European Ocean Biodiversity Information System

"This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance and biomass from sediment grabs taken off the coast of the Ards Penninsula, Northern Ireland in 2014 & 2016 as part of a larger more comprehensive project. The project was aiming to assess the status and extent of Modiolus modiolus biogenic reefs in the area. The biogenic reefs were in an unfavourable condition even though this Annex 1 habitat was the reason for the designation of the Strangford Lough Special Area of Conservation (SAC). There is a plan in place to restore these reefs to a favourable conservation Status and this project will provide information on this area. These surveys were carried out on board the RV Corystes using a 0.1m2 day grab (see below). In total there were 36 samples taken (only 30 could be analysed for infauna). Samples were analysed for infaunal communities, Particle Size Analysis (PSA) and Carbon & Nitrogen content. The survey in 2014 was carried out on 2014-09-04 near Craigbrain and Burial Island and in 2016 the survey was carried out on 2016-02-01 & 2016-02-02. The methodology for the day grab is detailed below. • A 0.1m2 day grab was used to take a sample of the sediment & associated infaunal communities. • When the sample reaches the deck, a 250ml sample is taken for PSA and a further 25ml is taken for C & N analysis. The rest of the sample is carefully sieved to reveal any infauna. • Fixed Formalin (4% buffered formaldehyde) is added to the remains of the sample and these are placed in labelled buckets. • The samples are sent to accredited taxonomic laboratories were they are identified to as high a level as possible and weighed. "