BioMar - LIFE

Marine coastal management: identification, description and mapping of biotopes

Summary of project
Field surveys undertaken
Dissemination
- 1. Publications
- 2. Presentations at open meetings

SUMMARY OF PROJECT

The BioMar project is demonstrating methods and producing a good practice guide for the collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination of marine ecological and environmental data for coastal management. The application of this system in coastal nature conservation management in particular will be demonstrated with data from Britain and Ireland. However, the system will have application to other European countries, and relevance to the management of other coastal resources.

The project began in 1992 and the final report will be available in June 1997. Administrative Co-ordination of BioMar is by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in Ireland with Scientific Co-ordination by Trinity College Dublin (TCD). The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK, are partners in the project. The company AIDEnvironment (The Netherlands) made a contribution during the first year of the project, and there are sub-contracts with specialists in Galway, Ireland. The main tasks in the project (and the partner with primary responsibility) are to:

Develop a marine biotopes classification (JNCC);
Survey marine biotopes in Ireland (TCD);
Survey maritime biotopes in Ireland (NPWS);
Assess remote survey methods (Newcastle);
Develop computerised data storage, analysis, and dissemination systems (TCD with JNCC);
Provide an inventory of marine protected areas in Europe (AID Environment).

By field surveys in inshore waters (usually <5 km from shore and < 50 m deep), information is collected on inter- and sub-tidal marine habitats and communities (="biotopes)" from Britain and Ireland. To date, 26 areas in Britain and 800 sites in Ireland have been surveyed. These surveys will be completed in September 1996.

The field information is used to (a) develop and demonstrate methods for data collection, (b) develop a classification of marine biotopes which will be applicable to inshore areas of the North-East Atlantic (not the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas), and (c) identify areas of marine conservation importance. Through the concurrent survey of maritime (land by the sea) areas of conservation importance in Ireland, the feasibility and value of linking maritime and marine areas within the same conservation area will be explored. The survey of maritime (coastal land) areas in Ireland has been largely completed. BioMar will provide a list of candidate marine and maritime conservation areas in the Republic of Ireland for Natura 2000.

The classification will form the basis for describing, mapping and comparing the conservation value of inshore marine areas. To ensure the classification will have wide application in the North-East Atlantic, meetings and workshops have been held in Monkswood, Cambridge and Dublin with European specialists (including CORINE, ZNIEFF-Mer) in marine ecology and management in which the background, design, and preliminary results of the developing classification are discussed, and where necessary modified. A detailed littoral biotope classification for Britain has been published, and the sublittoral classification is now the focus of attention.

Because of the difficulties in personnel surveying every part of the coast, the use of remote survey methods for both inter- and sub-tidal areas is being developed. These remote survey techniques (e.g. acoustic, video) allow point source data to be linked to larger coastal areas. To date, the 34 surveys conducted have covered a range of sea areas in Britain and Ireland, used different research vessels and equipment, and involved collaboration with different groups (BioMar partners and various government authorities). The comparability of the maps produced from the surveys demonstrates the wide application of the methods. From the experience in BioMar, it will be possible to recommend methods for the collection of marine data which may be used in other countries.

A database has been established for data storage and analysis, and can now be linked with computer mapping systems (Geographical Information Systems). The database currently stores environmental information on about 20,000 habitat records surveyed in 9200 sites, and includes a list of the over 12,300 marine species recorded around Britain and Ireland. Due to its large size and complexity, the production of more accessible electronic publications (on diskettes and CD-ROM) from the database and GIS is being demonstrated. One product, UKDMAP, is now available from JNCC (in collaboration with the British Oiceanographic Data Centre) and a second product, BioMarLit, will be published by TCD (in collaboration with the Irish Marine Data Centre) in April 1996. The data and technical requirements for a more elaborate CD-ROM based product have been agreed and this is under development.

In addition to its use in dissemination of data, the use of GIS in predicting the occurrence of marine habitats from widely available coastal data (e.g. coastline, bathymetry, wind direction and force) is being explored. A wave exposure index has been automated within the GIS so that the exposure for any piece of shoreline can be predicted. These predictions are now being tested with field data and the flexibility of the model to other data sets examined.

As a background to marine conservation management in Europe, a desk study of marine protected areas has been completed. Reports on this study, and internal reports on field surveys, have been submitted to the European Commission. There has been considerable effort in disseminating information about BioMar. The partners have made about 40 presentations on the project at over 10 international and 14 national meetings. In addition, there are about 40 publications (including 2 books) arising from BioMar so far.

Further information from either:

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 51 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2;

Dr Mark J. Costello, Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.

FIELD SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN

Areas surveyed by JNCC as part of BioMar

LOCALITY	AREA	DATES
River Deben; River Butley	SE England	June 1992
North Berwick to Burnmouth	NE England & SE Scotland	June 1992
Berwick-on-Tweed to Newbiggin	NE England	July 1992 - June 1993
River Orwell; River Stour	SE England	August 1992
River Orwell; River Stour; Hamford Water	SE England	August/September 1992
Deben Estuary; Orford Ness	SE England	September 1992
River Blackwater; River Colne	SE England	September 1992
Tweed Estuary; Wansbech Estuary; Coquet Estuary; Aln Estuary; Blyth Estuary; Tyne Estuary; Tees Estuary; Wear Estuary; Esk Estuary	NE England	August 1992 - September 1993
Shetland	NE Scotland	February 1993
Swale Estuary; Medway Estuary	SE England	June 1993
Blakeney - Brancaster	SE England	July 1993
Mainland Shetland, Unst, Yell	Shetland	July 1993
Swale Estuary; Medway Estuary	SE England	August 1993
Saltburn to Flamborough Head	NE England	July/August 1993
Isle of Lewis, Harris and North Uist lagoons	Outer Hebrides, NW Scotland	September 1993
Loch Inver - Loch Eriboll	NW Scotland	May 1994
North Uist; Benbecula; Grimsay; South Uist lagoons	Outer Hebrides, NW Scotland	June 1994
Mainland Orkney, Sanday, Eday, Stronsay	Orkney	July 1994
Ardnamurchan Peninsula	NW Scotland	June/July 1994
Lizard Point	SW England	July 1994
The Smalls	SW Wales	Aug./Sept. 1994
E. Scotland lagoons	E. Scotland	Aug. 1994
Inner Hebrides; SW mainland Scotland; South Uist, Scotland Wide Firth & Shapinsay Sound; Hoy Sound & Bring Deeps; west mainland and west Hoy Orkney	Scotland	February - October 1995
Thanet	Kent	-
Cardigan Bay estuaries; Cardigan to Aberystwyth; mid Cardigan Bay including the Sarns; north and south Lleyn; Bishops and Clerks/St Brides Bay Wales	-	-

Areas surveyed by the University of Newcastle as part of BioMar

DATE	LOCATION	COLLABORATOR
1993	Tremadog Bay, Wales	Countryside Council for Wales
	North Northumberland	English Nature & National Trust
	Rousay Sound, Orkneys	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Mulroy Bay, Ireland	Trinity College Dublin
	Kilkieran Bay, Ireland	Trinity College Dublin
1994	Donegal Bay, Ireland	Trinity College Dublin
	Saltees, Ireland	Trinity College Dublin
	Isle of Wight, England	English Nature
	Falmouth and Lizard, England	English Nature
	Flamborourgh, England	English Nature
	North Tyneside, England	English Nature & N. Tyneside MBC
	Ardnamurchan, Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Berwickshire, Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Lewis (kelp project), Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Cardigan Bay, Wales	Countryside Council for Wales
	Menai Strait, Wales	Countryside Council for Wales
	Courtown/Rosslare, Ireland	Trinity College, Dublin
	Skomer, Dyfed, Wales	Countryside Council for Wales
	Loch Maddy, Scotland	ENTECH
	Fal Bay, Cornwall	Countryside Council for Wales
1995	Busta Voe, Scotland	ENTECH
	Loch Roag, Lewis	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Loch Duich, Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Loch Moidart, Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	St. Abbs, Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	St. Mary's Island, England	English Nature
	Isle of Thanet, Kent, England	English Nature & JNCC
	Beachy Head, Sussex, England	English Nature & Sussex Co. Co.
	Kenmare River, Ireland	Trinity College Dublin
	Lleyn Peninsula, Wales	Countryside Council for Wales & JNCC
	Sarns, Cardigan Bay, Wales	Countryside Council for Wales
	Loch Alsh, Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Loch Boisdale, Scotland	Scottish Natural Heritage
	Northumberland Coast & Farnes	English Nature & Northumberland Co. Co. & National Trust

