Citation: Little, C., Morritt, D. & Stirling, P. 1992 Changes in the shore fauna and flora of Lough Hyne. Irish Naturalists' Journal 24: 87-95
Number of Pages: 9
Volume Part: 3
Keywords: Biogeography, Checklist, Cork, Fauna, Flora, Littoral, Lough Hyne, Marine, Marine Inlet, Mollusca, Monitoring, Reserve, Sublittoral, Survey
Abstract: To provide a start of a monitoring programme of the littoral zone of Lough Hyne the authors re-surveyed some of the sites of a 1955 survey of the common plants and animals of the littoral zone. Methods of Ebling et al. (1960) were followed as closely as possible. Stations originally defined by position on a map were re-located and consisted of a 10 m strip of rocky shore. Abundance of organisms was estimated using either presence/absence on a 4 point abundance scale. The sublittoral zone was restricted to 0.5 m and no divers were used. In the sublittoral regions categories of abundance were defined for individual species. Surveys were carried out 11-22 Sept. 1990 and repeated 5-11 July 1991. Results are presented in the following categories: differences between Sept. 1990 and July 1991, flora in 1990-1991 compared with 1955, fauna in 1990-1991 compared with 1955. Non-parametric statistics were used to compare changes since 1955. Discussion of results is divided into: effects of season, changes in the mid and upper intertidal zones, changes in the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal zones and future monitoring.