2005 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Loch Creran site condition monitoring survey of subtidal reefs

The purpose of this survey was to initiate site condition monitoring of the biogenic and rocky reefs of Loch Creran. This survey took place between the 11th July and 23rd December 2005, run by Heriot Watt University for NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage at time of survey). The extent and distribution of serpulid reefs was determined from observations by divers along 110 transects around the loch between 11th-25th July 2005. Detailed studies were also performed at four of the major serpulid reef sites in the loch; distribution of the serpulid reefs was examined with sidescan sonar between 6th-8th September 2005, reef density by video and the community of organisms associated with the habitat by diver survey of the reefs themselves and of the surrounding sediment was undertaken between 23rd-26th July 2005. The distribution and abundance of Modiolus was also examined along seven relocatable transects and, at one of the major mussel beds, the size structure of the population and associated community surveyed.本调查旨在启动克里兰湾（Loch Creran）生物礁与岩礁的场地状况监测工作。本次调查于2005年7月11日至12月23日开展，由赫瑞-瓦特大学（Heriot Watt University）受NatureScot委托执行（调查时任该机构全称为苏格兰自然遗产署（Scottish Natural Heritage））。2005年7月11日至25日，潜水员沿海湾周边110条样带开展观测，以此明确龙介虫礁（serpulid reefs）的分布范围与覆盖规模。调查团队还针对海湾内4处主要龙介虫礁点位开展了详细研究：2005年9月6日至8日，采用侧扫声呐（sidescan sonar）探测龙介虫礁的分布情况；2005年7月23日至26日，通过视频采样评估礁体密度，并由潜水员对礁体本体及周边沉积物开展调查，以解析该生境的伴生生物群落组成。此外，调查还沿7条可移动样带对偏顶蛤属（Modiolus）的分布与丰度进行了考察，并在其中一处主要贻贝床点位开展了种群尺寸结构及伴生群落的调查工作。