AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Species point records from 1978 Smith Wester Ross littoral mollusc survey

Descriptions of the main features of 20 sites between Little Loch Broom and Loch Hourn. Chiefly covered with mollusca. Recording cards and mollusca species lists are appended. Photographs (zeroxes) are given of each site. Many photographs of Ob Meallaidh, which was by far the most interesting site. Of the others, the most interesting were: An t-Saothair, Loch Thurnaig, Loch Diabaig, Achintraid and Bagh an t-Straidh. Crania anomala was found in Ob Meallaidh. Lochs include Little Loch Broom, Loch Ewe, Gairloch, Torridon, Kishorn, Alsh, Hourn, Canor. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1987 Heriot-Watt University Loch Moidart littoral survey

A survey of the intertidal area of SSSI at Loch Moidart, Ardnamurchan, for NCC Scotland, particularly the area likely to be affected by a proposed mussel farm development. The notification of this site includes tidal mudflats. The survey concentrates mainly on algal communities which are described. Only superficial observations of animals were possible. Conclusion: the North Channel is by far the richest of the sites surveyed, but still has poor flora compared with an open coast site. No rare species were found. The area as a whole is interesting, comprising a saltmarsh adjoining a typical sealoch habitat, with extensive mudflats culminating in estuarine algal communities. The area with the adjoining SSSI forms an unspoilt natural habitat of scientific interest and natural beauty.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1982-85 NCC Loch Sween littoral habitats review

Loch Sween is one of several areas in the British Isles under investigation as a potential marine nature reserve, and a number of surveys have been carried out in recent years to collect information on littoral and sublittoral habitats, communities and species in the area. As well as recent surveys, Loch Sween has attracted much interest from marine biologists from as early as the 1900's, because of some special features. This report provides a review of the main work done in the littoral, and summary descriptions of the major littoral habitat and community types. The main features of the loch system, its geology, topography and hydrography are outlined, and their effects on habitats and communities present. A review of previous littoral studies in the area is given, with their major findings and conclusions. As well as a number of surveys of shore biota, marine biological investigations have also centred on the potential of some of the 'arms' of the loch system (particularly Linne Mhuirich) for shellfish farming. Some experiments on fertilisation of the water have been performed in Loch Craiglin. The major habitats in the area are littoral bedrock, boulders, pebbles and sediments at a range of exposure to wave action and tidal streams. Two brackish water lochans and a small rapids system are also present, and plant and animal communities in these various habitats are described briefly, including sediment infauna. Features of interest in the littoral are discussed, including aspects of zonation, the distribution of particular species and the diversity of communities and species in the Loch Sween area. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1984 OPRU Upper Loch Sween littoral survey

Loch Sween is one of 7 locations identified in Great Britain as proposed statutory marine reserves. In order to provide information to assist in management of these areas, basic survey work to describe littoral and sublittoral habitats and communities is being carried out. This report presents results from a littoral survey of Upper Loch Sween, and an assessment of scientific interest and nature conservation importance of the sites surveyed. Sites were selected to include areas likely to be of high conservation importance and a range of shore types. Most sites were located in Linnhe Mhuirich or around the rapids area at the entrance to Linnhe Mhuirich, with several additional sites in Caol Scotnish and on the west shores of Loch Sween. Two small brackish-water lakes were also examined. A brief description of the habitats and main biotic subzones present at each survey site is given. Plants and communities present in the survey area are classified into types according to habitat and height on the shore, and described in more detail using posted data from similar sites. An assessment of scientific interest and nature conservation importance of the shores at the sites surveyed was limited to the littoral subzone and sublittoral fringe, and it was considered that sublittoral populations are likely to be of more interest. The international, national, regional or local importance of sites was not assessed since this requires more detailed knowledge of other locations, particularly on the west coast of Scotland. Criteria used were applied in the sense of the NCC 'Handbook for the Preparation of Management Plans'. The main points in the assessment were: 1) The sites surveyed showed a generally low diversity of shore types, species and habitats, which was largely attributable to the very sheltered nature of all sites surveyed. Diversity of species increased greatly at and below low water. 2) The shores are good, with extensive examples of sheltered sea-loch communities and growth forms present, and as such may be useful for specialised research and education. However, the sublittoral fringe at many sites, particularly the Linnhe Mhuirich Rapids area, has many large or delicate growth forms which could be easily damaged by trampling. 3) Several species of plants and animals of scientific interest were recorded. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1985 Smith Loch Sween littoral survey

Loch Sween is situated on the east side of the Sound of Jura, in south-west Scotland. It opens to the south-west and its mouth is partially protected by the small MacCormaig Isles. The main body of the loch is relatively straight, with a fringe of rocks or gravel giving way to a sandy or muddy seabed. There are a number of arms to the loch which add considerably to the diversity of habitats present. Linne Mhuirich forms an arm to the west, with a constricted mouth into Loch Sween forming an area of tidal rapids. At the head of the loch, arms include the silled Caol Scotnish. Adjacent to Loch Sween, once connected to it but now separated by causeway, is Loch na Cille. Loch Sween has been proposed as a Marine Nature Reserve by NCC on account of the high scientific interest and conservation importance of the habitats and communities within the loch. Although a site of historical marine biological recording and research, NCC commissioned extensive systematic littoral and sublittoral surveys in 1982. Further information was required on the distribution and types of littoral habitats and communities present to assess the relative importances of individual areas and the integrated importance of the whole loch. The aims of the shore surveys in 1985 were; to investigate the shores around Ceann an t-Sailein; to assess any temporal variation in faunal communities, particularly molluscan, in the Linne Mhuirich area; and to describe the shores of Loch na Cille. Survey work was carried out during spring and autumn visits. Descriptions of all the sites are included in the report, which also contains a detailed species list and tables showing the numbers of Mollusca associated with algae. The discussion is limited to a summary of the more important information found during the spring surveys. The report concludes that Ceann an t-Sailein adds another habitat type (a shallow tidal bay with a clay floor) to those already known in Loch Sween. Several community types were recorded from the sediment shores. Further variability in molluscan populations was noted but showed no clear pattern which could be related to seasonality. Several mollusc species new to Loch Sween were recorded. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1982 Smith Lewis littoral survey

This report of a survey carried out under contract to the NCC, describes the shores of Lewis from Mealista on the west coast, north to the Butt of Lewis and south down the east coast as far as the Eye Peninsula, east of Stornaway. Full descriptions of the 33 stations visited are given and excerpts from Powell et al. (1979) included where these also describe the same sites. The area covered in the report is very large, some 150 km of coast excluding the Loch Roag complex. Apart from Loch Roag, the shores are mostly open, exposed to extremely exposed and except in their detail show little variety. Loch Roag, by contrast, is largely sheltered and has a great variety of habitats, rocky shores, various sediments, rapids, lagoons and brackish areas. The rocks are predominantly Lewisian Gneiss which restricts crevice and soft rock fauna. All littoral species which could be identified were recorded, but the list is weighted towards Mollusca. Attention is drawn towards species of particular significance for being at or near the limit of their range. It is noted that autumn populations of mollusca were more diverse and contained higher populations of animals than spring populations. The very exposed and most sheltered shores had the lowest diversity and, normally, lowest numbers of animals, and normally the sheltered sites were the most prolific. The author considers that Lewis is shown by the survey to be as rich and interesting as the more southern isles, and following upon Powell (1979), indicates that some areas are worthy of the highest conservation interest. An appraisal of the biological interest and importance of the shores of the Lewis area is made by the author, the coast being divided into regions. Of these, Loch Roag was found to be extremely rich and interesting in the intertidal, more so than other parts of Lewis with the possible exception of Loch Erisort (Smith, 1982). Judged as one of the most interesting and important areas in western Scotland with its great variety of habitat and high diversity of mollusca, it was assessed as Grade 1+. The coast south-west of Loch Roag is one of the most exposed in the Outer Hebrides, isolated, with an irregular coastline and interesting hanging saltmarsh at the tops of the cliffs. This region is assessed as Grade 1-2 for exposure and wildnerness. The north-west coast of Lewis is a uniform area of coastline which was assessed with reservations as Grade 2. The east coast of Lewis comprised several contrasting zones, much not of any especial importance. Port Skigersta is assessed as Grade 3 and Melbost Point as Grade 1. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1984 Bishop Scilly Isles Echinus population study

