2014 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) biological analyses of Marine Scotland Science (MSS) Armadale (Sutherland) benthic camera survey

The main aim of this investigation off Armadale, Sutherland coast was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the benthic species and habitats of recognized conservation importance. This site was selected for survey as it is a proposed renewable energy location. A drop-down video survey of benthic habitats was undertaken by MSS at 63 sites from the 16th to 30th May 2014 on board the research vessel Scotia (cruise 0614S). SNH analysis of this seabed video and still photographic imagery is used to describe the nature of the seabed in terms of the physical structure and the species assemblages. Runs and run segments were assessed for the presence of protected features and other PMFs, as well as for the presence of species and habitats of recognised conservation importance.

本次对阿玛迪勒地区苏瑟兰海岸的调查主要旨在增进对具有公认保护重要性的底栖物种及其栖息地发生与分布的认知。该地点被选为调查对象，因其为拟议中的可再生能源开发地。2014年5月16日至30日，在科研船斯柯蒂亚号（航次0614S）上，MSS（海洋科学研究所）对63个底栖栖息地进行了一次下拉式视频调查。通过对海底视频及静止摄影图像的SNH（海底视觉分析）分析，描述了海底的物理结构和物种群集。对跑道及跑道段落进行了评估，以检查是否存在受保护特征和其他重要管理因素（PMFs），以及是否存在具有公认保护重要性的物种和栖息地。