Publication Abstract
- Title
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The MALSF synthesis study in the central and eastern English Channel
- Publication Abstract
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The MALSF synthesis study in the central and eastern English Channel
J.W.C James, B. Pearce, R.A. Coggan*, M. Leivers, R.W.E. Clark, J.F. Plim, J.M. Hill, S.H.L. Arnott, L. Bateson, A. De-Burgh Thomas and P.A. Baggaley
This report presents a synthesis and summary of the results and outputs of these previous studies aimed at a wider public audience in an accessible and relatively simple format, complementing the published scientific reports and datasets that have been produced. The synthesis study has been led by the British Geological Survey with Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd, Cefas, Wessex Archaeology and Sussex Sea Fisheries District Committee as partners in the study.
This synthesis report has as its core two regional environmental characterisation (REC) studies, the Eastern English Channel Marine Habitat Map (EECMHM) (James et al, 2007) and the South Coast REC (James et al, 2010). Although these REC studies overlap (Figure 2), when looked at in the context of UK waters in the central and eastern English Channel, there were two significant gaps in coverage. The first is in the northeast of the study area along the nearshore strip from around Beachy Head to Dungeness, and the second in the southwest up to the median line with French waters. However the latter has recently been the subject of a survey and report by Defra funded project ME1102 (Coggan et al., 2009). These gaps have been incorporated in the synthesis study to provide complete coverage and interpretations in this part of UK waters from Poole Bay in the west to Dungeness in the east. The total area covered by the synthesis study is 12 755 km2 The principal objectives for the EECMHM and South Coast RECs and this synthesis study include geological interpretations to characterise the rock and sediments, ecological interpretations of the marine biology, and integrating the geology and biology to provide maps of sea bed habitat.
Archaeological objectives include characterising and mapping wrecks and objects on the sea bed, and also characterising the potential of the area to contain submerged sites of prehistoric occupation (Arnott et al, 2010). The amalgamated data from these two REC studies plus further data in the two new areas has been re-assessed to provide a harmonised interpretation for the whole synthesis study area. The synthesis study has also enabled a new analysis of the biological and geological characteristics of the study area and the production of a new biotope interpretation and map, based on a modified EUNIS classification.The report has been broken down in to a number of themes and within these themes there are individual sections. The sections are designed to stand alone and can be read in isolation. There are six themes in total and they are distinguished graphically by different colour fills for their section headings. The six themes are:-Regional settingProvides a perspective for the synthesis study area within the whole English Channel in terms of sea bed morphology, geology, sediments, hydrodynamics and biology.Human uses and activitiesA wide range of activities take place within the study area. This includes long-standing commercial activity such as fishing, marine aggregates and disposals at sea, and newer commercial enterprises like proposed wind farm development. The recreational pastimes of angling and diving are also covered. Marine conservation is currently an important driver for marine research and current areas designated for conservation purposes both onshore and offshore are described.Surveys and samplingThis describes the survey programmes undertaken for the MALSF since 2005, the methods that were deployed and the locations of the sample and geophysical data that were acquired. There are also graphics illustrating how the survey equipment was used and some examples of the results.GeologyCovers the geological perspective, from ancient rocks of solid geology, through the glacial cycles of the Quaternary period, to the modern present day sediments on the sea bed. Includes sections on bedforms such as sand banks and sand wave fields and also describes the interesting occurrence of channel systems in the study area.Biology and habitatsIncludes both study area-wide results and interpretations along with insights into more focussed aspects such as interesting or significant species. Provides comprehensive coverage with the production of a new EUNIS based habitat model for the whole study area plus a comparison of this model with other models that have been produced in the English Channel. The distribution of some benthic or bottom living animals are described in terms of the communities they form on the sea bed. Possible habitat designations under European legislation are also covered.ArchaeologyBegins with analysis of how humans may have lived within the study area during the last 500 000 years by comparison with evidence available on land for human occupation. Followed by a maritime archaeology section including a history of shipping in the area, which stretches back to the Bronze Age, and charting all known wrecks and obstructions. Concludes with a look at the 20th century phenomenon of aircraft wrecks on the sea bed.http://www.cefas.defra.gov.uk/alsf/projects/natural-seabed-resources/09p92/final-report.aspx
- Publication Internet Address of the Data
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http://www.cefas.defra.gov.uk/alsf/projects/natural-seabed-resources/09p92/final-report.aspx
- Publication Authors
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J.W.C James, B. Pearce, R.A. Coggan*, M. Leivers, R.W.E. Clark, J.F. Plim, J.M. Hill, S.H.L. Arnott, L. Bateson, A. De-Burgh Thomas and P.A. Baggaley
- Publication Date
- March 2011
- Publication Reference
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British Geological Survey Open Report OR/11/01. 158pp. ISBN: 978-0-85272-676-1
- Publication DOI: https://doi.org/
