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Cross Sands broadscale survey 1998 (EUROBIS)

Entry ID: Eurobis_781

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Summary

Abstract: Broadscale benthic survey undertaken by CEFAS off the east coast of the United
Kingdom.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any evidence of a large-scale cumulative impact on benthic macro-invertebrate communities as a result of the multiple sites of aggregate extraction located off Great Yarmouth in the southern North Sea. Forty 0.1m2 Hamon grab samples ... were collected from across the region, both within and beyond the extraction area, and analysed for macrofauna and sediment particle size distribution in order to produce a regional description of the status of the seabed environment. In addition, the data were analysed in relation to the area of seabed impacted by dredging over the period 1993-1998. Areas subject to 'direct' impacts were determined through reference to annual electronic records of dredging activity and this information was then used to model the likely extent of areas potentially subject to 'indirect' ecological and geophysical impact.

Results showed the study area to be characterised by sands in the northern half of the survey area, and sandy gravels in the south. The low diversity communities found across much of the survey area were typical of mobile sandy sediments. However, stations located in the southern half and northern extreme of the survey area tended to support higher numbers of species and individuals. This may be due to marginally enhanced stability arising from the higher proportion of gravel found in samples to the south of the extraction licences and to the presence of Sabellaria spinulosa reef in the north. Analysis of data in relation to areas of predicted dredging impact revealed proportionally less gravel and more sand within the 'direct' impact zone, compared to the 'indirect' impact zone. Whilst multivariate analyses of macrofaunal data were unable to discriminate between dredging impact zones, a comparison of univariate measures revealed significantly lower numbers of species and individuals in areas which have been subject to 'direct' dredging impacts in comparison with 'reference' areas. This provides good evidence of the near-field consequences of dredging. Values of these measures in the 'indirect' zone were intermediate, although not significantly different from the 'reference' zone.

We conclude that, although the dominant influence on assemblages in the region is that of sediment instability induced by tidal currents, we cannot dismiss the possibility of a subsidiary influence of dredging activity in the near vicinity of the licensed block and further investigation is warranted.

Size reference: 40 localities, 201 species

[Source: The information provided in the summary was extracted from the MarBEF Data System at http://www.marbef.org/data/eurobisproviders.php]

Related URL

Link: GET DATA

Description: OBIS Advanced Search Data Extent Map and related functions

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: 52.82

S: 52.18

E: 2.53

W: 1.7

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: Cooper, K.M., Boyd, S.E. and Rees, H.L

Dataset Title: Cross Sands broadscale survey 1998

Dataset Series Name: EUROBIS

Dataset Release Date: 05 Apr 2006

Dataset Release Place: Essex, UK

Dataset Publisher: Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Burnham laboratory

Version: 2006-03-31

Data Presentation Form: MS EXCEL

Online Resource: http://www.marbef.org/

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1998-01-01

Stop Date: 1998-12-31

Location Keywords

OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH SEA

CONTINENT > EUROPE > NORTHERN EUROPE > BRITISH ISLES > UNITED KINGDOM

Science Keywords

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES > BRYOZOANS/MOSS ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES > ARTHROPODS

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

OCEANS

Instrument

GRAB SAMPLERS

Project

OBIS > OCEAN BIOGEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

COML > CENSUS OF MARINE LIFE

Access Constraints None.

Use Constraints Acknowledge the use of specific records from contributing databases in the form appearing in the 'Citation' field thereof (if any); and acknowledge the use of the OBIS facility.

For information purposes, email to obissupport@marine.rutgers.edu the full citation of any publication made (printed or electronic) that cites OBIS or any constituent part.

Recognize the limitations of data in OBIS.

Also see MarBEF data policy at http://www.marbef.org/data/datapolicy.php

Ancillary Keywords

Aggregate

hamon grab

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Originating Center

Data Center

Flanders Marine Institute, Belgium

Data Center URL: http://www.vliz.be/

Data Center Personnel
Name: WARD APPELTANS Phone: +32-(0)59-34 01 55 Fax: +32-(0)59-34 21 31 Email: ward.appeltans at vliz.be Contact Address: Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) Wandelaarkaai 7 City: Oostende Postal Code: 8400 Country: Belgium

Distribution

Distribution Media: HTTP

Distribution Format: OBIS Schema

Fees: None

Personnel

BART VANHOORNE

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Phone: +32-(0)59-34 01 55

Fax: +32-(0)59-34 21 31

Email: bart.vanhoorne at vliz.be

Email: bartv at vliz.be

Contact Address:

Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)

Wandelaarkaai 7

City: Oostende

Country: BELGIUM

KEITH COOPER

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Phone: +44-(0)1621-78 72 38

Fax: +44-(0)1621-78 49 89

Email: k.m.cooper at cefas.co.uk

Contact Address:

Remembrance Avenue

Burnham-on-Crouch

City: Essex

Postal Code: CMO 8HA

Country: UK

Publications/References

Birchenough, S.; Cooper, K. (2004). SOP for the collection of macrofaunal samples using a 0,1 m? Hamon grab. Uncontrolled copy. Burnham Laboratory Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), 1380(1). CEFAS Burnham Laboratory: Burnham on Crouch, UK. 16 pp.

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2005-11-25

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-01-09

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