Skip to main content

Fylde MCZ Baseline Survey 2015 (RP04112)

This is a baseline sediment grab survey of the Fylde MCZ, undertaking grab samples across the MCZ and to the north and west in order to improve the evidence in the site.

Project details

Start date2014-09-01
End date2015-03-30

Closing statement

This project undertook a subtidal baseline survey of the Fylde Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and provided the first comprehensive macrofauna dataset for the site. The key findings of the baseline survey were: 52 faunal samples were collected inside of the MCZ; Subtidal Mud was found to be predominant in the northern quarter of the site, and extended outside of the site boundary to the west, whereas Subtidal Sand was predominant in the southern half of the site. Subtidal 7,239 individuals across 172 taxa were recorded in the grab survey, including the nationally rare hydroid Obelia bidentata inside the site boundary. mud sediments in the north of the survey area were significantly more diverse than the subtidal sand sediments in the south. Infaunal quality index (IQI) classifications showed that both the Subtidal sand and Subtidal mud broadscale habitats inside the MCZ were assessed at good ecological status, which could be considered equivalent to favourable condition. The results of the study will be used to detect macrofauna community change over time and support future monitoring.

Downloads available for this record

File Uploaded
Fylde Marine Conservation Zones Baseline Survey Report 2015, PDF, 10.0 MB 2017/03/08

Location

This record relates to the location identified by the marker on the map: