ALDERNEY WILDLIFE TRUST

MARINE ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS

Casquets

A report submitted to Alderney Wildlife Trust

Alderney Wildlife Trust 51 Victoria Street

Alderney Channel Islands

GY9 3TA

Tel/ Fax: 01481 822935 Email: manager@alderneywildlife.org

Website: www.alderneywildlife.org

October 2014

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MARINE ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS

Casquets

Controlled Copy

01 0f 02

Report compiled by: Melanie Broadhurst

Reviewed by: Roland Gauvain, Tim Morley and Lindsay Pyne

October 2014

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CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................................... - 4 -

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. - 5 -

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... - 6 - 1.1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... - 6 - 1.2. SITE DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................... - 6 -

2. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................... - 8 - 2.1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... - 8 - 2.2. INTERTIDAL HABITAT SURVEY ....................................................................................... - 8 - 2.3. INTERTIDAL SPECIES SURVEY ........................................................................................ - 8 - 2.4. SUB-TIDAL SNORKEL...................................................................................................... - 9 - 2.5. MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES SURVEY ............................................................................ - 9 -

3. RESULTS .............................................................................................................................. - 10 - 3.1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... - 10 - 3.2. INTERTIDAL HABITAT SURVEY ..................................................................................... - 10 -

3.2.1. INTERTIDAL HABITATS OF SPECIAL INTEREST ....................................................... - 11 -

3.3. INTERTIDAL SPECIES SURVEY ...................................................................................... - 12 - 3.4. SUB-TIDAL SNORKEL.................................................................................................... - 16 - 3.5. MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES SURVEY .......................................................................... - 16 -

4. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................... - 17 -

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................... - 18 -

6. APPENDICIES ...................................................................................................................... - 19 - APPENDIX 1: INTERTIDAL BIOTOPE CLASSIFICATION ........................................................ - 20 - APPENDIX 2: INTERTIDAL SURVEY MAPS ........................................................................... - 25 - APPENDIX 3: INTERTIDAL BIOTOPE DESCRIPTION, OCCURRENCE, SIZE AND SIGNIFICANCE ............................................................................................................................................ - 28 - APPENDIX 4: INTERTIDAL SPECIES ASSESSMENT (taken from Davies et al., 2001). .......... - 30 - APPENDIX 5: MNCR SACFOR INFORMATION (taken from Connor and Hiscock, 1996). ... - 36 - APPENDIX 6: MACROALGAE AND FAUNAL SPECIES RECORDED WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA, 2014. .......................................................................................................... - 37 - APPENDIX 7: SACFOR ABUNDANCE SCALES FOR BARNACLE AND SPONGE SPECIES WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA, 2014. ................................................................................. - 39 - APPENDIX 8: MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES INFORMATION WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA. .................................................................................................................................. - 40 -

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ABBREVIATIONS

ArcView 9.3 Geographical information system; digital mapping program AWT Alderney Wildlife Trust EUNIS European Nature Information System GIS Geographical Information System Ha Hectares JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee MARLIN Marine Life Information Network (internet database resource) UK United Kingdom

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report describes a series of marine surveys conducted on Casquets, which is an offshore islet, west of Alderney, Channel Islands. The islet comprises of an un-manned lighthouse which is managed and owned by Trinity House. Trinity House gave the Alderney Wildlife Trust (AWT) permission to undertake the marine surveys on Casquets in June, 2014. The marine surveys included: intertidal habitat assessment, intertidal species assessment, sub-tidal snorkel assessment and a marine mammal survey. The marine surveys identified 16 intertidal habitats; 10 intertidal macroalgae; 3 faunal species; and 1 marine mammal species. The majority of the recorded intertidal and subtidal habitats and species identified portrayed common or low ecological status. This grading is based on their abundance, diversity and distributional position within the Channel Islands and the British Isles as a whole. The marine mammals species recorded (grey seal) is, however, considered of conservation importance throughout Europe.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. BACKGROUND

AWT was given permission by Trinity House to visit the Casquets to undertake a series of marine ecological surveys. The Casquets is an offshore islet with an un-manned lighthouse owned by Trinity House and is located west of Alderney. The aim of this study is to provide a baseline record of the marine ecology on and around Casquets, as few in-depth marine records currently exist. In addition, the islet is adjacent to Alderney’s Ramsar Site and potential future tidal energy development site. Therefore any recorded baseline information may be useful for future ecological comparison/ monitoring assessments. To fulfil the above brief and assess the marine ecology of Casquets, a number of surveys were conducted. This included an intertidal habitat assessment, intertidal species assessment, sub-tidal snorkel assessment and marine mammal survey. The report details the following information: - Site description; - Survey methodologies; - Results; - Conclusions.

1.2. SITE DESCRIPTION

The survey area is an offshore islet, west of Alderney located in the Channel Islands (Fig 1.1). The Casquets is an extremely exposed offshore islet, which predominately comprises of bedrock. The islet is surrounded by smaller offshore rock-stacks. Strong tidal currents are found surrounding the islet, with inshore sub-littoral depths ranging from 11 – 28 metres (Admiralty Leisure, 2004). The islet comprises of an unmanned lighthouse, owned by Trinity House. Prior to the lighthouse, the islet housed several families during the 1960’s.

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Fig 1.1. Location of the Casquets survey area, 2014. Yellow line represents boundary of survey area.

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2. METHODOLOGY

2.1. BACKGROUND

The marine ecological surveys were completed during one visit to Casquets on 12th June, 2014. Report data entry, analysis and report writing were undertaken in September, 2014.

2.2. INTERTIDAL HABITAT SURVEY

To fulfil the brief an intertidal habitat biotope survey was conducted within the survey area, following the intertidal resource mapping methodology from the JNCC Marine Monitoring Handbook (Davis et al., 2001). This method uses aerial photography and field-based ground truthing methods to map the marine habitats present. The field-based ground-truthing was completed to the lowest available mean water mark, where possible, either on foot or by boat. Habitat biotopes were classified following The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version 04.05 (revised by JNCC, Connor et al., 2004). This classification is one of the most comprehensive marine habitat classification systems and is fully compatible with the European EUNIS habitat classification system. The presence, frequency and spatial distribution of each habitat biotope within the survey area were recorded and analysed using GIS ArcView 9.3 mapping applications. The survey did not require the assistance of the JNCC Marine Information Team as the majority of habitats were accurately identified.

2.3. INTERTIDAL SPECIES SURVEY

The survey method followed the JNCC procedural guideline number 3 – 11; littoral monitoring using fixed quadrat photography survey, which was taken from the JNCC Marine Monitoring Handbook (Davis et al., 2001). This method is used to complement the habitat survey and assess intertidal species at a more in-depth quantitative level. The survey method involved selecting 11 survey monitoring station locations across the survey area (Figure 1.1). These were chosen to represent a range of intertidal habitats. A 1 m2 quadrat square frame was placed at each survey station and photographed from an appropriate angle and height. Additional ecological information was recorded within each quadrat, which included cryptic macroalgae and faunal species (beneath other dense, dominating macro algae fronds) presence and abundance. The geographical position of each quadrat station was then recorded with GPS (dGPS hand-held and camera dGPS systems), taken for potential future repetitive surveys. Photographs of each quadrat were then post-processed and analysed using the software package ‘Image J’ in terms of: - Substrate type and percentage cover (following a generalized version of the Wentworth 1922 classification); - Macroalgae species type and percentage cover;

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- Faunal species type and abundance count; - Barnacle species type and percentage cover using the MNCR SACFOR abundance/density scale technique (Connor and Hiscock, 1996). For data analysis, all information was entered into separate substrate, macroalgae and faunal species dataset matrices, in Microsoft Excel. Intertidal substrates were determined by their overall proportion within the survey area, expressed as a percentage (%). Macroalgae species were assessed in terms of species cover, bio-diversity and composition. Faunal species were assessed in terms of abundance, bio-diversity and composition. All biotic datasets (macroalgae and fauna) were assessed using the Primer v6 multivariate statistical software package (Clark and Gorey, 2006). The biotic datasets were square-root transformed prior to analyses, to weigh the contributions of common and rare species for multivariate analyses, and checked by draftsman plots (Clarke and Gorey, 2006). To assess macroalgae and faunal species biodiversity, the Primer v6 DIVERSE routine was used to generate the species richness (S) diversity measure, for each quadrat. To further assess the overall similarity of macroalgae and faunal species composition across the survey area, non- multidimensional scaling ordination plot techniques (nMDS) were used. This was based on the Bray-Curtis similarity resemblance matrices, and produced an ordination plot (based on 50 randomization starts), used to visually assess the ‘closeness’ of the samples (quadrats). These plots were linked to separate cluster analyses, which generate a contour line drawn round the nMDS points based on the apparent clustered groups. This method gives confidence in both analyses and further outlines approximations to high-dimensional marine biotic patterns (Clarke and Gorey, 2006). The ordination stress level values were used to outline the ordination goodness of fit (≤ 0.1 = good fit). In addition, throughout the visit to Casquets, additional intertidal species were recorded which were not found during the fixed quadrat photography survey.

2.4. SUB-TIDAL SNORKEL

An opportunistic pilot snorkel survey was undertaken surrounding the survey area. This comprised of a snorkeler using a Go-Pro video camera to dive and video any marine species, where possible. The video was then post-processed and analysed using the software package ‘Image J’ in terms of: - Macroalgae species presence; - Faunal species presence; Analyses predominately comprised of species lists and descriptions.

2.5. MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES SURVEY

Opportunistic sightings of marine mammal species were recorded throughout the visit to the Casquets. Marine mammal species presence, number and behaviour were recorded, where possible.

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3. RESULTS

3.1. INTRODUCTION

The results of the marine ecological surveys undertaken on Casquets are presented in Sections 3.2 – 3.5.

3.2. INTERTIDAL HABITAT SURVEY

A total of 16 intertidal habitats were recorded across a total survey area of 34,256.57 m2. Habitats portrayed a similar range of abiotic characteristics (exposure and feature type) throughout the survey area, with representative marine species (Table 3.1; Appendix 2). The most predominant and frequently occurring habitats recorded were identified as high energy littoral features on stable bedrock, such as lichen and barnacle mosaic habitats covering bedrock substrate (Appendix 3). These habitats exhibit high to extremely high wave exposure and strong tidal stream conditions, with associated species known to adapt to such strong abiotic conditions. Table 3.1. Classification and description of the intertidal habitat recorded within the survey area, 2014.

