Identification

Identifier

NRW_DS114944

Alternative Title

• 2009 CCW / ASML Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries SAC transect survey (MRCCW16300000024)

Metadata Language

English

Lineage

In Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries SAC, the Annex I intertidal habitat features include "Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide". A series of 23 sediment monitoring locations, distributed throughout the SAC to represent different areas and habitats, were established between 2005 and 2008. Most locations were initially defined as transects extending from the upper to lower shore, although many have subsequently been redefined as groups of monitoring stations. Between one and six fixed sampling stations were established within each location, with some stations requiring repositioning due to channel movements.

Monitoring has been undertaken using a combination of in-situ recording and sediment core sampling, with laboratory analysis of infaunal composition and sediment granulometry. Some locations, including Crofty and Llansteffan, are surveyed annually, whilst others are surveyed at intervals of two years or more.

Two survey methods were employed:

1. In-situ survey of conspicuous epibiota and their abundance visible on the sediment surface within a 5 m radius of GPS-located station coordinates, together with in-situ characterisation of sediment habitat. Photographs of the habitat and representative core samples were taken at each station.

2. Five 0.01 m² core samples were collected at each station, sieved and preserved in formalin for infaunal analysis. A sediment sample was also collected for granulometry analysis.

Data were collated and used to assign biotopes to each station.

Dataset Reference Date (Publication)

2012-06-30

Extent

Extent

Geographic Extent

ABERTAWE - SWANSEA

Geographic Extent

SIR GAERFYRDDIN - CARMARTHENSHIRE

N

W

E

S

 

Distribution

Quality

Keywords

Spatial Reference System

Content

Constraints