AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Habitat point records from 1991 MNCR inner Solway Firth 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. Beware ! the infauna has been entered in the epifauna window 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. 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 1991 MNCR Lune Deep sublittoral survey

The sublittoral hard substrata between Morecambe Bay and Whitehaven was surveyed in 1991 as part of the survey of the north-eastern coast of the Irish Sea for the MNCR. This part of the coast is predominantly sedimentary both in the littoral and sublittoral. The coastline south of Whitehaven to the Isle of Walney is generally linear except for the indentations of the Ravenglass and Duddon estuaries. The Isle of Walney is a barrier island which protects the sheltered waters of the Walney Channel to the east. The extensive sand flats of Morecambe Bay are cut by the Lune Deep which stretches south-westwards from the entrance of the Wyre Channel. Only isolated areas of hard substrata are present in the sublittoral. The most extensive area is the Lune Deep, a glacially formed kettle hole with steep boulder and cobble sides. Smaller areas of rock are present at St Bees Head, where there is outcropping bedrock. More characteristic of the region are the glacial boulder scars found littorally and sublittorally along the open coast and in the Walney Channel. Eighteen sublittoral sites were surveyed on the hard substrata. Seven hard substrata communities were identified from four seperate survey areas: St Bees Head with its exposed sand scoured communities; the rich flora and fauna of an exposed boulder scar at Selker Rocks; the sheltered tide swept scar at Head Scar in the Walney Channel, and the dense hydroid and bryozoan turf in the Lune Deep. Three sediment communities associated with these regions are briefly described. Two hundred and six taxa were identified from the surveys.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1991 MNCR Cumbria sublittoral survey

The sublittoral hard substrata between Morecambe Bay and Whitehaven was surveyed in 1991 as part of the survey of the north-eastern coast of the Irish Sea for the MNCR. This part of the coast is predominantly sedimentary both in the littoral and sublittoral. The coastline south of Whitehaven to the Isle of Walney is generally linear except for the indentations of the Ravenglass and Duddon estuaries. The Isle of Walney is a barrier island which protects the sheltered waters of the Walney Channel to the east. The extensive sand flats of Morecambe Bay are cut by the Lune Deep which stretches south-westwards from the entrance of the Wyre Channel. Only isolated areas of hard substrata are present in the sublittoral. The most extensive area is the Lune Deep, a glacially formed kettle hole with steep boulder and cobble sides. Smaller areas of rock are present at St Bees Head, where there is outcropping bedrock. More characteristic of the region are the glacial boulder scars found littorally and sublittorally along the open coast and in the Walney Channel. Eighteen sublittoral sites were surveyed on the hard substrata. Seven hard substrata communities were identified from four seperate survey areas: St Bees Head with its exposed sand scoured communities; the rich flora and fauna of an exposed boulder scar at Selker Rocks; the sheltered tide swept scar at Head Scar in the Walney Channel, and the dense hydroid and bryozoan turf in the Lune Deep. Three sediment communities associated with these regions are briefly described. Two hundred and six taxa were identified from the surveys. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1991 MNCR Loch Long (Lochalsh) littoral survey

This rapid survey was undertaken to supplement observations from Loch Long in Connor 1989 (CSD Report 977, MNCR Report SR/010) and particulary to investigate distribution of species on hard substrata in relation to the lowered salinity which eists along Loch Long. The flora and fauna present on hard substrata along Loch Long clearly reflects the salinity gradient. Effects of very low salinity at the head of the loch are less marked than expected with Fucus ceranoides confined to streams. The Fucus muscoides bed was very well developed. The apparently very dense population of Mya arenaria in the sand and sandy mud of the delta at the head of the loch is notable if only because extensive pure sediments areunusual in sealochs.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1992 MNCR Deben and Ore 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 1974 ITE Shetland littoral rock survey

Coastal Habitats - Physical Characteristics - Part 6.1: A set of non-selective regular sampling points on the coast of Shetland were investigated and this report gives a method to generalise from these to other points of interest using clearly repeatable criteria. The aim of this exercise was to `provide a classification of the Shetland coast using these criteria to provide a sampling and intellectual framework for describing the coastal biology of Shetland and as a basis for monitoring the effects of oil development`. Every intercept of the 1 km OS grid was used as a sample point. One hundred and six attributes in 17 different categories were used to determine the coastal type at 1723 sample points. Analysis of results was undertaken by Recipricol Averaging and Indicator Species Analysis. Eight coastal types were determined, described and mapped. There is a key to the 8 coastal types. Littoral Biota of Rocky Shores - Part 6.2: Eighty sites were surveyed. At each site, the abundance of species was recorded at stations established at vertical intervals of the tenth of the tidal range. In Part 1, results were analysed by Reciprocal Averaging and by Indicator Species Analysis. The latter analysis seperates shores into 8 groups which roughly corresponded to the distribution of shore communities in relation to wave exposure. Each group is described and distribution mapped. In Part 2, a description is given of the shores in each of the 8 map groups and a table showing occurrence of 126 species at each of the sites is presented. Reaches were chosen to obtain a representative sample of the various conditions on mainland and tended towards areas where a diverse fauna might be expected. Work was undertaken by staff from the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1994 MNCR west 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 1992 MNCR Orwell and Stour Estuaries 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 1990 BP Handfast Point (Poole Bay) maerl bed infaunal 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 1970-80 SMBA/MBA Great Britain 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 1985 NCC Loch Sween sublittoral survey

Loch Sween, in the Sound of Jura, south-west Scotland, has been selected as a proposed Marine Nature Reserve by the NCC. A considerable body of information exists on the sublittoral habitats of the Loch Sween system. NCC has contributed to this by extensive and intensive sublittoral surveys of the loch (Earll, 1982; Lumb, 1986). Sublittoral studies have generally concentrated on the 'arms' of Loch Sween and on the sill systems present, areas of particularly high scientific interest. There is a requirement for additional information on the sublittoral habitats and communities within the main body of the loch and in the approaches to Loch Sween. This is necessary for further assessment of the scientific interest and conservation importance of these areas, to assist selection of the PMNR boundaries and to provide information on management requirements. This report contains the results of sublittoral survey work carried out in 1985 using a mixture of diving and remote-sampling techniques. The habitats and communities recorded within the area are described. The results of previous year's surveys have not been incorporated into this report, nor is a detailed assessment of the scientific interest and conservation importance made. Several communities were recorded for the first time during this survey. The majority were found in the approaches to Loch Sween. There is now a relatively comprehensive coverage of the Loch Sween area. Some additional work may be required and this is indicated in the report. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1992 MNCR Deben estuary and Orford Ness 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 1990 Collins/Mallinson Kimmeridge sublittoral survey

The date of this survey is not available in the report. In 1988, a permanent underwater nature trail was installed off Worbarrow Tout, Dorset, within the Purbeck Marine Nature Reserve. This consists of a fixed 150 m line extending from surface rocks, between gullies, down a boulder slope, across stoney gravel, to a low-lying rock pile in 15 m of water. A second 'hidden' trail was also set up to the east with the aim of comparative studies to determine the effect of intensive diver pressure. The details of this work is described in a previous report to the NCC, which also describes the general marine flora and fauna of the trails and adjacent areas. The numbered stations along the trails were originally intended to provide convenient points for description in diver guides. However, their permanence makes them ideal long-term monitoring stations. This study aimed to give a detailed description of each of the 9 stations along the primary trail. This includes habitat descriptions, species lists and diagrams. Additionally a set of slides for each station has been prepared with wide angle views (2 m across), closer views (60 cm across) and detailed shots (24 cm across). Underwater video footage has also been recorded and used in preparing the description of the stations.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1978 NCC Uists sublittoral survey

A survey of sublittoral sites around the Uists and Harris/Lewis. [N.B. In addition in this report there are notes on the Loch Obisary survey by Mitchell et al. in 1978 - Surv. No. 200 (R0318) and the Shelagh Smith survey of the Uists in 1978 - Survey. No. 94 (R0150).] The information is in essence from two surveys, one by the NCC's CST team and one by the Underwater Conservation Programme, running in conjunction with one another. 8 areas were visited, with sites in Lochs Eynort, Skipport, Carnan, Eport, Obisary, and Roag along with those at Scolpaig and the Shiant Islands being investigated. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1987 OPRU Salcombe & Kingsbridge estuaries spoil-dumping survey

The effects of a recent dumping of 16,000 m/3 of spoil in a licensed dumping ground within the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary were studied during September 15th - 19th, 1987. The area was mapped using a combination of echo soundings and observations by divers. An area of earlier dumping activity was also included in the survey. The habitats and communities inside the area and on the surrounding sea bed were described and documented by diving biologists in September 1985, and results compared with those obtained during a survey carried out prior to the latest dumping programme. The main effect of the dredge spoil was to smother all life over approximately 23,000 m/2 of the sea bed. Outside this area of blanket cover there was increased siltation on the sea bed for at least 200 m to the north. Older clay from previous dumping operations was little different in appearance from the new clay and had only been colonised by a few species giving rise to a community very different from that of the natural sea bed. Sites well to the south around the Marine Hotel did not appear to be affected. The sea bed under the recent and earlier spoil dredgings, amounting in total to around 10% of the available habitat of mixed sediments, stones and shells is thus thought to be irreversibly changed by these operations and it is recommended that no further dumping of this type of spoil should be undertaken within the estuary. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1978 NCC Loch Obisary survey

A preliminary survey was made of Loch Obisary, the largest brackish water loch in North Uist, Outer Hebrides. The loch has a single narrow connection to the sea, through which sea water enters at high tides. Salinity, temperature and depth measurements were taken throughout the loch and revealed the presence of a distinct halocline and thermocline in the north basin of the loch at about 4 m depth, neither of which were present in the south basin. The salinity of the water above the halocline in the north basin and throughout the south basin was 13 - 14 ppt whilst that below the halocline had a maximum of 28.5 ppt. Temperature decreased by approximately 1 degree Centigrade at the level of the halocline and rose again by approximately 0.5 degree Centigrade near the bottom of the loch. The flora and fauna were investigated both by diving and by shore collections. Two distinct communities of plants and animals were found in the loch: i) A 'freshwater ' marginal component consisting of freshwater euryhaline species and true brackish water species found above the halocline in the north basin and throughout the south basin of the loch. ii) A marine component consisting of marine euryhaline species numerically dominated by the red alga Phyllophora pseudoceranoides and the tunicates Ciona intestinalis and Ascidiella aspersa. Comparisons are made with other studies of brackish lochs and waters and it is concluded that Loch Obisary is an interesting and unusual example of this scarce habitat type.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1982 University of Exeter Isles of Scilly littoral sediment survey

Of the 4 shores surveyed, our conclusion is that they rank as follows in descending order of importance: i) Old Grimsby Zostera bed and Rushy Point, ii) Tresco Flats, iii) St Martin's Flats, iv) Samson Flats. Each of the 4 shores has a certain number of species in common, such as heart-urchins, terebellid worms, bivalves and burrowing anemones. Rushy Point, Tresco, has persistent scoured channels with dense populations of the burrowing anemone Cereus pedunculatus and, not far away, an area of highly sorted gravel with dense populations of the large topshell, Gibbula magus; just to its north, the Zostera bed in Old Grimsby Harbour has a rich and varied fauna not repeated elsewhere. Again, the Tresco Flats, on the other side of the island, have rich beds of the tube-dwelling polychaetes Amphitrite edwardsi and Chaetopterus variopedatus, and of the burrowing heart-urhcins Echinocardium and Spatangus. There is a case for recognising the importance of such unique shores by appropriate conservation measures, or at least by calling attention to them in publicity or 'nature trail' brochures somewhat less than others. Records currently considered sensitive have been removed from this dataset.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee