2013 Natural England Verification Survey of Cumbria Coast

A Natural England commissoined verification survey of both intertidal sediments and intertidal rocky reef within the Cumbria Coast rMCZ. Phase I Biotope mapping was carried out across the rMCZ for broad scale habitats. Phase II infaunal sediment sampling was carried out to provide information on the benthic infaunal assemblages and particle size distribution of the study sites by means of core sampling. Sediment surface scrapes were obtained for heavy metals and organic contaminants analysis. Phase II quantitative survey of intertidal rocky reefs comprised of a quadrat survey with percentage cover of species present within each quadrat being recorded. The data was used to produce a EUNIS Level 3 boradscale habitat map of the Cumbria Coast rMCZ. Aerial imagery and OS mapping was digitised to produce baseline maps of biotope boundaries. The maps were annotated in the field to identify biotopes and boundaries as well as significant features. In addition, intertidal sediment cores were taken at 16 stations (0.01m2 cores 3 replicates at each station) distributed throughout the Cumbria Coast rMCZ at the low, mid and high shore, in order to assess the benthic species present, along with an additional sample for Particle Size Analysis. Samples were sieved over a 0.5mm sieve. Sediment scrape samples were also taken at 4 stations at the midshore for Tributyl tin, heavy metal and organic contaminant analysis. The Phase II quantitative survey of intertidal rocky reefs comprised of 9 quadrat sites per transect with 3 replicate quadrats at each low, mid and upper shore zone or the main biotope present. Percentage cover of species present within each 0.25m2 quadrat was recorded. The methods used for data collection and processing followed protocols and standards for biotope mapping and sampling. MEDIN Data Guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos.