2003 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Sound of Arisaig Site Condition Monitoring survey

The purpose of the current study was to initiate site condition monitoring (SCM) of the inshore sublittoral sediment habitats of the cSAC. This was done to establish a baseline biological dataset that would facilitate the assessment of the condition of the inshore sublittoral sediment habitats in the future and to allow a judgement to be formed on the current condition of these habitats. The approach taken to achieve these aims was to perform an extensive dropdown video survey of the biotopes (habitats and their associated species) of the cSAC, concentrating on the shallow inshore sediments. Characterisation of the subsurface fauna and sediment composition of the main sediment biotopes was performed by means of grab sampling. Detailed surveying of the sea bed and subsurface communities at selected maerl sites was carried out using diving techniques.本研究旨在启动cSAC近岸亚潮带沉积物生境的场地状况监测（site condition monitoring, SCM）。本研究将建立一套基准生物数据集，以助力未来对该近岸亚潮带沉积物生境的状况评估，并可对当前此类生境的现状作出科学研判。为达成上述研究目标，研究团队针对cSAC内的生物群落生境（生境及其伴生物种开展了大范围的下放式视频调查，重点聚焦浅海近岸沉积物。研究通过抓斗采样法，对主要沉积物生境的亚表层动物群落及沉积物组成进行了系统表征。此外，研究团队采用潜水技术，对选定的珊瑚藻（maerl）生境开展了海底及亚表层群落的详细勘测。