AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Species point records from 1980 OPRU Lundy littoral rock & caves survey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1990 MNCR Rhos Point to New Brighton littoral survey

The coastline within the survey area is bordered by the heavily industrialised Mersey to the east and the more unspoilt North Wales coast to the west. The shores within the survey area are backed by sand dunes, shore defence works and urban developments. Sediment shores predominate and there are few sites where a rocky substratum extends down onto the lower shore. Sixteen sites were surveyed on both rocky and sedimentary substrata. A wide range of soft sediment habitat was present and four basic communities were recognised: Crustacean/Polychaete, Tellina (characterised by Spio martinensis), Arenicola and Echinocardium - siliqua (with Lanice conchilega being an important component species). There was a limited range of habitats from the hard substrata sites which, together with the isolated nature of the sites within the region and the heavy sediment influence in most habitats, has lead to a poor species diversity. Beware ! the infauna has been entered in the epifauna window The nature conservation importance of the area has been assessed pointing out those sites and species which might be considered of regional and national importance.

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

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

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1987 Loughborough University Poll Loisgann & Cull Lochain survey

Brief description of these 2 lochans and their marine life by snorkelling. Recommends the area as rich and diverse and that current salmon farming applications should be opposed, and trawling/dredging resisted. Recommends the extension of MNR boundaries to include the marine interest as a MNR. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1977 UCNW Bardsey Island survey

Detailed littoral and sublittoral survey of fauna and flora of Bardsey Island carried out in order to determine whether Bardsey warrents consideration as a PMNR. Faunal and floral data was recorded as either presence/absence or on a 3 - 4 point abundance scale. The island's shores and sublittoral were very current swept and exposed to wave action, except for limited shelter at Henllwyn. Shore fauna and flora was generally comparable to other exposed shores on west Anglesey. No actual changes in littoral fauna could be discerned from these recorded by Pyefinch (1943). However, the alga Nemalion helminthoides recorded by Jones (1978) was absent at the time of this survey, but this species is known to be of sporadic occurrence in north Wales. Dosya hatchinsiae was found in 1977, but was not recorded in 1955. Sublittoral sampling was carried out using transects, and spot dives, and recording prominent species on an abundance scale. Algal cover was extremely dense as a result of good water clarity. A number of 'southern' species were found. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

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

Fifty-eight species of benthic marine algae and 1 marine lichen are recorded. A range of communities colonising supralittoral, upper littoral and lower littoral levels was detected at Abbot's Cliff; midlittoral algal communities were largely absent due to wave-exposure. Midlittoral and lower littoral communities were particularly well developed at Shakespeare Cliff. Different communities were detected on the Gault central area foreshore.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1988 Rostron Scilly Isles sublittoral sediment survey

Past survey work in the Isles of Scilly has shown the area to be of high biological and conservation interest because of the variety of habitats and species present. This survey was carried out in order to obtain more information about subtidal sediments and communities, especially from sites not previously examined, and to enable some clarification of habitat and community distributions. Fieldwork took place in September 1988. Work was completed at 15 sites, which were well spaced around the archipelago. A team of divers used an airlift suction sampler to obtain sea bed samples for biological analysis and also took core samples for sediment particle size analysis. Habitat features were recorded in situ. In the laboratory, animals from each sample were identified and data recorded in tabular form. Sediment particle size analyses were carried out by a combination of dry sieving techniques and the use of a Malvern 2600 laser particle sizer. Descriptions of each site were prepared based on the data obtained. Similarity between sites was found to be very low. The number of taxa found in samples showed wide variation. Although in some cases, population distributions appeared to be strongly linked to sediment characteristics, some taxa were apparently randomly distributed throughout the survey area. On coarse sediments, distinct divisions into community types were inappropriate. However, the composition of benthic communities within fine sediments showed less variation, and species present were more predictable. Some of the shallow subtidal areas are rich and potentially vulnerable. It would be useful to have more regular data from specific sites within these areas. The Isles of Scilly sediments are of high nature conservation importance. The habitat overall has a number of unique features which result in the communities present being different and interesting. In addition, the area is almost entirely unspoilt by human activities at the present time.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1990 MNCR Loch Sunart sediment survey

This survey was carried out to enhance the survey coverage of the 1989 MNCR survey of Loch Sunart (Davies 1990). 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. The survey report has not yet been completed.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Species point records from 1985 BMNH Kent & Sussex littoral chalk-cliff algal survey

Algal habitats and communities on the chalk cliff coastline of Kent and Sussex were assessed by direct observation. Summarised accounts of the main observations are presented. Due to the geological characteristics of upper chalk, habitat and algal communities are best developed on the Isle of Thanet. Communities are relatively rarely present elsewhere in Kent and Sussex. However, only 8% (less than 2 km) of the Thanet coastline remain as natural chalk cliff. Because of the unique algal vegetation, it is strongly recommended that the remaining lengths of natural chalk cliff habitat be assigned conservation status and further coastal development be strongly opposed.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 MNCR Saltburn to Flamborough Head 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 1993 MNCR Newbiggin to Saltburn 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.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 MNCR Shetland Braer oil spill survey

Littoral and Sublittoral field surveys were carried out between 25 February and 2 March 1993 around the vicinity of the Braer oil tanker grounding. The aim was to provide a rapid assesment of the oil's impact on the marine benthos of the area with a view to suggesting where future work should be carried out. Nine sublittoral and 14 littoral sites were surveyed using standard MNCR techniques, with additional attention being paid to recording noticeable effects from oil pollution, absence of species which would be expected in particular habitats, fish numbers, and collection of sediment biota for possible hydrocarbon analysis by SOAFD. The effects of the oil spill on the littoral biota appeared very limited in geographical extent, with minimal noticeable difference to expected rocky shore community structure beyond 4 Km of the wreck site. The littoral zone of Garths Ness itself was the most heavily impacted as would be expected, with a high mortality of patellid limpets and littorinids. To the east, in Bay of Quendale, obvious effects were more limited, though there appeared still to be a reduction in the numbers of Patella vulgata and littorinids. Littoral algae and lichens appear unnaffected, with no visible signs of damage such as bleaching. Littoral sediments close to the wreck site occur only in the Bay of Quendale, where extreme sediment mobility results in a very impoverished Crustacean-Polychaete community (Howson 1988). Samples collected from these sediments indicated an absence of any biota. Sublittoral surveys on rock and sediment indicated variation in the extent of damage. Rocky sublittoral areas surveyed within 4 Km of the wreck showed no obvious signs of damage. There was a noticeable absence of fish species but whether this is attributable to the oil spill is not clear. Other elements of the biota appeared to be unnafected, with numerous urchins grazing coralline algae encrusted bedrock, and a sparse kelp zone showing no signs of bleaching. In the same vicinity however, sublittoral sediments showed gross effects, with major mortality of bivalves such as Ensis sp. and Spisula solida, and no other biota observed. This gross effect on sediment biota was still apparent in West Voe, some 20 Km north of the wreck, but was not noted in sites further north towards the head of Clift sound.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 MNCR Saltburn to Flamborough Head 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.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 AES south-east Scotland sublittoral sediment 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