Carmarthen Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Intertidal Sediment Flats Monitoring 2005
The purpose of this data capture was to gain an understanding of the variety and species composition of intertidal communities and their macro-scale distribution within the interest features of the Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The present study aims to revisit the area to undertake representative sampling to be compared to the phase 1 mapping survey undertaken in 1999 and 2001 in order to assess shifts and changes in intertidal habitats within the SAC. As such, the specific objectives of the current survey were therefore to:
- Undertake in-situ biotope recording along pre-defined transects to establish the extent and distribution of intertidal soft sediment biotopes
- Verify field observations with quantitative sampling of the intertidal habitats using core sampling for benthic infauna (and particle size analysis for sedimentary characterisation)
- Compare 2005 findings with baseline phase 1 mapping survey data with the view to detect changes or shifts in biotope distribution
- Assign the 2004 biotope classification.
Between 1999 and 2001, the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) undertook a phase 1 Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR) biotope mapping survey of the intertidal areas of the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The study identified over 80 littoral biotopes covering an area of approximately 130,000 hectares and included several important sub-features such as seagrass Zostera noltii beds, saltmarsh, piddocks in clay, hydroid rockpools, tide-swept algal biotopes, the presence of the polychaete worm Ophelia bicornis and the presence of the tasselweed Ruppia maritima. These habitats were resurveyed in 2004 in order to assess their current distribution and status. In 2005 a further survey was commissioned to assess the macro-scale distribution and community composition of the littoral biotopes in the SAC and determine any significant changes from the phase 1 biotope mosaic.
- Identification
- Extent
- Distribution
- Quality
- Keywords
- Spatial Reference System
- Content
- Constraints
- Maintenance
- Metadata
Identification
- Identifier
- NRW_DS102033
- Alternative Title
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- 2005 CCW / IECS Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries SAC Biotope monitoring survey (MRCCW3030000001E)
- Metadata Language
- English
- Lineage
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Sampling was undertaken using transects in order to target a large number of sites, covering a wide range of biotopes. A transect was initially chosen for each of 18 sites which was thought to cover the most number of representative biotopes (Appendix 1) with an additional transect added (Transect 19) during the survey to increase coverage in the 'Three Rivers' area in which the cockle fishery had just reopened. Each transect was located using a Thales Mobile mapper GPS based on positions provided by CCW. Starting at the top of the shore the upper and lower extents of each distinct biotope along the transect was tracked with the GPS (either on foot or using quad bike for more extensive habitats). At each distinct habitat, the substratum and dominant/ characteristic species were identified (in each habitat a surface inspection was complemented by sub-surface infaunal sediment sampling with sediment sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh sieve and species identified). In addition supplementary information was also recorded e.g. surface features, indication of natural or anthropogenic impact impacts recorded (i.e. blown sand, moving drainage channels, vehicle tracks, diggings, etc). This information was then used to assign a biotope code to each habitat.
- Additional Information
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A phase 1 biotope mapping survey of the intertidal areas of the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has previously been carried out by CCW between 1999 and 2001. See also: Rowe, G.A, (2006). Carmarthen Bay SAC Sediment Flats Monitoring 2005: Intertidal Core Analysis. A report to the Countryside Council for Wales by Emu Ltd, Durley, Southampton. CCW Marine Monitoring Report No: 46. pp.89
- Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
- 2008-12-31
Temporal Extent
- Begin date
- 2005-08-21
- End date
- 2005-08-24
- Topic category
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- Biota
))
Distribution
- Format Type and Description
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Database
(
Marine Recorder Online - Version 2.09.02
)
- Specification
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Marine Recorder
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Database
(
Marine Recorder Online - Version 2.09.02
)
Quality
Data quality
- Quality Scope
- Dataset
- Conformity
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
- Explanation
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This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
- Degree
- false
- Lineage
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Sampling was undertaken using transects in order to target a large number of sites, covering a wide range of biotopes. A transect was initially chosen for each of 18 sites which was thought to cover the most number of representative biotopes (Appendix 1) with an additional transect added (Transect 19) during the survey to increase coverage in the 'Three Rivers' area in which the cockle fishery had just reopened. Each transect was located using a Thales Mobile mapper GPS based on positions provided by CCW. Starting at the top of the shore the upper and lower extents of each distinct biotope along the transect was tracked with the GPS (either on foot or using quad bike for more extensive habitats). At each distinct habitat, the substratum and dominant/ characteristic species were identified (in each habitat a surface inspection was complemented by sub-surface infaunal sediment sampling with sediment sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh sieve and species identified). In addition supplementary information was also recorded e.g. surface features, indication of natural or anthropogenic impact impacts recorded (i.e. blown sand, moving drainage channels, vehicle tracks, diggings, etc). This information was then used to assign a biotope code to each habitat.
Keywords
Keywords
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2008-06-01
Keywords
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NRW Thesaurus
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- Marine Recorder
- Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries SAC
- Mudflats and sandflats
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2026-08-27
Keywords
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2024-06-19
Spatial Reference System
Content
Content Information
NRW Profile
Custom Elements
- NRW Related Title
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Intertidal monitoring of biotope distribution in Carmarthen Bay and estuaries SAC in 2005
Constraints
Constraints
Limitations on Public Access and Use
- Restriction type
- Other restrictions
Access Constraints Directive
- Limitations
- no limitations
Access Constraints Text
- Other constraints
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There are no access restrictions to this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
Use Constraints
- Use constraints type
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
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© CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.
Attribution Statement
- Other constraints
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Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.
Licence
- Other constraints
- Open Government Licence
Metadata
Metadata
- File Identifier
- 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313032303333 XML
- Metadata Language
- English
- Parent Identifier
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Across Wales Intertidal Monitoring Survey
NRW_DS109834
- Resource type
- Dataset
- Metadata Date
- 2026-10-19T14:39:07.328Z
- Metadata Standard Name
- NRW
- Metadata Standard Version
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1.0