INTERTIDAL SURVEYS
Intertidal surveys may be required for a number of different reasons e.g. offshore cable/pipeline landfall sites, monitoring of conservation sites, baseline data required for EIAs, characterising surveys of conservation sites, marina/pier developments.
AQUAFACT has the capabilities and expertise to plan and design these intertidal surveys, to carry out the sampling, to process the samples and identify the fauna and habitats present and assign biotope classifications.
Sampling can be carried out in a number of ways depending on the area to be surveyed and the state of the tide. Typically, at low water, a transect is surveyed from the high water mark down the shore to the low water mark. Along this transect, the upper shore, middle shore and lower shore are identified. Each zone is surveyed using a quadrat. All floral and faunal life observed within the quadrat is noted along with sediment type. The SACFOR (Superabundant, Abundant, Common, Frequent, Occasional, Rare) abundance scale is used to quantify the species present. Where he sedimentary environment allows, replicate cores are taken from within the quadrat. The returns from these cores are processed and treated in line with current guidelines and methodologies.
Intertidal areas can also be surveyed by divers when the tide is in. The same methodology also applies here.
During an intertidal survey, the slope and distance of the shore line is calculated.
SEDIMENT
Analysis of sediment samples can include sediment grain size, total organic carbon content, heavy metal levels, PAHs, PCBs, TBT, oil identification and dioxins.
FAUNA
One of AQUAFACT’s core fields of expertise is the identification of intertidal and coastal flora and fauna. Our in-house specialists and consultants cover such diverse groups as sponges, coelenterates, polychaetes, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, bryozoans, tunicates, minor invertebrate phyla, fish and birds. All our specialists are experts in their fields and regularly publish reviews and revisions of their specific taxa in international journals.
Once the sedimentary environment and faunal and floral species present have been identified, each intertidal zone is assigned a biotope classification. The classification is intended as a tool to aid management and conservation of marine habitats
EXAMPLES OF AREAS WHERE AQUAFACT HAVE UNDERTAKEN INTERTIDAL SURVEYS:
- Baldoyle Bay, Dublin
- Ballyness Bay, Donegal
- Ballyteigue Burrow, Wexford
- Boyne Estuary, Louth
- Clew Bay, Mayo
- Clifden Bay, Galway
- Connemara, Galway
- Cork Habrour
- Courtown, Wexford
- Dublin Bay
- Dundalk Bay
- Dungarvan Harbour, Waterford
- Galway Bay
- Inishbofin Island, Galway
- Kilkee, Down
- Kilkieran Bay, Galway
- Killary Harbour, Mayo
- Kilmore Quay, Wexford
- Kilronan, Inishmore
- Lough Swilly, Donegal
- Shannon Estuary
- Sneem, Kerry
- Strangford Lough, Down