AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Habitat point records from 1973 University of Bristol Severn estuary littoral survey

The pattern of the infauna on particulate shores of the southern coasts of the Severn Estuary has been examined. Although mud predominates as the major beach substratum within the Estuary, sand beaches occur in both the lower and the upper reaches. Liquid mud is found at l.w. in the middle reaches. Suitability of substratum is shown to be the most important factor influencing animal distribution. The number of infaunal species found in this survey did not increase markedly towards the mouth, in contrast to the pattern displayed by rocky shore animals. Several species were rare or absent on mud beaches close to the entrance of the River Avon and the possibility that sewage contamination is responsible for this is discussed. The methods of sampling differed slightly at different transect sites. Normally one quadrat of area 0.25m2 was taken at each station and sieved through a mesh of 0.5mm. When the substratum was very firm mud or clay with a surface coating of softer mud which was less than 10cm deep, this surface layer only was taken, since it was impossible to force the clay through the sieve. Such samples were supplemented with 10cm deep cores of area 0.01m2. No distinction was made in the reprint of which stations had which method of sampling on them so both methods have been recorded at each station.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 WWA Severn estuary industral discharge pipe littoral survey

Invertebrate collections were made at 32 sites within a 6 ha area of inter-tidal mud sediments around the effulent outfall from Ashton paper mill; additional samples were collected for physico-chemical analysis. Seventeen taxa were recorded and invertebrate density varied between 1,580 and 32000 per m. There was no evidence that the effulent caused an increase in the organic content of the sediments although there were local reductions in redox potential. Other physico-chemical characteristics of the sediments were relatively uniform and the effulent did not have any discernable effects on the macroinvertebrate fauna, the communities around the outfall being similar to that occurring more extensively in this area of the Severn Estuary.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 WWA River Usk industrial discharge pipe littoral survey

The only major industrial outfall in the Usk Estuary is from the British Steel Company Orb Works which discharges effulent including a variety of metals, oils and neutralised pickling liquor. Previous studies have indicated that bioaccumulation of some metals by the alga Fucus vesiculosus may be attributable to this effulent and so a study of the benthic fauna was undertaken at 14 sites within a distance of 1.3 Km during July 1984 to assess the biological effects of the effulent. In addition bioaccumulation of metals by the polycheate Nereis diversicolor was also investigated. Seventeen macroinvertebrate taxa were collected (range 3-11 per site), the most widespread species being Nereis diversicolor and Macoma balthica, although the former species occured at relatively low densities within 200 metres of the discharge possibly indicating a deleterious effect as a result of the effulent. Copper concentrations in tissues of Nereis diversicolor were higher than in the sediments and were related with distance from the outfall, although tissue and sediment concentrations were generally similar to other estuaries such as the Humber. It was concluded that the effulent does have a detrimental effect on the fauna locally, although specific toxic substances were not identified. It is reccommended that proposed benthic studies in estuaries are supplemented by more widespread bioaccumulation studies, screening of effulent toxicity (for example Microtox system) and measurement of simple growth parameters of transplanted fauna.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1980 WWA Severn Bridge to Cardiff 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
Habitat point records from 1991 NRA Gannel Estuary littoral survey

This brief survey was carried out by the NRA South Western Region in 1991. Five littoral sites were sampled starting from Frenance at the head of the inlet, to Crantock Beach at the mouth of the inlet. Four 0.01 sq.m cores were taken at each site, puddled through a 0.5 mm sieve to remove excess sediment, and were then fixed in formalin. Sediment samples were also taken from the top 2 cm for granulometry.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1982 WWA Cardiff sewerage outfalls survey

The benthic macroinvertebrate fauna and the physico-chemical properties of the sediments were described from 66 sites in the vicinities of the Rhymney Valley, Ystradyfodwg and Pontypridd (Y & P) and Cardiff East outfalls discharging to the Severn Estuary. Except in an area close to the Y & P outfall, where redox potential was relatively low (<100 mV at 4 cm depth), the discharges had no perceptible effect on local sediment characteristics. Carbon concentrations were similar (50 mg g-1) to those found generally in this area of the Severn Estuary. A total of 26 taxa were identified and total invertebrate density ranged from 110 to 46,000 m-2. Except for an area close to the Y & P outfall, there was no evidence that the effulent discharges affected the distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages around the outfalls were similar to those found generally in this area of the Severn Estuary. Classification analysis suggested that shore height was the environmental feature most closely associated with the distribution of the fauna.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1975-78 University of Bristol Severn Estuary littoral rock survey

Zonation of algae and invertebrates was examined on rocky shores in the Severn estuary from 1975 to 1978. These shores were characterised by an absence of macro-algae from MLWS and below. Some littoral algae showed reductions in abundance during the study. In particular, Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus serratus almost disappeared from the mid-shore at one site after 1976, and no significant recolonisation had occured by 1979. Animal species in general showed predictable and constant zonation patterns, but Littorina rudis, Patella vulgata and Eliminus modestus all exhibited decreased upper vertical limits in the upper reaches of the estuary. Three approaches were taken to interpret the zonation patterns of their changes. 1. Exposure to wave action was estimated. Decreasing exposure levels may account for the decline in upper vertical limits of species in the upper estuary. 2. A survey of silt, salinity and temperature was carried out over compelte tidal cycles. High silt concentrations may partially explain the absence of macro-algae below MHWS. 3. Preliminary experiments compared the effects of grazers in the estuary with those in fully marine conditions. These experiments point to some of the factors which are responsible for the lack of algal recolonisation on the shore from which the dominant fucoids disappeared after 1976, but the situation is complex and involves algal reproductive biology as well as grazer activity.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 University of Bristol River Severn subestuaries 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 1973-75 University of Bristol Severn estuary littoral sediment survey

Variations in invertebrate densities within the Severn Estuary have been examined on four shores over a period of two years. Variability due to seasonal changes was combined with a patchy distribution of some species, while others showed consistent densities at the same tidal level and at different sampling times. Some species showed more consistent densities in winter than in summer. Biological interactions, varying periods of spawning and recruitment and beach instability are thought to be three of the major factors influencing distribution. No marked community changes such as seen in some sublittoral areas have been found.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1977-78 WWA Usk and Wye estuaries sublittoral survey

There is little detailed information available on the invertebrate macrofauna of the Usk and Wye Estuaries. This report describes the Distribution and abundance of the benthic invertebrate macrofauna and examines a number of factors thought most likely to influence the organisms concerned. 1. Studies were initiated during 1977 and winter and summer surveys were undertaken on each estuary. Grab samples from sites at approximately one kilometre intervals were taken for quantitative estimates of the sediment fauna. 2. Sediment characteristics and particle size analysis were measured and tidal water quality data including temperature, salinity and suspended solids were measured. 3. Quantitative estimates of the sediment macrofauna were analysed by a biological index of similarity and classified by an agglomerative cluster analysis. The sublittoral sediments of both the Usk and Wye Estuaries support a reduced fauna, consisting mainly of annelids and some molluscs, compared with the Outer Bristol Channel. Site details have not yet been entered.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1977-81 Eleftheriou/Robertson east Scotland littoral sediment survey

Eleven sandy beaches on the east coast of Scotland were surveyed over a period of several years (1977-1981). On each beach, after initial observations were made on the structure, degree of exposure, and the position of any freshwater inflow noted, a simple surveying technique was used to construct profiles measured from a suitable benchmark. Main stations were placed at the estimated levels for high, mid and low tide along the profile transect, with intermediate stations also being inserted; the numbers of these depended on the width of the intertidal zone. At each station one quadrat of 1/16m squared was dug for macrofauna and the sand sieved through a 0.5mm mesh, the residue being preserved in 5% formalin. The sediment was preserved with 60% alcohol and analysed in the Laboratory by dry sieving of the sand fraction. The sorting coefficients and median diameters were calculated and the cumulative curves constructed from the results.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1993 Unicomarine River Orwell marina proposal littoral survey

Unicomarine littoral survey in response to a proposeal for the construction of a small marina on the frontage of the Royal Harwich Y.C, at Wolverstone on the river Orwell, Suffolk. A small scale intertidal survey was carried out at the site of the proposed marina, approximately 200 metres of coastline centred on grid reference TM196391. The fauna and flora of the surrounding area were also investigated. Sites were selected for their proximity to the proposed marina, 500m east and 500m west of the study site. These `control` sites were at Hall Point down river of the study area; and the south-eastern end of Downham Reach, up-river of the study area. The biology of an existing pontoon structure at Wooolverstone Marina was also investigated. Cores were taken at 3 sites.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1992 SRPB inner Solway Firth 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
Habitat point records from 1990 Wimpey Environmental Scarborough sublittoral sediment survey

A day grab 90.1m2 ) was used to collect the samples of soft sediment. Samples were washed through a 1mm sieve. Four replicate samples were taken at each station and results were presented as an average number of individuals from 4 replicate samples (each 0.1m2) for each species at each station.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988 STPG Severn Estuary sublittoral survey

This survey sampled the area of the Severn Estuary identified by Warwick and Davies (1977) as an area of impoverished fauna. The survey of the Severn Estuary was part of a broader survey, combining an investigation of benthic macrofauna, sediment distribution and transport. Quantitative infaunal samples were obtained from 6 April to 6 May 1988, using a weighted Day Grab (0.1m2 surface area), at points on a grid with intersections at intervals of 1.5 km; sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh. Sampling stations extended from the seaward limit due south of Sker Point (03 45 W) in the west, to the landward limit at the mouth of the River Wye (03 40 W). Where hard substrata occurred, west of 03 20 W stations were unable to be adequately sampled and thus omitted. Single samples were taken (with a few exceptions where small volumes were grabbed, up to 4 replicates were taken) and a sub-sample removed for sediment analysis. 136 stations containing 112 macrobenthic taxa were used in analysis (Mettam et al. 1994), and 8 faunal groups identified. Although 589 stations were sampled, not all have been worked up, and Dr. Mettam requires funding in order to process the remaining samples, all of which cover intermediate positions. [Dr. Chris Mettam (University of Wales College of Cardiff) supplied data for the infaunal samples; Richard Powys, GeoSea (UK) Ltd (Cambridge), was responsible for sediment analysis and supplied the granulometry data. The survey was funded by the Severn Tidal Power Group, and permission to obtain the data was given by Steve Tailor (McAlpine) chairman of STPG meeting board.]

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1992 University of Dundee Dundee Riverside landfill EIA 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 1989-91 FRPB Seafield Long Sea Outfall survey

This report details the findings of a benthic survey carried out in March 1991 of the fauna and sediments of the Seafeild long sea outfall off Edinburgh. The report also contains faunal data for small macrofauna, but there are no sampling details so these are not included on the database record.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1988-90 FRPB Estuary and Firth of Forth 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 1991 FRPB Belhaven Bay (Dunbar) survey

The survey details the findings of a survey carried out of the intertidal and subtidal sediment around a long sea outfall in Bellhaven Bay, Dunbar. No major temporal or spatial differences have been detected in the benthic faunal and community data. The lack of effect from the waste dumping probably stems from the mobile nature of the sediments in the area, such that the invertebrate species present in the area are already adapted to coping with a high degree of sediment disturbance

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

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

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1990 NRA Faversham Creek survey

The 1990 Rivers Survey includes a quality classification of estuaries to provide a simple assessment of estuarine quality based on dissolved oxygen, aesthetic criteria, and simple biological observations. In an attempt to satisfy the requirements for the biological part of the classification, the sampling was carried out by the NRA Southern Region and samples passed on to Southampton University for infaunal and sediment analysis. Two 50mm diameter cores were taken at each site, and sieved through a 0.5mm screen. Each sample was preserved in 5-8% saline formaldehyde solution. Duplicate samples were taken for particle size and chemical analysis.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1990 NRA Milton Creek (Kent) survey

The 1990 Rivers Survey includes a quality classification of estuaries to provide a simple assessment of estuarine quality based on dissolved oxygen, aesthetic criteria, and simple biological observations. In an attempt to satisfy the requirements for the biological part of the classification, the sampling was carried out by the NRA Southern Region and samples passed on to Southampton University for infaunal and sediment analysis. Two 50mm diameter cores were taken at each site, and sieved through a 0.5mm screen. Each sample was preserved in 5-8% saline formaldehyde solution. Duplicate samples were taken for particle size and chemical analysis.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Habitat point records from 1990 NRA Medway Estuary survey

The 1990 Rivers Survey includes a quality classification of estuaries to provide a simple assessment of estuarine quality based on dissolved oxygen, aesthetic criteria, and simple biological observations. In an attempt to satisfy the requirements for the biological part of the classification, the sampling was carried out by the NRA Southern Region and samples passed on to Southampton University for infaunal and sediment analysis. Two 0.1m2 surface area grab samples were taken from each sublittoral site, and sieved through a 1mm screen. Two 50mm diameter cores were taken at each littoral site, and sieved through a 0.5mm screen. Each sample was preserved in 5-8% saline formaldehyde solution. Duplicate samples were taken for particle size and chemical analysis.

Organization: Joint Nature Conservation Committee