2014 Benacre to Easton Bavents lagoons condition assessment

notPlanned

"IECS was commissioned by Natural England to undertake a condition monitoring study to establish the current species composition and associated biotopes of the Benacre Broad, Covehithe Broad and Easton Broad lagoons near the Suffolk coastline. The lagoons are located within the Benacre to Easton Bavents Lagoons SAC (Habitats Directive), the Benacre to Easton Bavents SPA (Birds Directive), the Benacre to Easton Bavents SSSI and the Benacre National Nature Reserve. 11 stations overall were sampled, 4 in the Benacre lagoon system with 2 in the main Broad (BB1 and BB3) and two in adjacent pools to the West (Bay of Biscay; BB2) and to the South (BB4). One additional station was located north of the nature reserve, in the Benacre Pit (BB5). 2 stations were taken from Covehithe Broad (CB1; CB2) and 2 stations located at Easton, in the main Broad (EB1 and EB2). Quantitative and semi-quanititative sampling was undertaken to characterise aquatic vegetation coverage and faunal assemblages in the sediment benthic invertebrate infauna), in the water column and at the water-sediment interface (nekton and large zooplankton), and in association with aquatic macroalgal vegetation (epifauna), although this was not possible at all stations due to the presence of dense reed vegetation coverage. 9 stations in total were sampled for benthic invertebrates, with core samples taken with a 0.01m2 corer to 10cm depth. 5 replicates per station were collected, with 3 from each station analysed as per NE request. All samples were seived on site (each replicate seived seperately) through at 0.5mm mesh, and sieve residue preservedin stained 10% formalin (4% formaldehyde) solution. 8 stations were sampled semi-quantitavely for conspicuouis nekton and larger zooplankton using a 0.25, wide push net (mesh size 250um) swept for 5m through the main body of the lagoon. 3 replicates were taken and therefore a total swept area of 3.75m2 at each sample station. There were 3 stations sampled for algal cover and associated epifauna. A 1m2 quadrat was used to assess the submerged vegetation coverage, whilst for associated epifauna, 3 replicate samples of 0.5l each of algae was gently washed on a 0.5mm sieve and residue preserved in 10% formalin (4& formaldehyde) solution."