Dorset Marine Habitat Survey of Maerl, Worm Reefs, and Brittlestars, 2002

Dr. Ken Collins supplied these survey records for the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. The data maps the distribution of live maerl, biogenic worm reefs, brittlestar beds, and a seagrass bed in Poole Bay, Swanage, and Kimmeridge, Dorset. The records relate to a 2003 report and include work undertaken since January 2002.

Use Cases

• Mapping the extent of biogenic Sabellaria spinulosa reefs based on survey work off Swanage.
• Modeling habitat suitability for live maerl (Phymatolithon calcareum) based on distribution mapping in western Poole Bay.
• Analyzing brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis) bed density and location based on surveys off Kimmeridge.
• Validating and enhancing seagrass (Zostera marina) bed maps based on aerial photo confirmation in Poole Harbour.

Strengths

• Data is sourced from a specific scientific survey led by a named expert, Dr. Ken Collins.
• The description specifies mapping multiple distinct marine habitats (maerl, worm reefs, brittlestars, seagrass).
• Records are linked to a formal report held at the Dorset Environmental Records Centre.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Dr. Ken Collins, National Oceanography Centre Southampton.

Collection Method

Dive survey and aerial photo enhancement.

Time Range

2002

Freshness

Survey data is from 2002; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Poole Bay, Swanage, and Kimmeridge, Dorset, UK.