associated communities in the upper part of Whitness Voe and to use that information to further assess the nature conservation importance of the area. The work undertaken included surveys of the extent of seagrass Zostera marina and the description and mapping of sublittoral habitats and associated communities. Seven transects were surveyed using direct observation by diving and samples of sediment collected for analysis of infaunal communities from seven sites using a diver-operated suction sampler. One hundred and one taxa were recorded from in-situ surveys and 90 from the 0.1 m squared suction samples. Seven different habitats and associated communities were recognised. Species richness in upper Whiteness Voe was found to be high for such an enclosed area. The character of the habitats and associated communities was similar to only a very few other such sites investigated during NCC commissioned and other surveys in Shetland. The beds of seagrass Zostera marina were the most extensive known for Shetland. The 14 criteria used to assess marine nature conservation importance are discussed and a revised MCA citation proposed. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1989 MNCR Loch Sunart survey

This survey was undertaken to describe the range of habitats and associated communities of species in sublittoral areas of Loch Sunart and Loch Teacuis. Loch Sunart lies between the Ardnamurchan and Morvern Peninsulas on the west coast of Scotland. It is a narrow fiordic sea loch some 31 km long with six basins, with a greatest depth of 124 m below Chart Datum (BCD). Wave exposure varies from 'moderately exposed' to 'extremely sheltered'. 'Moderate' tidal streams occur within narrow sections of the loch. Shallow sublittoral habitats are predominantly steeply sloping bedrock and boulders with sediment in deeper water and in sheltered bays. Loch Teacuis bisects Morvern Peninsula entering the south shore of Loch Sunart via two narrow, shallow channels either side of the island of Carna. Three sills divide the loch into basins, the maximum depth is 31 m BCD. Loch Teacuis is 'extremely sheltered' from wave action, tidal streams are weak over the sills. Littoral habitats are predominantly rocky while sublittoral habitats are sedimentary with small stones in the narrows. A total of 82 habitats at 29 sites were surveyed. Analysis of these data produced 1 littoral and 15 sublittoral habitat and associated community types. Infralittoral habitats were dominated by kelp with a turf of foliose algae on rock surfaces below the kelp canopy. In the outer basin and in the outer narrows, the kelp Laminaria hyperborea was the dominant species. In more sheltered areas, the kelp Laminaria saccharina dominated infralittoral habitats. Circalittoral rock habitats in the outer basin and outer narrows were steeply sloping, vertical in places, and characterised by erect sponges, hydroids, anemones and sea squirts. Many species recorded are more characteristic of open coast habitats. In more sheltered areas, circalittoral bedrock and boulder habitats were characterised by the anemone Protanthea simplex and the brachipod Neocrania anomala with brittlestars, crustaceans and sea squirts also common. Extensive beds of the brittlestars Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiocomina nigra were recorded in areas of weak tidal flow. Sedimentary habitats in the outer loch and central narrows were predominantly sandy mud characterised by the sea pen Virgularia mirabilis and the burrowing anemone Cerianthus llyodii. In very sheltered areas, deep habitats were soft mud characterised by the sea whip Funiculina quadrangularis and the Dublin Bay prawn Nephrops norvegicus. The conservation importance of Loch Sunart and Loch Teacuis has been assessed according to 14 criteria. Habitats, associated communities and species have been provisionally assessed to be of international, national, regional or local importance. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1989 MNCR Mull of Galloway/Auchencairn littoral survey

The Solway Firth straddles the western border between Scotland and England, the southern shores lying in Cumbria, the northern shores in Dumfries and Galloway. The shores contrast with the predominantly sedimentary Cumbrian shores to the south and the fiordic coast of western Scotland to the north, with shores of mixed sedimentary and igneous boulders, sedimentary and igneous bedrock, and a range of clean mobile sands and less wave-exposed silty sands, adjacent to shallow water. The coastline of the area are largely unspoilt and natural, backed by farmland which is predominantly used as pasture grassland for dairying. 18 sites were surveyed on the open coast, frpm both rocky and sedimentary substrata and from these sites 13 habitat types were identified. Outer coasts were dominated by boulder and cobble substrata with occasional outcroppings of bedrock. Areas of mobile wave-exposed sand occurred around Luce Bay and on the lower shore at many sites. In more sheltered conditions boulders and cobbles were still the predominant hard substratum, with similar communities to those of the open coast. However sedimentary communities were richer in the more stable fine sand and silts, with a range of bivalves and polychaetes occurring. Beware! Infauna has been put in epifauna window Habitat diversity on the north coast of the outer Solway is low, though a more diverse range of habitats and a greater number of species was found than on the Cumbrian coast. Rocky substrata were present in greater quantity and the stability and finer particle size of sheltered sediment flats encouraged the development of richer infaunal communities than are present in the adjacent inlets of the Cumbrian coast. An assessment of the scientific interest and nature conservation importance of the habitats, communities and species is given. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee