Loch Sunart Sublittoral Habitat Map from 2001 Joint Survey
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Description
A 2001 biotope mapping survey of sublittoral habitats in Loch Sunart utilized rapid broadscale remote acoustic mapping and groundtruth data. Groundtruthing involved diver observations at 20 stations, ROV video at 52 stations, and grab sampling at 16 sedimentary stations. The collaborative research group included staff from the University of St Andrews, Heriot-Watt University, and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Use Cases
Validate and interpret acoustic seafloor classification maps based on the collected groundtruth data.
Study the distribution of sublittoral biotopes in a Scottish sea loch based on the habitat mapping.
Compare the effectiveness of diver, ROV, and grab sampling techniques for marine habitat surveys.
Model benthic habitat changes over time using the 2001 survey as a historical baseline.
Strengths
Groundtruth data collected from 88 distinct stations using multiple methods.
Survey conducted by a collaborative group from three established institutions.
Combines remote acoustic mapping with direct observational and physical sampling data.
Limitations
Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
Last update date is unknown; data is from a single survey in 2001.
Description metadata is limited; actual data structure and quality require manual inspection after download.
Provenance
Source
Collaborative research group from University of St Andrews, Heriot-Watt University, and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Collection Method
Remote acoustic mapping combined with groundtruthing via diver observation, ROV video, and grab sampling.
Time Range
July-August 2001
Freshness
Data collected in July and August 2001; freshness unverified.