Habitat Type Habitat Code Description

High energy littoral rock

(and other substrata)

LR.HLR.MusB.Cht Chthamalus spp. on exposed eulittoral rock

LR.HLR.MusB.Sem Semibalanus balanoides on exposed to moderately exposed or vertical sheltered eulittoral rock

LR.HLR.MusB.Sem.FvesR S. balanoides, P. vulgata, Littorina spp. on exposed/moderately exposed/vertical sheltered eulittoral rock

LR.HLR.FR.Coff C. officinalis and M. stellatus on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock

LR.HLR.FR.Him H. elongata and red seaweeds on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock

LR.HLR.FR.Mas M. stellatus and C. crispus on very exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock

LR.HLR.FT.FserTX Fucus serratus with sponges, ascidians and red seaweeds on tide-swept lower eulittoral mixed substrata

Moderate energy littoral rock

(and other substrata)

LR.MLR.BF.FvesB F. vesiculosus and barnacle mosaics on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock

Features of littoral rock LR.FLR.Lic.YG Yellow and grey lichens on supralittoral rock

LR.FLR.Lic.Ver V. maura on littoral fringe rock

LR.FLR.Rkp.G Green seaweeds (Enteromorpha spp. And Cladophora spp.) in shallow upper shore rock-pools

LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor Coralline crust-dominated shallow eulittoral rockpools

Ephemeral green or red communities

LR.FLR.Eph.Ent Enteromorpha spp. on freshwater-influenced and/or unstable upper eulittoral rock

LR.FLR.Eph.EntPor P. purpurea and Enteromorpha spp. on sand scoured mid or lower eulittoral rock

High energy infralittoral rock

(and other substrata)

IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala Alaria esculenta on exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock

Moderate energy infralittoral rock

IR.MIR.KR.Ldig Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock

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3.2.1. INTERTIDAL HABITATS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

A small number of these recorded habitats are considered of relevant ecological importance. These are listed below in habitat classification order and not listed in priority of ecological significance. Habitat descriptions, importance and interest are based on information from the JNCC, Marlin and UKBAP in terms of presence, distribution and ecological status. i) LR.HLR.FR.Coff: C. officinalis and M. stellatus on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock. The habitat was recorded six times within the survey site, covering a total area of 240.43 m². It occurs on lower exposed rock, moderately exposed vertical rock and wave surged rocky slopes. It supports a dense turf of the red seaweed Corallina officinalis, with a low abundance of other turf forming red seaweeds such Lomentaria articulata, Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata and Osmundea pinnatifida. The habitat is regarded as scarce within the British Isles and has a moderate status based on its ability to sustain epiphytic fauna, providing food sources such as amphipods for intertidal creatures, fish and seabirds. ii) LR.HLR.FT.FserTX: Fucus serratus with sponges, ascidians and red seaweeds on tide-swept lower eulittoral mixed substrata. This habitat was recorded once within the survey site, covering a total area of 36.1 m2. It occurs on sheltered lower shore boulders, cobbles and pebbles, with muddy sediments that are subject to enhanced tidal water movements. It is characterized by a community of sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, ascidians and red seaweeds. Brown seaweeds such as Fucus serratus, Dictyota dichotoma and Ectocarpus spp are found on more stable substrata. The habitat is regarded as uncommon within the British Isles and has a moderate status based on its ability to provide food sources for seabirds. iii) IR.MIR.KR.Ldig: Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock. This habitat was identified to occur across the survey site within the lower shore, subtidal environment. However, its overall distribution and location was not accurately recorded within the survey area. This is due to the survey methods used in this study not able to assess the full extent of habitats in the sub-tidal environment (i.e. water depths from 5 m onwards). The habitat occurs on sheltered bedrock, boulders and cobbles that are subject to moderate to strong tidal water movement characterized by dense Laminaria digitata, ascidians and bryozoans. The increased water movement encourages several filter-feeding faunal groups to occur, such as sponges and ascidians. The habitat is regarded as scarce within the British Isles and has a moderate status. The fauna associated with the holdfasts of Laminaria digitata are known to be highly diverse and may provide an important refuge for juveniles of some larger invertebrate species or commercial species.

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3.3. INTERTIDAL SPECIES SURVEY

Intertidal substrate composition A total number of four intertidal substrate types were recorded during the intertidal species survey, using the fixed quadrat photography methodology (JNCC procedural guideline number 3 – 11, Davies et al., 2001). The primary substrate type recorded within the Casquets survey area was bedrock (Table 3.2).

Table 3.2. Intertidal substrate type and composition within the Casquets survey area, 2014. Composition is expressed as mean percentage (%) across the quadrat survey stations. Bold indicates proportions > 15 %.

Substrate type Composition (%)

Bedrock 90.9

Boulders 1.81

Rocks 1.36

Cobbles 5.93

Macroalgae species A total number of 10 marine algae species were recorded during the intertidal species survey, using the fixed quadrat photography methodology within the Casquets survey area. This included 3 Ascomycota (lichen), 1 Chlorophyta, 2 Ochrophyta and 4 Rhodophyta taxonomic grouped species (Appendix 6). Marine algae species’ total percentage (%) cover fluctuated across the different quadrat survey stations, from 2 – 100% (average % cover: 29.3%; Fig 3.1a). Macro algae species richness (S) generally ranged from 1 – 2 species within each quadrat survey station, with station 7 consisting of 4 species (Fig 3.1b).