Echinus esculentus is the subject of a small scale commercial fishery in the Isles of Scilly. Collection is by diving during the winter months, and during 1983/84 it is estimated that a total of 71,000 to 83,000 individuals were taken from three shallow sublittoral areas. This report presents the results of a survey of selected E esculentus populations in the Isles of Scilly during September 1984. 7 areas were sampled, 3 of which are categorised as fished, and 4 as unfished. Within these 7 sampling areas, 28 dives were made and locations recorded with a sighting compass. The mean site density of urchins ranged from 0.09/m2 to 0.56/m2, with an overall mean of 0.36/m2. There was no difference in density between fished and unfished sites. Individual diameters of E. esculentus ranged from 61 mm to 143 mm with an overall site mean of 103.98 mm. No recruitment of juveniles was noted, and all populations examined are senescent. Density and size structure of the populations of E. esculentus examined in the Isles of Scilly compare closely to results from other locations in south-west Britain. This does not necessarily suggest that there are no noticeable effects of fishing on the Scilly urchin populations, since many of these other locations have experienced collecting in the recent past. However at present there is no evidence of differing population characteristics in Scilly when comparing fished and unfished areas.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1986 Bishop Scilly Isles Echinus population study

Echinus esculentus, normally the subject of a small scale commercial fishery in the Isles of Scilly during the winter months, was not collected during the winter of 1985/86. This report presents the results of the third survey of selected Echinus esculentus populations in the Isles of Scilly, which took place during September 1986. These are compared with data from the same sites obtained during September 1984 and 1985. Seven areas were sampled, four of which are classified as unfished and three as fished sites. Within each of the seven areas, sampling sites were located as closely as possible to those studied in the 1985 survey. The mean density of urchins ranges from 0.05/m2 to 0.49/m2. Within the precision of the methodology, these figures compare exactly to the range measured in 1985 (0.05/m2 to 0.40/m2). There is no significant difference in the density of urchins between fished and unfished sites. The mean diameter of E. esculentus ranged from 95 mm to 122 mm with an overall site mean of 105+2 mm (n = 12). This compares with a slightly lower and smaller range of 92 mm to 112 mm during 1985, but a similar overall site mean of 104+2 mm (n = 10). The mean diameter of urchins at unfished sites was smaller than that of fished sites (98+1, n = 4 and 107.6+2, n = 8 respectively), which was also true in both 1984 and 1985. No major physical changes have affected the sites since 1984, and the dominant fauna and flora appear to be unchanged. There is still no evidence of juvenile or young adult individuals (size <5 cm diameter) at the monitoring sites, although it is believed that juveniles are present at deeper sites which cannot be dived or remotely sampled within the remit of the present contract.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1982-83 Bullimore Skomer sublittoral monitoring

A simple, cheap, system has been designed and built which facilitates underwater stereophotography with a single Nikonos camera and standard lens. A monitoring station on the north-east coast of Skomer Island (Dyfed, Wales) with permanent sites at 10, 20 and 25 m below Chart Datum was established during the spring of 1982. The four sites have been stereophotographically sampled at intervals since July 1982. The epibenthic communities present at the sites are briefly described and major changes between 1982 and 1983 documented. The limitations of the stereophotographic system and other techniques employed are identified and recommendations made for improvements.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1985 Dyrynda Poole Harbour (north) sublittoral survey

This assessment provides a general synthesis of the results of three surveys, which together have covered all areas of the subtidal Harbour bed. It is also designed to serve as a baseline, according to which any changes concerning species or areas of particular interest can be identified by resurveying. The surveys were conditioned by the NCC, with additional funding and practical support from various authorities, industries and individuals concerned with the Harbour. The primary objective of this work is to provide an independent source of factual information of practical value in the context of Environmental Management within the Harbour. To this end, the report has been prepared for users concerned with various aspects of the Harbour and representing a wide range of scientific experience. Seperate sections, written in non-scientific and scientific language respectively, contain descriptions of the hydrography, and the substrates and biological communities of the Harbour bed. These have also been considered with respect to their environmental significance, and whether they have been affected by human activities, particularly navigation, reclamation, fisheries, pollution, or the introduction of alien species. The interdependences between natural and human aspects of the subtidal system are considered in the context of Environmental Management, and particularly the prospects for maintaining or improving natural environmental quality. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1992 SWW Tamar Estuary sublittoral sediment survey

In September 1992, a study was undertaken by Marine Biological and Chemical Consultants, on behalf of South West Water to investigate the sediments and benthic fauna of the River Tamar in the vicinity of SWW sewage outfalls at Ernesettle, Saltash, Camels Head and West Hoe. Multiple grab samples were taken by boat at each of seventeen stations on the 24th and 25th of September, 1992. Subsequent analyses included faunal identification combined with various sediment parameters (particle size distribution, heavy metal concentrations, bacteriological and viral loading and organic carbon content). The present study forms part of a wider study under the Plymouth Marine Scheme and is intended as a baseline survey prior to the upgrading of existing treatment works and the possible relocation of existing outfalls.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species 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
Species 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
Species 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