DISSEMINATION

1. PUBLICATIONS

List of publications by partners which have contributed to the BioMar project. Copies of publications are forwarded to EcoTec on behalf of the European Commission when they have been published. Articles "in press" have been accepted for publication and will be forwarded upon publication.

From Trinity College Dublin

Costello M.J. 1993. Development of the BioMar database, and its contribution to nature conservation management in the Irish Sea. In: Marine and Coastal databases, Irish Sea Forum Seminar Report No.3, Liverpool University Press, Liverpool, 72-79.

Costello M.J. 1995. The BioMar (Life) project: developing a system for the collection, storage, and dissemination of marine data for coastal management. In: Hiscock K. (ed.) Classification of benthic marine biotopes of the north-east Atlantic. Proceedings of a BioMar - Life workshop held in Cambridge 16-18 November 1994. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, 9 - 17.

Costello M.J. & Mills P. (in press) Describing, classifying and mapping of coastal biotopes of Ireland. In: Bonazountas M. & Salman A.H.P.M. (eds.), Coastal management and habitat conservation, Proc. 4th EUCC Congress, Leiden.

Costello M.J., Emblow C.S. and Picton B.E. (1996) Long term trends in the discovery of marine species new to science in Britain and Ireland. Journal of the marine biological association of the United Kingdom 76, 255-257.

Costello M.J, Wilson J., O'Sullivan G., Duffy L., Emblow C.S., Kelly K.S. and Kurz I. 1995. Strategies and methods in coastal and estuarine management. Programme and abstracts of the 25th annual symposium of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association. Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin, 132 pp.

Crean E., Gillmor J., Duffy L., Costello M.J. and Mills P. 1995. A computerised model for predicting the exposure of coastal areas to wave action. Proceedings Coast GIS '95 (International Symposium on GIS and computer mapping for coastal zone management) ICA Working Group on Marine Cartography, Sydney, Australia, p. 209-227.

Kelly K.S. and Costello M.J. 1995. Marine related papers published in the Irish Naturalists' Journal, 1925 - 1993. Irish Naturalists' Journal 25 (3), 89-98.

Kelly K.S. and Costello M.J. (submitted). Temporal trends and gaps in marine publications in Irish periodicals. In: Keegan B. (ed) Proceedings of the Irish Marine Sciences symposium, Galway September 1995. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

Kelly, K. S., Picton B.E., McFadden Y. and Costello, M. J. 1996. BioMarLit Version 1.0: a computerised database of marine related papers published in The Irish Naturalists' Journal, 1925 - 1994. Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, and Irish Marine Data Centre, Dublin. [Electronic publication on diskettes and User Manual]

Morrow C.C. and Picton B.E. (in press) An aplysillid sponge new to the British Isles with notes on its habitat and distribution. Irish Naturalists' Journal.

Morrow C., Picton B.E., Hunt, J., Sides E.M., Emblow C. and Costello M.J. 1995. Some rare or under-recorded marine species from the Irish coast. In: Abstracts from the proceedings of the fifth environmental researchers colloquium, University College Cork, January 1995, O'Halloran J., Giller P. S., Sheehan D., O'Donovan G., Higgs B. and Allen A. (eds.), Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 95B, 151.

Sides E.M., Picton B.E., Costello M.J., Crean E., Emblow C.S., Gillmor J., Kelly K.S. and Morrow C.C. 1995. Identification and mapping of marine biotopes. In: Carroll M. and Dubsky K. (eds.), Coastal zone management: from needs to action, Coastwatch Europe, Dublin, pp 198-203.

Morrow C., Picton B.E., Sides E.M., Emblow C. and Costello M.J. 1995. The role of sponge taxonomy in the classification and conservation of marine biotopes. In: Abstracts from the proceedings of the fifth environmental researchers colloquium, University College Cork, January 1995, O'Halloran J., Giller P. S., Sheehan D., O'Donovan G., Higgs B. and Allen A. (eds.), Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 95B, 151.

From the Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Barnes, J., Davidson N.C., Hill, T.O., & Jones M. eds. 1993. Coastal and marine UK D MAP datasets: a user manual. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 209.

Brazier, D.P., & Murray, E. 1994. Littoral survey of the estuaries of south-east Scotland and north-east England. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 159. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/SR/26.).

Connor, D.W. 1994. Benthic community studies on the North Sea coast of Great Britain: their application for coastal zone management and sensitivity mapping. In: North Sea Quality Status Report Scientific Symposium, Ebeltoft, Denmark, 18-21 April 1994.

Connor, D.W., Hill, T.O., Little, M.C. & Northen, K.O. 1995. Marine Nature Conservation review: Intertidal biotope manual. Version 6.95. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report No. 249

Connor, D.W. 1994. The sublittoral ecology of Scotland's islands. In: The islands of Scotland. A living marine heritage, ed. by J.M. Baxter & M.B. Usher, 144-159. HMSO for Scottish Natural Heritage.

Connor, D.W., Hiscock, K., Foster-Smith, R.L., & Covey, R. In press. A classification system for benthic marine biotopes. In: Proceedings of the 28th European Marine Biology Symposium, Crete, September 1993. Olsen and Olsen, Fredensberg.

Davies, J. 1994. Marine biological survey of the coastline of south-east Scotland from North Berwick to the River Tweed. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 158. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/SR/25.).

Davies, L.M., & Connor, D.W. 1993. Littoral survey and sublittoral sampling in Loch Sunart. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 121. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/SR/016.).

Hill, T.O., Thorpe, K., Connor, D.W., & Mills, D.J.L. 1993. Littoral and sublittoral surveys of the UK North Sea coast -input and analysis of data to the Marine Nature Conservation Review. Final report. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 166. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/OR/16.).

Hiscock, K. 1994. Marine communities at Lundy - origins, longevity and change. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 51: 183-188.

Hiscock, K. ed. 1995. Classification of benthic marine biotopes of the north-east Atlantic. Proceedings of a BioMar-Life workshop held in Cambridge. 16-18 November 1994. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Holt, R.H.F. 1994. Marine biological survey of Eyemouth (Berwickshire) to Alnmouth (Northumberland). Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 157. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/SR/24.).

Howson C.M., Connor D.W. and Holt R.H.F. 1994. The Scottish sealochs: an account of surveys undertaken for the Marine Nature Conservation Review. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 164. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/SR/27).

Laffoley, D., & Hiscock, K. 1993. The classification of benthic estuarine communities for nature conservation assessments inGreat Britain. In: Proceedings of the 21th Symposium of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association held in Gent, 9-14 September 1991. Marine and estuarine gradients (ECSA 21), ed. by P. Meire & M. Vincx, Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 27(2/4): 181-187.

Mills, D.J.L. 1994. A manual for the analysis of data held on the Marine Nature Conservation Review database. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 173. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/OR/18.).

Mills, D.J.L., Hill, T.O., Thorpe, K., & Connor, D.W. eds. 1993. Atlas of marine biological surveys in Britain. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 167. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/OR/17.).

Moore, J., Taylor, P., & Hiscock, K. 1995. Rocky shores monitoring programme. In: Monitoring at an oil terminal: the Shetland experience, ed. by G.M.Dunnet & A.D.McIntyre, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Series B: Biological Sciences, 103, 181-200.

Pearson, T.H., Coates, A., & Duncan, J.A.R. 1994. Shetland subtidal sediment community analysis. Report on analysis of subtidal sediment data from Shetland to identify community types present. (Contractor: SEAS Ltd, Oban.) Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 191. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/OR/20.). (SEAS Report, No. SR64.)

Sanderson, W.G. 1995. Rare seabed species. In: Coast and Seas of the United Kingdom. Region 6 Eastern England: Flamborough Head to Great Yarmouth, ed. by J.H. Barne, C.F. Robson, S.S. Kaznowska & J.P. Doody. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Sanderson, W.G. 1995. Rare seabed species. In: Coast and Seas of the United Kingdom. Region 13 Northern Irish Sea: Colwyn Bay to Stranraer, ed. by J.H. Barne, C.F. Robson, S.S. Kaznowska & J.P. Doody. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

From the University of Newcastle

Davies, J. 1995. Mapping the distribution of benthic biotopes around the Thanet coast. English Nature Research Report No. 154.

Davies, J. & Sotheran, I.S. 1995. Mapping the distribution of benthic biotopes in Falmouth Bay and the lower Fal Ruan Estuary. English Nature Research Report No. 119a.

Davies, J. & Sotheran, I.S. 1995. Mapping the distribution of benthic biotopes at Flamborough Head. English Nature Research Report No. 121.

Davies, J., Foster-Smith, R.L. & Downie, A.J. 1995. A strategy for sub-tidal resource mapping and its usefulness in environmental decision making. In: Healy, M.G. & Doody, J.P. (eds.) 1995. Directions in European Coastal Management. Samara Publishing Ltd. Cardigan, U.K. pp. 223 - 234.

Foster-Smith R.L. & Davies J. (in press) Mapping benthic biotopes for conservation management. Coastal Zone Topics.

Foster-Smith R.L., Foster-Smith J.L. & Gubbay S. 1994. Marine Conservation Management: a pilot study on the Northumberland coast. English Nature Research Report No. 92.

Foster-Smith, R.L. 1995. SEASEARCH Starter Pack. Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh. ISBN 1 85397 121 9.

In addition to the publications listed above, the following reports have been completed and forwarded to EcoTec.

Connor, D.W. 1994. Marine biotopes. A working manual of biotopes from UK coastal waters. Version 04.94. Unpublished, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Marine Nature Conservation Review.

Connor, D.W. 1994. Marine biotopes. A working manual of biotopes from UK coastal waters. Version 11.94. Unpublished, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Marine Nature Conservation Review.

Covey, R., & Hill, T.O. 1993. Shetland oil spill marine benthos survey 25 February - 2 March 1993. Field survey report. (Contractor: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.) Unpublished report to Scottish Natural Heritage.

Hiscock, K. 1993. A manual for marine biological inventory survey of intertidal areas. First draft. Unpublished, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Marine Nature Conservation Review Report, No. MNCR/OR/19.).

McCaughey, J. 1993. Benthic sampling on the Berwickshire coast for Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Marine Nature Conservation Review. Interim report. Sampling details and results of particle size analysis, March 1993. (Contractor: Analytical & Environmental Services, Wallsend.) Unpublished report to Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (AES Report, No. X20C/1.)

McCaughey, J. 1993. Benthic sampling on the Berwickshire coast for Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Marine Nature Conservation Review. Interim report 2. Revised results of particle size analysis, March 1993. (Contractor: Analytical & Environmental Services, Wallsend.) Unpublished report to Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (AES Report, No. X20C/1.)

Turner, G.S., Cunningham, E., Rickards, K.F., & Cavanagh, R.1993. Benthic sampling on the Berwickshire coast for Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Marine Nature Conservation Review. Results of benthic analysis, November 1993. (Contractor: Analytical & Environmental Services, Wallsend.) Unpublished report to Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (AES Report, No. X4D/2.)

Turner, G.S., Cunningham, E., Rickards, K.F., Lewis, G.D., & McCaughey, J. 1993. Benthic sampling on the Berwickshire coast for Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Marine Nature Conservation Review. Results of benthic analysis, April 1993. (Contractor: Analytical & Environmental Services, Wallsend.) Unpublished report to Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (AES Report, No. X20C/3.)

Emblow C.S., Picton B.E., Morrow C.C., Sides E.M. and Costello M.J. 1994. Marine communities of the Bantry Bay area, and an assessment of their conservation importance. Field survey report, Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.

Emblow C.S., Picton B.E., Sides E.M., Morrow C.C. and Costello M.J. 1995. Marine communities of the Youghal Bay area, and an assessment of their conservation importance. Field survey report, Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.

Picton B.E., Emblow C.S., Morrow C.C., Sides E.M. and Costello M.J. 1994. Marine communities of the Mulroy Bay and Lough Swilly area, north-west Ireland with an assessment of their nature conservation importance. Field survey report, Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.

Sides E.M., Picton B.E., Emblow C.S., Morrow C.C., and Costello M.J. 1994. Marine communities of Kilkieran Bay, the Aran Islands and the Skerd Rocks and an assessment of their conservation importance. Field survey report, Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.

Lockhart N., Madden B., Wolfe-Murphy S., Wymer E. and Wyse-Jackson M. (1993) National ASI Survey guidelines for ecologists. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.

Wymer E. (1992) The sites database requirements specifications. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.

Davies J. & Foster-Smith R.L. 1994. Mapping the distribution of benthic biotopes at Sarn Bardig and St Tudwal's Island, Tremadog Bay. A BioMar report prepared for the Countryside Council for Wales. Foster-Smith R.L. 1992. Remote survey methods for Phase 1 survey. A Seasearch report for the Countryside Council for Wales.

Foster-Smith R.L. & Davies J. 1993. Remote survey and mapping of maerl beds of Rousay Sound and environs, Orkney. A BioMar report for Scottish Natural Heritage.

Foster-Smith R.L. & Davies J. 1993. Survey of the marine environment of north Northumberland: an assessment of the conservation interest of the marine biotopes. A BioMar report for English Nature and the National Trust for England and Wales.

Foster-Smith, R.L. & Davidson, A. (1995). Mapping survey of the sublittoral biotopes of the Sussex coast: Worthing - Beachy Head. English Nature Report.

Foster-Smith, R.L., Sotheran, I., Foster-Smith, J.L. & Bunker, F. 1995. Sublittoral and littoral biotope survey of the Berwickshire coast. A report for Scottish Natural Heritage.

Davies, J. & Sotheran, I.S. 1995. An evaluation of the RoxAnn system as a tool for mapping the distribution of kelp biotopes. A BioMar report to Scottish Natural Heritage.

Davies, J. & Sotheran, I.S. 1995. Field report for the mapping survey of the sublittoral of biotopes at Flamborough Head. Report to the Joint Nature Conservation Review.

Nijkamp H., Peet G., Bus M., Nollkamper A., Gubbay S., Rossum van J. and Slegtenhorst C. 1994. Marine protected areas in Europe. Volumes 1 (76 pp) & 2 (231 pp), AID Environment, Amsterdam.

Gubbay S. 1993. Marine protected areas in European waters: the British Isles. A report to Biomar from the Marine Conservation Society, Ross-on-Wye, UK.

2. PRESENTATIONS AT OPEN MEETINGS

By Trinity College Dublin

Author	Date	Title of presentation	Conference and Venue
Costello M.J.	January 1993	An introduction to BioMar. "Marine coastal zone management: identification, description and mapping of biotopes"	3rd Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Belfast
Costello, M.J.	January 1993	Development of the BioMar database, and its contribution to nature conservation management in the Irish Sea	Irish Sea Forum meeting on "Marine and coastal databases", Liverpool, UK
Picton B.E.	March 1993	Species rarity: its assessment and relevance to conservation	Porcupine conference, Peterborough
Costello M.J.	March 1993	The BioMar project: developing a system of the collection and management of marine conservation information	Porcupine conference, Peterborough
Costello M.J. and Mills P.	April 1993	Describing, classifying and mapping of coastal biotopes in Ireland	European Union of Coastal Conservation conference on "Coastal management and habitat conservation", Marathona, Greece
Picton B.E.	October 1993	Surveying marine habitats and communities around Ireland	Annual meeting of the NPWS, Galway
Kelly K.S. and Costello M.J.	January 1994	A review of marine related papers in The Irish Naturalists' Journal (1925-1993)	4th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Galway
Picton B.E., Sides E.M., Emblow C., Morrow C. and Costello M.J.	January 1994	The BioMar project - a survey of marine habitats and species around the Irish coast	4th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Galway
Picton B.E.	February - March 1994	The BioMar project - a survey of marine habitats and species around the Irish coast	Zoology Department and Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin
Picton B.E.	April 1994	The BioMar project - a survey of marine habitats and species around the Irish coast	Connemara Seaweek, Letterfrack, Co. Galway
Picton B.E.	October 1994	Identification and mapping of marine biotopes.	The Coastwatch Europe Coastal Zone Management conference, Dublin.
BioMar (unauthored)	October 1994	The BioMar project	The Coastwatch Europe Coastal Zone Management conference, Dublin.
Sides E.M.	December 1994	BioMar: a field survey of the benthic marine habitats of Ireland	Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, Dublin.
Costello M.J., Emblow C.S. and Picton B.E.	September 1994	Long term trends in the discovery of marine species new to science in Britain and Ireland.	Marine Biodiversity: causes and consequences, conference, York.
Picton B.E.	November 1994	The BioMar project - a survey of marine habitats and species around the Irish coast	Marine Conservation Society annual meeting, Manchester
Morrow C.C., Picton B.E., Sides E.M., Emblow C.S. and Costello M.J.	January 1995	The role of sponge taxonomy in the development of a marine biotope classification	5th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Cork
Morrow C.C., Picton B.E., Hunt J., Sides E.M., Emblow C.S. and Costello M.J.	January 1995	Some rare and under-recorded marine species from the Irish coast	5th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Cork
BioMar (unauthored)	January 1995	The BioMar project	5th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Cork
Crean E., Gillmor J., Duffy L., Costello M.J. and Mills P.	February 1995	A computer model for predicting the exposure of coastal areas to wave action	Coastal GIS conference, Cork
Sides E.M.	February 1995	BioMar: a field survey of the benthic marine habitats of Ireland	Biological Society of University College Dublin, Dublin
Picton, B.E.	April 1995	The Species Directory Marine Database: a hierarchical taxonomic database for species-oriented biological recording in the marine environment	Xth Workshop on Atlanto-Mediterranean Sponge Taxonomy - Biodiversity databases and Identification systems
Picton, B.E.	April 1995	Image standards and formats for computer biodiversity databases and identification systems	Xth Workshop on Atlanto-Mediterranean Sponge Taxonomy - Biodiversity databases and Identification systems
Picton, B.E. & Lazo-Wasem, E.	April 1995	Use of the Internet for co-ordination and dissemination of biodiversity data and database projects	Xth Workshop on Atlanto-Mediterranean Sponge Taxonomy - Biodiversity databases and Identification systems
Morrow, C.C.	April 1995	The taxonomy of the Family Polymastiidae (Porifera) in Irish waters	Xth Workshop on Atlanto-Mediterranean Sponge Taxonomy - Biodiversity databases and Identification systems
Morrow, C.C.	May 1995	The role of sponge taxonomy in the development of a marine biotope classification	Porcupine meeting, Millport
Morrow, C.C.	July 1995	The taxonomy of the Family Polymastiidae (Porifera) in Irish waters	Taxonomy: Principles and Practices, at the University of Glasgow in association with the National Environmental Research Council and the Systematics Association
Costello, M.J. and the BioMar team	Sept. 1995	Conference organiser - Strategies and Methods in Coastal and Estuarine Management	25th annual symposium of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association, Dublin.
Costello, M.J.	Sept. 1995	Marine Nature Conservation in Ireland and the BioMar project	European Nature Conservation Year Seminar series to Local Authorities, Westport, Co. Mayo.

By the Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Author	Date	Title of presentation	Venue
Connor D.W.	Sept. 1992	Norwegian fjords - are they really the same as sealochs?	Marine Conservation Society Annual conference, Nottingham
Connor D.W.	Oct. 1992	The sublittoral ecology of Scotland's islands	The islands of Scotland - our marine heritage conference, Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness
Hiscock K.	March 1993	Rocky shore assemblages - communities or continua?	Scottish Marine Group, Aberdeen
Hiscock K.	March 1993	The role of classification of habitats and communities in the work of the MNCR.	Porcupine conference, Peterborough
Hiscock K. & Connor D.W.	March 1993	Why and how to classify marine communities.	Porcupine conference, Peterborough
Covey R.	April 1993	MNCR studies of the eastern basin of the Irish Sea - the Solway in a regional context	Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association local meeting, Penrith
Connor D.W., Hiscock K., Foster-Smith R.L. & Covey R.	Sept. 1993	A classification system for benthic marine biotopes	28th European Marine Biology Symposium, Crete
Holt R., Brazier P. & Murray E.	Sept. 1993	Conservation of marine biotopes on the coastline of SE Scotland & NE England	28th European Marine Biology Symposium, Crete
Connor D.W	April 1994	Benthic community studies on the North Sea coast of Great Britain: their application for coastal zone management and sensitivity mapping	North Sea Quality Status Report scientific symposium, Ebeltoft, Denmark
Connor D.W.	May 1994	Development of a marine biotopes classification	International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) Benthic Working Group, Yserke, Netherlands
Holt R.H.J., Brazier P. & Murray E.	June 1994	Marine Nature Conservation Review studies on coastal marine habitats of SE Scotland - NE England	The Yorkshire coast: environmental sciences and management, University College Scarborough
Hiscock K.	Sept. 1994	Conserving biodiversity in NE Atlantic marine ecosystems: a practical guide	Marine Biodiversity: causes and consequences, Marine Biological Association of the UK conference, University of York.
Connor D.W.	Sept. 1994	Marine benthic surveys and their role in the conservation of biodiversity (paper & poster)	Marine Biodiversity: causes and consequences, Marine Biological Association of the UK conference, University of York.
Connor, D.W. & Hill, T.O.	Sept. 1995	A classification of marine biotopes and its application for conservation manangement	ECSA 95 Symposium, Trinity College, Dublin
Sanderson, W.S.	Sept. 1995	Assessing 'rarity' of marine benthic species - development and application of criteria in Great Britain	ECSA 95 Symposium, Trinity College, Dublin
Sanderson, W.S.	March 1995	Rare marine benthic flora and fauna in Great Britain: criteria and application	Porcupine conference, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland
Covey, R.	March 1995	The development of a marine biotope classification for the north-east Atlantic	Porcupine conference, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland
Holt, R.H.F.	March 1995	Comparison of diving and remote video techniques for sublittoral survey	Society for Underwater Technology conference, Universtiy of Stirling
Connor, D.W.	May 1995	The BioMar project and development of a marine biotope classification	International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) Benthic Working Group, Faroe Islands
Connor, D.W.	Sept. 95	A classification of marine biotopes and its application for conservation management	ECSA25 Symposium, Trinity College, Dublin

By the University of Newcastle

Author	Date	Title	Venue
Foster-Smith R.L. & Davies J.	Dec. 1993	Development of a methodology for mapping the distribution and extent of intertidal and subtidal habitats	Countryside Council for Wales sponsored Beaumaris workshop
Davies J.	Feb. 1994	Seabed mapping	Meeting of the Underwater Science Group of the Soc. for Underwater Technology
Foster-Smith R.L.	June 1994	Biotope maps and their importance for coastal management in Northumberland	Meeting of the North Sea Forum hosted by Northumberland County Council
Davies J.	Nov. 1994	GIS and mapping seabed biotopes	BioMar workshop Cambridge
Sotheran I.	Feb. 1995	Simple towed video system for observation of the seafloor	Meeting of the Underwater Science Group of the Soc. for Underwater Technology
Foster-Smith, R.L.	Sept. 1995	Scale: an important consideration for the assessment of marine biotopes	Poster presentation to the Dublin ECSA 95 conference
Davies, J., Sotheran, I. & Foster-Smith, R.L.	Sept. 1995	GIS and biotope mapping	Poster presentation to the Dublin ECSA 95 conference
Sotheran, I.S., Davies, J. & Foster-Smith, R.L.	Sept. 1995	Mapping of marine benthic habitats using image processing techniques within a raster-based GIS	ECSA 95 conference, Trinity College, Dublin

Information note on BioMar - LIFE progress March 1996