Fig 3.1. a) Macroalgae total percentage cover (%) and b) species richness (S) for each quadrat survey station within the Casquets survey area, 2014.

a) b) Macroalgae species composition generally differed across the different quadrat survey stations (Fig 3.2). The most frequently occurring species were Ulva intestinalis and Porphyra umbilicalis. The nMDS analysis represented the overall relationship of the macroalgae species composition between the 11 survey quadrat stations (Fig 3.3). A number of clusters were identified, which relate to the types and proportions of macroalgae species recorded within

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the quadrat survey stations. This included clusters between the stations: 1, 2 and 4 (Fucus vesiculosus with the lichens, Caloplaca marina or Verrucaria maura present); 6 and 11 (F. vesiculosus present), and, 5, 8 and 10 (P. umbilicalis present). These macroalgae species’ ecological statuses are recognised as common or widespread throughout the Channel Islands and UK. Fig 3.2. Macroalgae species composition for each quadrat survey station, within the Casquets survey area, 2014.

It should be noted that a number of macroalgae species were also sighted during the visit to Casquets, which were not identified during the intertidal species (fixed quadrat photography) survey. This included 1 Ascomycota (lichen), 3 Chlorophyta and 1 Ochrophyta taxonomic grouped species (Appendix 6). These species were identified as anecdotal sighting records.

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Figure 3.3. Non-metric 2-D multidimensional scaling ordination of macroalgae species community composition for each quadrat survey station within the Casquets survey area, 2014. Full red lines represent 20% similarity of

the samples, blue lines represent 40% and black lines represent 60%. Numbers represent the quadrat survey station number. Routines are carried out in the Primer v6 software, with all data square-root transformed prior

to analysis, with stress values given.

Fauna A total number of 3 faunal species were recorded during the intertidal species survey, using the fixed quadrat photography methodology within the Casquets survey area. This included 1 Arthropoda (SACFOR species count) and 2 Gastropoda (singleton species count; Appendix 6). A total number of 74 faunal individuals (n) were recorded within the quadrat survey stations. Abundance varied across the quadrat survey stations, with quadrat 6 comprising of the largest number (n: 38; Fig 3.4a). Species richness (S) was low, with several quadrat survey stations without any recorded species (Fig 3.4b).

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Fig 3.4. a) Faunal species abundance (n) and b) species richness (S) for each quadrat survey station within the Casquets survey area, 2014.

a) b) The composition of the faunal species (singleton species count) primarily consisted of the limpet, Patella vulgata and the common periwinkle, Littorina littorea. The nMDS analysis represented the overall relationship of the faunal species composition between the 11 survey quadrat stations (Fig 3.5). Two clusters were identified which was due to the presence/absence of P. vulgata and L. littorea between the stations: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 (L. littorea or quadrats with no species present) and 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 (P. vulgata present). The barnacle species, Chthamalus stellatus was recorded within the quadrat survey stations using the SACFOR methodology (Appendix 5). This species occurred within 3 quadrats (Q: 6, 9 and 11), with the SACFOR density (percentage cover %) descriptions described as either rare or superabundant (Appendix 7). Overall, these species’ ecological statuses were identified as common or widespread, found throughout the Channel Islands and the British Isles. L. littorea is also common throughout the British Isles, but considered rare within the Channel Islands. It should be noted that a number of faunal species were also sighted during the visit to Casquets, which were not identified during the intertidal species (fixed quadrat photography) survey. This included 1 Anthozoa and 2 Gastropoda (singleton species count; Appendix 6). These species were identified as anecdotal sighting records.

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Figure 3.5. Non-metric 2-D multidimensional scaling ordination of faunal species community composition for each quadrat survey station within the Casquets survey area, 2014. Full red lines represent 40% similarity of the samples, blue lines represent 60% and black lines represent 80%. Numbers represent the quadrat survey station

number. Routines are carried out in the Primer v6 software, with all data square-root transformed prior to analysis, with stress values given.

3.4. SUB-TIDAL SNORKEL

A total number of 6 sub-tidal snorkel videos (using Go-Pro equipment) were taken within the sub-tidal environment surrounding the Casquets survey area. The videos generally showed (qualitatively) a sub-tidal environment consisting of a mixture of substrates (bedrock, boulders, cobbles and sand) which were dominated by macro-algae species (kelp species). From these videos a total of 10 macroalgae species were identified, which included 1 Chlorophyta, 5 Ochrophyta and 4 Rhodophyta taxonomic grouped species (Appendix 6). 1 faunal species was also recorded, which included 1 Arthropoda (singleton species count; Appendix 6).

3.5. MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES SURVEY

A total number of nine sightings of the grey seal, Halichoerus grypus were recorded during the visit to the Casquets. This marine mammal species was frequently sighted throughout the day around Casquets, primarily from the AWT boat, Sula and tender (see Appendix 8). The sightings predominately comprised of adult seals and also one seal pup (adult/pup ratio: 9:1). These individuals general showed behaviours such as tracking (i.e. surfacing following the boat), watching surveyors on Casquets and splashing (diving suddenly if startled). Overall, this suggests that the Casquets is a potential temporary haul out- breeding site for this marine mammal species.

