2016 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Sound of Barra underwater video and benthic infaunal grab survey

Benthic habitat survey within, and adjacent to, the Sound of Barra SAC. This work consisted of 35 quantitative drop-down video drift survey sites and 72 infaunal grab samples and granulometry samples for Particle Size Analysis. This was targeted to 9 sampling boxes located within and outside the eastern side of the Sound of Barra SAC. Digital still photographs were taken at intervals of the video survey to enable description of seabed structure and species assemblages. The main aims of this investigation were to: (1) improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitats of recognized conservation importance (in particular, refining the distribution of Habitats Directive Annex 1 habitats); (2) determine the current condition of the maerl and coarse sediment habitats on the eastern side of the Sound of Barra SAC; and (3) contribute towards site condition monitoring of the SAC. This constituted the FRV Alba Na Mara cruise 0616A. SNH GUID GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000313 Marine Recorder surveyID's: MRSNH03600000002 and MRSNH0300000001F针对巴拉湾特别保育区（Special Area of Conservation，SAC）及其毗邻海域开展的底栖生境勘测。本次勘测共设置35个定量投放式视频漂流勘测站位，采集72份底内生物抓斗样品及用于粒径分析的沉积物粒度样品，采样覆盖该特别保育区东侧内外的9个采样箱区域。视频勘测过程中按预设间隔拍摄数码静态照片，用于描述海底结构与物种群落组成。本调查的核心目标如下：(1) 深化对具有公认保育价值的物种与生境的出现与分布认知，尤其需细化《生境指令》（Habitats Directive）附件一所列生境的分布范围；(2) 探明该特别保育区东侧的珊瑚藻（maerl）生境与粗沉积物生境的当前状况；(3) 为该特别保育区的生境状况监测提供支撑。本次勘测隶属于FRV Alba Na Mara渔业研究船航次0616A。 苏格兰自然遗产署（SNH）唯一标识符：GB-SCT-SNH-ME-000313 海洋记录器勘测编号：MRSNH03600000002 与 MRSNH0300000001F