This layer shows the current known extent and distribution of live hard coral cover in European waters, collated by EMODnet Seabed Habitats. The point and polygon layers were last updated in 2023. Lophelia pertusa and Coral gardens are both on the OSPAR List of threatened and/or declining species and habitats. The purpose was to produce a data product that would provide the best compilation of evidence for the essential ocean variable (EOV) known as Hard coral cover and composition (sub-variable: Live hard coral cover and extent), as defined by the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). The geographic extent of this product was extended in 2023 to include jurisdictional waters (including continental shelf and claimed extended continental shelf) of EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK) and Norway including areas in the Caribbean Sea.

This layer shows the current known extent and distribution of Seagrass meadows in European waters, collated by EMODnet Seabed Habitats. The point and polygon layers were last updated in 2023.The purpose was to produce a data product that would provide the best compilation of evidence for the essential ocean variable (EOV) known as Seagrass cover and composition (sub-variable: Areal extent of seagrass meadows), as defined by the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Seagrasses provide essential habitat and nursery areas for many marine fauna. There are approximately 72 seagrass species that belong to four major groups: Zosteraceae, Hydrocharitaceae, Posidoniaceae and Cymodoceaceae. Zostera beds and Cymodecea meadows are named on the OSPAR Threatened or Declining Habitats list. Posidonia beds are protected under Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. The geographic extent of this product was extended in 2023 to include jurisdictional waters (including continental shelf and claimed extended continental shelf) of EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK) and Norway including areas in the Caribbean Sea.

This layer shows the current known extent and distribution of macroalgal canopy in European waters, collated by EMODnet Seabed Habitats. The points were added in Sept 2021, and both the points and polygons were updated in 2023. The purpose was to produce a data product that would provide the best compilation of evidence for the essential ocean variable (EOV) known as Macroalgal canopy cover and composition (sub-variable: Areal extent), as defined by the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Kelp and fucoid brown algae are the dominant species that comprise macroalgal forests. This data product should be considered a work in progress and is not an official product.

Model describes the potential distribution range of Fucus spp in the Finnish coast. Model was produced using extensive data (~140,000 samples) on the Finnish Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine Environment (VELMU). Model was built using Boosted regression trees (BRT), and resulting models describe the probability of detecting a habitat-forming species in a cell. Environmental predictors include for instance (and are not only restricted to): bathymetry, euphotic depth, salinity, substrate, and wave exposure. As more accurate information is gained by diving than from video methods, dive data was used as the primary source for modelling with 75ÔÇô90% for model training and 10ÔÇô25% for validation. The secondary source, video data, was used only for species clearly identifiable from videos with additional subsets (25%) from targeted inventories. Dive and video data are limited to rather shallow depths (typically 20ÔÇô30 m), leading to a situation where there are not enough samples from deep areas (below 50 m). To avoid artefacts in the models, a randomized absence dataset for areas deeper than 50 m was used during the modelling process. These points were used only as absences in macrophytes models, based on the knowledge that macrophytes do not live at such depths in the Baltic Sea due to habitat constraints and lack of light.

Model describes the potential distribution range of Mytilus trossulus x edulisin the Finnish coast. Model was produced using extensive data (~140,000 samples) on the Finnish Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine Environment (VELMU). Model was built using Boosted regression trees (BRT), and resulting models describe the probability of detecting a habitat-forming species in a cell. Environmental predictors include for instance (and are not only restricted to): bathymetry, euphotic depth, salinity, substrate, and wave exposure. As more accurate information is gained by diving than from video methods, dive data was used as the primary source for modelling with 75ÔÇô90% for model training and 10ÔÇô25% for validation. The secondary source, video data, was used only for species clearly identifiable from videos with additional subsets (25%) from targeted inventories. Dive and video data are limited to rather shallow depths (typically 20ÔÇô30 m), leading to a situation where there are not enough samples from deep areas (below 50 m). To avoid artefacts in the models, a randomized absence dataset for areas deeper than 50 m was used during the modelling process. These points were used only as absences in macrophytes models, based on the knowledge that macrophytes do not live at such depths in the Baltic Sea due to habitat constraints and lack of light.

Model describes the potential distribution range of Potamogeton perfoliatus in the Finnish coast. Model was produced using extensive data (~140,000 samples) on the Finnish Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine Environment (VELMU). Model was built using Boosted regression trees (BRT), and resulting models describe the probability of detecting a habitat-forming species in a cell. Environmental predictors include for instance (and are not only restricted to): bathymetry, euphotic depth, salinity, substrate, and wave exposure. As more accurate information is gained by diving than from video methods, dive data was used as the primary source for modelling with 75ÔÇô90% for model training and 10ÔÇô25% for validation. The secondary source, video data, was used only for species clearly identifiable from videos with additional subsets (25%) from targeted inventories. Dive and video data are limited to rather shallow depths (typically 20ÔÇô30 m), leading to a situation where there are not enough samples from deep areas (below 50 m). To avoid artefacts in the models, a randomized absence dataset for areas deeper than 50 m was used during the modelling process. These points were used only as absences in macrophytes models, based on the knowledge that macrophytes do not live at such depths in the Baltic Sea due to habitat constraints and lack of light.

Model describes the potential distribution range of Zostera marina in the Finnish coast. Model was produced using extensive data (~140,000 samples) on the Finnish Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine Environment (VELMU). Model was built using Boosted regression trees (BRT), and resulting models describe the probability of detecting a habitat-forming species in a cell. Environmental predictors include for instance (and are not only restricted to): bathymetry, euphotic depth, salinity, substrate, and wave exposure. As more accurate information is gained by diving than from video methods, dive data was used as the primary source for modelling with 75ÔÇô90% for model training and 10ÔÇô25% for validation. The secondary source, video data, was used only for species clearly identifiable from videos with additional subsets (25%) from targeted inventories. Dive and video data are limited to rather shallow depths (typically 20ÔÇô30 m), leading to a situation where there are not enough samples from deep areas (below 50 m). To avoid artefacts in the models, a randomized absence dataset for areas deeper than 50 m was used during the modelling process. These points were used only as absences in macrophytes models, based on the knowledge that macrophytes do not live at such depths in the Baltic Sea due to habitat constraints and lack of light.

Mapping and classifying the seabed of the West Greenland continental shelf. Marine benthic habitats support a diversity of marine organisms that are both economically and intrinsically valuable. Our knowledge of the distribution of these habitats is largely incomplete, particularly in deeper water and at higher latitudes. The western continental shelf of Greenland is one example of a deep (more than 500 m) Arctic region with limited information available. This study uses an adaptation of the EUNIS seabed classification scheme to document benthic habitats in the region of the West Greenland shrimp trawl fishery from 60┬░N to 72┬░N in depths of 61ÔÇô725 m. More than 2000 images collected at 224 stations between 2011 and 2015 were grouped into 7 habitat classes. A classification model was developed using environmental proxies to make habitat predictions for the entire western shelf (200ÔÇô700 m below 72┬░N). The spatial distribution of habitats correlates with temperature and latitude. Muddy sediments appear in northern and colder areas whereas sandy and rocky areas dominate in the south. Southern regions are also warmer and have stronger currents. The Mud habitat is the most widespread, covering around a third of the study area. There is a general pattern that deep channels and basins are dominated by muddy sediments, many of which are fed by glacial sedimentation and outlets from fjords, while shallow banks and shelf have a mix of more complex habitats. This first habitat classification map of the West Greenland shelf will be a useful tool for researchers, management and conservationists.

Mapping and classifying the seabed of the West Greenland continental shelf. Marine benthic habitats support a diversity of marine organisms that are both economically and intrinsically valuable. Our knowledge of the distribution of these habitats is largely incomplete, particularly in deeper water and at higher latitudes. The western continental shelf of Greenland is one example of a deep (more than 500 m) Arctic region with limited information available. This study uses an adaptation of the EUNIS seabed classification scheme to document benthic habitats in the region of the West Greenland shrimp trawl fishery from 60┬░N to 72┬░N in depths of 61ÔÇô725 m. More than 2000 images collected at 224 stations between 2011 and 2015 were grouped into 7 habitat classes. A classification model was developed using environmental proxies to make habitat predictions for the entire western shelf (200ÔÇô700 m below 72┬░N). The spatial distribution of habitats correlates with temperature and latitude. Muddy sediments appear in northern and colder areas whereas sandy and rocky areas dominate in the south. Southern regions are also warmer and have stronger currents. The Mud habitat is the most widespread, covering around a third of the study area. There is a general pattern that deep channels and basins are dominated by muddy sediments, many of which are fed by glacial sedimentation and outlets from fjords, while shallow banks and shelf have a mix of more complex habitats. This first habitat classification map of the West Greenland shelf will be a useful tool for researchers, management and conservationists.

Mapping and classifying the seabed of the West Greenland continental shelf. Marine benthic habitats support a diversity of marine organisms that are both economically and intrinsically valuable. Our knowledge of the distribution of these habitats is largely incomplete, particularly in deeper water and at higher latitudes. The western continental shelf of Greenland is one example of a deep (more than 500 m) Arctic region with limited information available. This study uses an adaptation of the EUNIS seabed classification scheme to document benthic habitats in the region of the West Greenland shrimp trawl fishery from 60┬░N to 72┬░N in depths of 61ÔÇô725 m. More than 2000 images collected at 224 stations between 2011 and 2015 were grouped into 7 habitat classes. A classification model was developed using environmental proxies to make habitat predictions for the entire western shelf (200ÔÇô700 m below 72┬░N). The spatial distribution of habitats correlates with temperature and latitude. Muddy sediments appear in northern and colder areas whereas sandy and rocky areas dominate in the south. Southern regions are also warmer and have stronger currents. The Mud habitat is the most widespread, covering around a third of the study area. There is a general pattern that deep channels and basins are dominated by muddy sediments, many of which are fed by glacial sedimentation and outlets from fjords, while shallow banks and shelf have a mix of more complex habitats. This first habitat classification map of the West Greenland shelf will be a useful tool for researchers, management and conservationists.