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4. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS This section provides conclusions drawn from the marine ecological surveys. The marine surveys conducted on and around Casquets identified 16 intertidal habitats; 21 intertidal/sub-littoral macroalgae; 7 faunal species; and 1 marine mammal species. These surveys showed, in general, that the Casquets is a highly exposed islet, with low biological diversity and composition. The majority of the habitats and species recorded are commonly found within the Channel Islands and the UK, and are of moderate or low ecological status. However, the marine surveys also recorded the presence of grey seals, H. grypus, which is acknowledged an important marine mammal species both across the UK and Europe (i.e. it is listed as an EU Habitats Directive Annex II species). It would therefore be useful to focus any potential future marine surveys on this particular species on and around Casquets. It would also be valuable to repeat these marine surveys where appropriate (i.e. every five years, following JNCC survey recommendations), to monitor the long-term patterns of ecology on this offshore islet.

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5. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Admiralty Leisure. 2004. Alderney and the Casquets 1:25,000. SC60. Admiralty Leisure. Conner, D. W., Brazier, D.P., Hill. T.O., & Northen, K.O. 1997. Marine Conservation Review: marine biotope classification for Britain and Ireland. Vol.1. Littoral biotopes. Version 97.06. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Report, No. 229. Conner, D. W., Allen, J.H., Golding, N., Howell, K.L. Lieberknecht, L. M., Northen, K.O., & Reker, J. B. 2004. The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version 04.05. JNCC, Peterborough. Dainton, C.J. 1986. The Geology of Alderney, CI. University of Central Wales. pp 64. Davies, J., Baxter, J., Bradley, M., Connor, D., Khan, J., Murray, E., Sanderson, W., Turnbull, C. & Vincent, M. 2001, Marine Monitoring Handbook, 405 pp. Fritter, R., Fritter, A. & Blamey, M. 1996. Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe. HarperCollins Publisher, London. Hayward, P., Nelson- Smith, T. & Shields, C. 1996. Seashore of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins Publisher, London. JNCC. 2014. Joint Nature Conservation Committee [Online] http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/species.asp?FeatureIntCode=S1364 [Accessed: 10/09/2014]. JNCC. 2004. Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey - a technique for environmental Audit. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 78pp. Sanderson, W.G. 1996. Rare Marine Flora and Fauna in Great Britain: the development of criteria for assessment. Provisional list of Rare and Scarce Marine Species (not red-listed). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. UKBAP. 2008. UK Biodiversity Action Plan; Priority Habitat Descriptions. BRIG (ed. Ant Maddock). Wood, C. 2005. Seasearch Guide to Sea Anemones and Corals of Britain and Ireland. Marine Conservation Society, Ross on Wye. Wood, C. 2007. Seasearch Survey of Alderney. Marine Conservation Society, Ross on Wye.

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6. APPENDICIES

APPENDIX 1: INTERTIDAL BIOTOPE CLASSIFICATION APPENDIX 2: INTERTIDAL SURVEY MAPS APPENDIX 3: INTERTIDAL BIOTOPE DESCRIPTIONS, OCCURRENCE, SIZE AND SIGNIFICANCE APPENDIX 4: INTERTIDAL SPECIES ASSESSMENT (taken from Davies et al., 2001). APPENDIX 5: MNCR SACFOR INFORMATION (taken from Connor and Hiscock, 1996). APPENDIX 6: MACROALGAE AND FAUNAL SPECIES RECORDED WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA, 2014. APPENDIX 7: SACFOR ABUNDANCE SCALES FOR BARNACLE AND SPONGE SPECIES WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA, 2014. APPENDIX 8: MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES INFORMATION WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA.

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APPENDIX 1: INTERTIDAL BIOTOPE CLASSIFICATION

The intertidal biotope classification information below is taken from the JNCC 04.05 document (Conner et al., 1997).

1) Biotope definition: A biotope is defined as the combination of an abiotic habitat associated with a community of species. It can be defined at a variety of scales (with related corresponding degrees of species similarity) and should be a regularly occurring association to justify its inclusion within a classification system. Abiotic classification terminology and definitions: The following terminology and definition for abiotic/ physical habitat characteristics are taken from guidance notes for MNCR field recording (Hiscock ed. 1996). This includes salinity, wave exposure, tidal currents, zone and substratum, which are summarised below. Salinity - The categories are defined as follows (the points of separation approximate to critical tolerance limits for marine species):

Salinity Level %

Fully marine 30-40 ‰

Variable 18-40 ‰

Reduced 18-30 ‰

Low < 18 ‰

Wave exposure - These categories take account of the aspect of the coast (related to direction of prevailing or strong winds), the fetch (distance to nearest land), its openness (the degree of open water offshore) and its profile (the depth profile of water adjacent to the coast). Estimation of wave exposure requires inspection of charts and maps.

Exposure Type

Description

Extremely exposed

This category is for the few open coastlines which face into prevailing wind and receive oceanic swell without any offshore breaks (such as islands or shallows) for several thousand km and where deep water is close to the shore (50 m depth contour within about 300 m, e.g. Rockall).

Very exposed

These are open coasts which face into prevailing winds and receive oceanic swell without any offshore breaks (such as islands or shallows) for several hundred km but where deep water is not close (>300 m) to the shore. They can be adjacent to extremely exposed sites but face away from prevailing winds (here swell and wave action will refract towards these shores) or where, although facing away from prevailing winds, strong winds and swell often occur

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(for instance, the east coast of Fair Isle).

Exposed

At these sites, prevailing wind is onshore although there is a degree of shelter because of extensive shallow areas offshore, offshore obstructions, a restricted (<90o) window to open water. These sites will not generally be exposed to strong or regular swell. This can also include open coasts facing away from prevailing winds but where strong winds with a long fetch are frequent.

Moderately exposed

These sites generally include open coasts facing away from prevailing winds and without a long fetch but where strong winds can be frequent.

Sheltered

At these sites, there is a restricted fetch and/or open water window. Coasts can face prevailing winds but with a short fetch (say <20 km) or extensive shallow areas offshore or may face away from prevailing winds.

Very sheltered

These sites are unlikely to have a fetch greater than 20 km (the exception being through a narrow (<30o) open water window, they face away from prevailing winds or have obstructions, such as reefs, offshore.

Extremely sheltered These sites are fully enclosed with fetch no greater than about 3 km.

Ultra sheltered Sites with fetch of a few tens or at most 100s of metres.

In the habitat classification exposed (as in exposed littoral rock) encompasses the extremely exposed, very exposed and exposed categories, whilst sheltered (as in sheltered littoral rock) encompasses sheltered to ultra-sheltered categories. Tidal currents (or streams) (maximum at surface) - This is maximum tidal current strength which affects the actual area surveyed. Note for shores and inshore areas this may differ considerably from the tidal currents present offshore. In some narrows and sounds the top of the shore may only be covered at slack water, but the lower shore is subject to fast running water.

Tidal Current Type Tidal Current Strength

Very strong > 6 knots (>3 m/sec.)

Strong 3-6 knots (>1.5-3 m/sec.)

Moderately strong 1-3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.)

Weak <1 knot (<0.5 m/sec.)

Very weak Negligible

In the habitat classification tide-swept habitats typically have moderately strong or stronger tidal currents. Zone - These definitions primarily relate to rocky habitats or those where algae grow (e.g. stable shallow sublittoral sediments).

Zone Type Description

Supralittoral Colonised by yellow and grey lichens, above the Littorina populations but generally below flowering plants.

Upper littoral fringe

This is the splash zone above High Water of Spring Tides with a dense band of the black lichen byVerrucaria maura. Littorina saxatilis and Littorina

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neritoides often present. May include saltmarsh species on shale/pebbles in shelter.

Lower littoral fringe

The Pelvetia (in shelter) or Porphyra (exposed) belt. With patchy Verrucaria maura, Verrucaria mucosa andLichina pygmaea present above the main barnacle population. May also include saltmarsh species on shale/pebbles in shelter.

Upper eulittoral

Barnacles and limpets present in quantity or with dense Fucus spiralis in sheltered locations.

Mid eulittoral

Barnacle-limpet dominated, sometimes mussels or dominated by Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum in sheltered locations. Mastocarpus stellatus and Palmaria palmata patchy in lower part. Usually quite a wide belt.

Lower eulittoral

Fucus serratus, Mastocarpus stellatus, Himanthalia elongata or Palmaria palmata variously dominant; barnacles sparse.

Sublittoral fringe

Dominated by Alaria esculenta (very exposed), Laminaria digitata (exposed to sheltered) or Laminaria saccharina (very sheltered) with encrusting coralline algae; barnacles sparse.

Upper infralittoral Dense forest of kelp.

Lower infralittoral

Sparse kelp park, dominated by foliose algae except where grazed. May lack kelp.

Upper circalittoral

Dominated by animals, lacking kelp but with sparse foliose algae except where grazed.

Lower circalittoral Dominated by animals with no foliose algae but encrusting coralline algae.

Substratum - Each division of sediment type represents two divisions on the Wentworth scale (Wentworth 1922).

Substrate Type Description

Bedrock Includes very soft rock-types such as chalk, peat and clay

Boulders Very large (>1024 mm), large (512-1024 mm), small (256-512 mm)

Cobbles 64-256 mm

Pebbles 16-64 mm

Gravel 4-16 mm

Coarse sand 1-4 mm

Medium sand 0.25-1 mm

Fine sand 0.063 - 0.25 mm

Mud <0.063 mm (the silt/clay fraction)

In the habitat classification, bedrock, stable boulders, cobbles or pebbles and habitats of mixed boulder, cobble, pebble and sediment (mixed substrata) as well as artificial substrata (concrete, wood, metal) are collectively referred to as rock. Highly mobile cobbles and pebbles (shingle), together with gravel and coarse sand are collectively referred to as coarse sediments. Mixed sediment consists of heterogeneous mixtures of gravel, sand and mud and may often have shells and stones also.

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2) Associated species classification and definitions: Biotic characterising species and communities combine to further classify biotope type.

Characterising species - A list of those species which contribute most to the overall similarity between core records assigned to the type, i.e. characterise the type, with associated information on their frequency of occurrence, their individual contribution to the similarity within the core data set of records, and the typical abundance at which they occur. Community - an association of species which has particular species, at certain densities, in common.

3) Biotope coding system:

Codes are defined for each level in the classification. Within a level, they comprise one or several elements. They are based on the following rules: 1. Broad habitat and main habitat codes are based on habitat factors or gross biological features (e.g. macrophytes and biogenic reefs). 2. Biotope complex, biotope and sub-biotope codes are based wherever possible upon the most characteristic taxa (which preferably also dominate spatially/numerically) (preferably no more than two per biotope complex, biotope or sub-biotope). 3. Where the biological composition is too complex to derive a simple code, features of the habitat are used (e.g. VS for variable salinity). 4. Codes for habitat factors, higher taxa and descriptive community features (e.g. park, crustose) are derived from a standard lexicon (species abbreviation). A full list of codes used is contained in the hierarchical list which can be downloaded from the classification website. 5. Codes for names of genera are derived using the first three letters of a genus or higher taxon name (e.g. Ala for Alaria, Chr for Chrysophyceae). Codes for species names are derived using the first letter of the genus and the first three letters of the specific name (e.g. Ldig for Laminaria digitata). 6. Within the code each new element of the code starts with a capital letter. 7. As far as practical the code elements are unique, but some duplication is adopted in the interests of keeping codes short. The code for any given type (i.e. for the level defined, regardless of whether it is stringed with higher codes – see below) is always unique. 8. All the biotope/sub-biotope codes are unique, so users familiar with the classification can refer to individual biotopes using only the codes for these levels in the hierarchy.

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9. The full codes are compiled using the code for each level in the hierarchy, separated from the next level by a full stop, starting with the broad habitat (level 2), followed by the main habitat, biotope complex and so on. For example LS.LSA.MoSa.AmSco.Eur: 2 broad habitat littoral sediment LS 3 main habitat littoral sand LSA 4 biotope complex mobile sand MoSa 5 Biotope Amphipods and Scolelepis spp. AmSco 6 Sub-biotope Eurydice sub-biotope Eur

APPENDIX 2: INTERTIDAL SURVEY MAPS

Figure A2.1. Location and distribution of the classified marine intertidal habitats recorded within the Casquets survey area, 2014.

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Figure A2.2. Location and distribution of the classified marine intertidal habitats recorded within the Casquets survey area, 2014.

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Table A2.1. Legend information of the marine habitat map of Casquets survey area, 2014.

APPENDIX 3: INTERTIDAL BIOTOPE DESCRIPTION, OCCURRENCE, SIZE AND SIGNIFICANCE

Table A3.1. Habitat code description, occurrence, size and significance for all biotopes recorded in the survey area 2014.

Habitat Type Habitat Code Description Freq Total area (m

2)

(%) Ecological Significance

High energy littoral rock (and other substrata)

LR.HLR.MusB.Cht Chthamalus spp. on exposed eulittoral rock 31 11780.95 34.4 Low

LR.HLR.MusB.Sem Semibalanus balanoides on exposed to moderately exposed or vertical sheltered eulittoral rock 1 184.33 0.54

Low

LR.HLR.MusB.Sem.FvesR S. balanoides, P. vulgata, Littorina spp. on exposed/moderately exposed/vertical sheltered eulittoral rock 2 240.43 0.7

Low

LR.HLR.FR.Him H. elongata and red seaweeds on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock 3 300.71 0.88

Low

LR.HLR.FR.Coff C. officinalis and M. stellatus on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock 6 240.43 0.7

Moderate

LR.HLR.FR.Mas M. stellatus and C. crispus on very exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock 8 1218.61 3.55

Low

LR.HLR.FT.FserTX Fucus serratus with sponges, ascidians and red seaweeds on tide-swept lower eulittoral mixed substrata 1 36.1 0.1

Moderate

Moderate energy

littoral rock (and other substrata)

LR.MLR.BF.FvesB F. vesiculosus and barnacle mosaics on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock

5 1201.61 3.5

Low

Features of littoral rock

LR.FLR.Lic.YG Yellow and grey lichens on supralittoral rock 15 13532.99 39.5 Low

LR.FLR.Lic.Ver V. maura on littoral fringe rock 21 4049.11 11.81 Low

LR.FLR.Rkp.G Green seaweeds (Enteromorpha spp. and Cladophora spp.) in shallow upper shore rock-pools 10 188.78 0.56

Low

LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor Coralline crust-dominated shallow eulittoral rockpools 1 5.51 0.02 Low

Ephemeral green or red

communities

LR.FLR.Eph.Ent Enteromorpha spp. on freshwater-influenced and/or unstable upper eulittoral rock 8 338.14 0.99

Low

LR.FLR.Eph.EntPor P. purpurea and Enteromorpha spp. On sand-scoured mid or 16 873.37 2.55 Low

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lower eulittoral rock

High energy infralittoral rock

(and other substrata)

IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala Alaria esculenta on exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock

1 65.5 0.2

Low

Moderate energy infralittoral rock

IR.MIR.KR.Ldig Laminaria digitata on moderately exposed sublittoral fringe rock N/A N/A N/A

Moderate

APPENDIX 4: INTERTIDAL SPECIES ASSESSMENT (taken from Davies et al., 2001).

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APPENDIX 5: MNCR SACFOR INFORMATION (taken from Connor and Hiscock, 1996).

Use of the MNCR SACFOR abundance scales: The MNCR cover/density scales adopted from 1990 provide a unified system for recording the abundance of marine benthic flora and fauna in biological surveys. The following notes should be read before their use: 1. Whenever an attached species covers the substratum and percentage cover can be estimated, that scale should be used in preference to the density scale. 2. Use the massive/turf percentage cover scale for all species, excepting those given under crust/meadow. 3. Where two or more layers exist, for instance foliose algae overgrowing crustose algae, total percentage cover can be over 100% and abundance grade will reflect this. 4. Percentage cover of littoral species, particularly the fucoid algae, must be estimated when the tide is out. 5. Use quadrats as reference frames for counting, particularly when density is borderline between two of the scale. 6. Some extrapolation of the scales may be necessary to estimate abundance for restricted habitats such as rockpools. 7. The species (as listed above) take precedence over their actual size in deciding which scale to use. 8. When species (such as those associated with algae, hydroid and bryozoan turf or on rocks and shells) are incidentally collected (i.e. collected with other species that were superficially collected for identification) and no meaningful abundance can be assigned to them, they should be noted as present (P).

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APPENDIX 6: MACROALGAE AND FAUNAL SPECIES RECORDED WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEYS, 2014.

Table A6.1. Macroalgae species and ecological status identified during all the marine surveys, within the

Casquets survey area 2014. Ecological status taken from the Marine Life Network, MARLIN (Marine Biological Association) online species database for the British Isles. Status is determined by the distribution and abundance

of each species throughout the British Isles. * denotes macroalgae species grouped at the coarser taxonomic levels recorded during the survey. This was due to the difficulty of identifying these species to the species

taxonomic level during both the field and photo analyses.

Marine Algae

Taxonomic Division Species Latin Name Ecological Status

General recording

Quadrat survey

Snorkel survey

Ascomycota Caloplaca marina Widespread X

Lichina pygmaea Widespread X

Ramalina siliquosa Widespread X

Verrucaria maura Common X

Chlorophyta Blidingia minima Widespread X

Prasiola stipitata Widespread X

Ulva intestinalis Common X X

Ulva linza Widespread X

Ochrophyta Alaria esculenta Common X

Bifurcaria bifurcata South-west of British Isles X

Fucus vesiculosus Widespread X X

Himanthalia elongata Common X X

Laminaria species* Widespread X

Saccharina spp* Widespread X

Rhodophyta Asparagopsis armata Frequent X

Dilsea carnosa Widespread X

Drachiella spectabilis Frequent X

Corallina officinalis Widespread X

Lithothamnia species* Widespread X X

Mastocarpus stellatus Common X

Porphyra umbilicalis Common X

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Table A6.2. Intertidal faunal species and ecological status identified during the marine surveys, 2014. Ecological status taken from the Marine Life Network, MARLIN (Marine Biological Association) online species database for the British Isles. Status is determined by the distribution and abundance of each species throughout the British

Isles. + denotes percentage cover species which are assessed using the SACFOR method.

Faunal Taxonomic Group Marine Species

Ecological Status General

recording Quadrat survey

Snorkel survey

Anthozoa Actinia equina Common X

Arthropoda Chthamalus stellatus+ Common X

Maja spp

(brachydactyla/squinado) Frequent X

Gastropoda Littorina littorea

Common in British Isles,

although rare in Channel

Islands

X

Littorina saxatilis Common X

Nucella lapillus Commmon X

Patella vulgata Widespread X

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APPENDIX 7: SACFOR ABUNDANCE SCALES FOR BARNACLE AND SPONGE SPECIES WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA, 2014.

Table A7.1. SACFOR abundance/ density scale for intertidal barnacle and sponge species for each quadrat station

within the survey area.

Quadrat No (Q): Species SACFOR Scale

Q 1

Q 2

Q 3

Q 4

Q 5

Q 6

Chthamalus stellatus Super-abundant

Q 7

Q 8

Q 9

Chthamalus stellatus Super-abundant

Q 10

Q 11

Chthamalus stellatus Rare

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APPENDIX 8: MARINE MAMMAL SPECIES INFORMATION WITHIN THE CASQUETS SURVEY AREA.

Table A8.1. Marine mammal species information recorded within the Casquets survey area, 2014.

Recorder(s)

Boat/Land Species Number Behaviour Confidence

R. Gauvain, M. Broadhurst.

Land – landing point at Casquets

Grey seal, Halichoerus grypus.

1 One adult female, stationary in the water looking at surveyors, near to the landing point at Casquets.

High

R. Gauvain, M. Broadhurst.

Boat - tender Grey seal, Halichoerus grypus.

3 Three adults (sex unknown) swimming towards tender on outer, west rocks

High

R. Gauvain, M. Broadhurst.

Boat - tender Grey seal, Halichoerus grypus.

1 One female pup (1 year approx) sat on north west part of Casquets (flat bedrock section), then jumped into water

High

R. Gauvain, V. Warwick-Evans,

Boat - Sula Grey seal, Halichoerus grypus.

4 Four adults in water - spotted after dropping surveyors onto Casquets

High