Scottish waters in the North Minch, specifically the Shiant East Bank and Little Minch areas, were surveyed between 23 October and 3 November 2011. The survey, conducted by Marine Scotland Science (MSS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) aboard the MRV Alba na Mara, collected underwater video and still photographs from 60 sites and 17 infaunal grab samples for biological and particle size analysis. The data was gathered to inform understanding of glacially eroded seabed features like deeps, banks, and mounds.
Use Cases
- Classifying seabed habitat types based on physical structure and species assemblages described from video analysis.
- Modeling the distribution of benthic fauna based on quantitative biological data from grab samples.
- Assessing the ecological importance of large-scale glacially eroded features like banks and deeps.
- Training image recognition models for marine species using the underwater still photographs.
Strengths
- Survey conducted at 60 specific sites (35 at Shiant East Bank, 25 in Little Minch), providing spatial coverage.
- Combines multiple data collection methods: video imagery and 17 physical grab samples for faunal and particle size analysis.
- Analysis was performed under contract by named specialists (e.g., Dr Colin Moore for imagery, Seastar Survey Ltd for infauna).
Limitations
- Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
- Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to a single survey cruise in 2011.
Provenance
- Source
- Marine Scotland Science (MSS) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
- Collection Method
- Drop-down video drift tows and grab sampling from the vessel MRV Alba na Mara.
- Time Range
- 23 October - 3 November 2011
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- North Minch, Scotland (Shiant East Bank and Little Minch)