EUSeaMap is EMODnet's flagship broad-scale seabed habitat map, delivering harmonised habitat information across European seas, as well as parts of the Caribbean Sea and the Caspian Sea. Designed to support marine environmental assessments, maritime spatial planning, and ecosystem‑based management, EUSeaMap offers a consistent and policy‑relevant view of benthic habitats at a continental scale.
EUSeaMap is a predictive modelled product. Rather than relying entirely on observed habitats data, it integrates physical seabed characteristics and environmental variables to indicate the likely spatial distribution of benthic habitats. This approach enables full spatial coverage, including areas where direct observations are unavailable—a key requirement for large‑scale marine management initiatives.
Figure 1: EUSeaMap 2025 with seabed habitats classified in the EUNIS (2019) classification system.
Modelling Framework and Habitat Descriptors
The EUSeaMap modelling framework is built around a set of habitat descriptors that characterise the physical and environmental conditions of the seabed. The two core descriptors are seabed substrate and biological zones.
1. Seabed Substrates
Seabed substrate describes the physical nature of the seabed and is a fundamental determinant of benthic habitat type. This information is primarily sourced from EMODnet Geology and includes categories such as: Rock, Coarse sediment, Mixed sediment, Sand, Mud, and Biogenic substrate. These substrate classes provide the structural context in which biological communities establish, directly influencing species composition and ecological function.
2. Biological Zones
Biological zones are derived from seabed depth, provided by EMODnet Bathymetry, together with environmental variables such as light availability, wave exposure and halocline, depending on the marine region. Together, these factors delineate zones such as infralittoral, circalittoral and deeper benthic environments, each supporting distinct biological assemblages.
Additional Environmental Descriptors
Additional habitat descriptors, including hydrodynamic energy, salinity and oxygen regimes, are incorporated where ecologically relevant to distinguish habitat types and improve the representation of regional environmental conditions.
Figure 2: Habitat descriptors, such as substrate, energy and biological zone, describe the physical and environmental condition of the seabed. These habitat descriptors are combined to predict the seabed habitat
GIS‑Based Multicriteria Modelling Approach
EUSeaMap employs a GIS‑based multicriteria evaluation methodology. This process involves transforming continuous environmental datasets into discrete habitat descriptor classes using ecologically meaningful thresholds. These thresholds are derived through a combination of empirical observation data, statistical modelling and expert scientific knowledge.
Once classified, the habitat descriptor layers are integrated through a rule‑based system. This classification logic systematically combines substrate, depth, and environmental conditions to generate predictions of habitat types across the seabed.
The result is a seamless, full‑coverage habitat map spanning European waters and beyond. The outputs are accompanied by a confidence assessment, enabling users to evaluate the reliability of predictions based on data density, methodologies and modelling constraints.
EUSeaMap supports interoperability by delivering results in multiple classification frameworks, including:
- EUNIS (European Nature Information System) habitat classification
- Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Benthic Broad Habitat Types
Advances in EUSeaMap 2025
A major enhancement in EUSeaMap 2025 is the integration of updated seabed substrate information. Given that substrate is one of the primary drivers of habitat classification, improvements in the underlying substrate layer directly translate into more ecologically credible habitat predictions.
Key updates include:
- Incorporation of the latest seabed substrate datasets from EMODnet Geology
- Improved representation of biogenic substrates
- Continued application of a multi‑scale mapping strategy that integrates datasets of varying spatial resolution
The modelling framework prioritises the highest‑quality data available for each geographic location, ensuring that local detail is preserved while maintaining continental‑scale consistency. As a result, the updated substrate layer significantly enhances both the spatial resolution and thematic accuracy of the habitat map.
Figure 3: Example of improved spatial coverage and detail in the new version of EUSeaMap.
Policy Relevance and Applications
Beyond its technical evolution, EUSeaMap 2025 strengthens its role as a critical evidence base for European marine policy. Its harmonised and standardised outputs directly support:
- Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD): providing baseline habitat information for environmental status assessments
- Marine Protected Area (MPA) planning: enabling identification of ecologically significant areas
- Nature restoration initiatives: supporting spatial prioritisation and monitoring of habitat recovery
- Maritime spatial planning (MSP): informing sustainable allocation of marine space across sectors
By integrating the most up‑to‑date seabed and environmental data, EUSeaMap 2025 delivers a robust, scientifically grounded representation of seabed habitats. This ensures that decision‑makers have access to consistent, high‑quality information to guide sustainable management of Europe’s marine environment.
Conclusion
EUSeaMap exemplifies the power of predictive modelling in addressing the challenges of large‑scale marine mapping. Through its integration of diverse environmental datasets, advanced GIS methodologies, and continuous data updates, it provides a comprehensive and harmonised view of seabed habitats across European and adjacent waters.
The 2025 update marks a significant step forward, particularly through the enhancement of seabed substrate information—further strengthening the ecological validity and policy relevance of the product. As marine governance increasingly requires integrated, cross‑border data, EUSeaMap remains a cornerstone resource for advancing ecosystem‑based management across Europe’s seas.
How to access EUSeaMap
EUSeaMap 2025 is freely available through the EMODnet Map Viewer and data portal.
- Open the EMODnet Map Viewer and locate the EUSeaMap 2025 dataset in the data catalogue within “EMODnet Seabed Habitats” -> “EMODnet broad-scale seabed habitat map for Europe (EUSeaMap)”.
- Visualise the habitat map by selecting the desired habitat classification (e.g. EUNIS 2019) and zooming to your area of interest.
- To download the dataset, open the information tab in the layer catalogue and select Download. The download will start automatically.
- Alternatively, access EUSeaMap 2025 through EMODnet web services and integrate the data directly into your GIS applications.