Updated habitat map resulting from an intergrated analysis of the acoustic and ground-truth survey data from 2014 (onboard the RV Cefas Endeavour). Sediment types at each groundtruthing station were used to inform a semi-automated process of map production using object-based image analysis (OBIA). The majority of the seabed was classified as 'A5.4Subtidal mixed sediments', with patches of 'A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment'and 'A5.2Subtidal sand'.

Broadscale habitat (EUNIS level 3) for Hythe Bay (rMCZ) recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ) Updated habitat map resulting from an intergrated analysis of the acoustic and ground-truth survey data from 2012. The ground-truthing survey was carried out by the Environment Agency (EA) on the 26th March 2012 using the MV Sea Vigil. The site is predominantly characterised as A5.3 Subtidal mud.

Updated habitat map resulting from an intergrated analysis of the acoustic and ground truth survey data in 2014 (onboard the RV Cefas Endeavour). Broadscale habitats at each ground truth station were used to inform a semi-automated mapping process using object-based image analysis (OBIA). The majority of the seabed was classified as the BSH 'A4.1 High energy circalittoral rock/A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock', with a with a large sediment bank in the north of the rMCZ made up of the BSHs 'A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment' and 'A5.2 Subtidal sand'.

A broadscale habitat map was produced by analysising and interpreting the acoustic and ground truth data collected at South Rigg rMCZ. Acoustic data was used to identify areas of Rock and sediment and groundtruthing data was used to divide the sediment areas into one of the four sediment classes, namely coarse sediment, sand, mud and mixed sediment. These areas were then divided into littoral and subtidal zones and different energy areas (Low, Moderate or High). These classes could then be classified using EUNIS.

Broadscale habitat (EUNIS level 3) for Compass Rose recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ). Seabed texture polygons mapped using expert interpretation of acoustic data (MBES bathymetry and backscatter, and bathymetry compiled for Defra(Astrium, 2011)) and ground-truthing data from PSA analysis and image (stills and video) classification.

Updated habitat map resulting from an intergrated analysis of the acoustic and groundtruthsurvey data in 2014 (onboard the RV Cefas Endeavour). Sediment types at each groundtruthing station were used to inform a semi-automated process of map production using object-based image analysis (OBIA). The majority of the seabed was classified as 'A5.2 Subtidal sand', with patches of 'A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment' and 'A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments'.

Updated habitat map resulting from an integrated analysis of the 2013 dedicated survey data (collected on cruise CEND0613) for South-West Deeps (West) recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ). A new habitat map for the site was produced by analysing and interpreting the available acoustic data and the ground-truth data collected by the dedicated surveys of South West Deeps West rMCZ. The process is a combination of two approaches, auto-classification (image analysis) and expert interpretation. The routine for auto-classification is flexible and dependent on site-specific data, allowing for application of a bespoke routine to maximise the acoustic data available. ArcGIS was used to perform an initial unsupervised classification on the supplied backscatter image. The single band backscatter mosaic was filtered and smoothed prior to the application of an Iso cluster/maximum likelihood classification routine. For further information, refer to the South-West Deeps (West) rMCZ Post-survey Site Report.

A broadscale habitat feature class was created to illustrate the predicted extent of broadscale habitats present at Slieve na Griddle rMCZ. These broadscale habitats include 'Subtidal mud' and 'Low energy circalittoral rock' as determined from particle size analysis of sedimen grab samples and descriptive analysis of still images from underwater camera data. The assigned classes of each ground-truth station were used to inform the semi-automated process of map production using object-based image analysis (OBIA).

A geostatistical analysis of the data is reported leading to the selection of a linear model of corregionalization for the composition of the sediment, based on the additive log-ratio transformation of data on mud, sand and gravel content. This model is then used for spatial prediction on a 250-m grid. At each grid node a prediction distribution is obtained, conditional on neighbouring data and the selected model. By sampling from this distribution, and backtransforming onto the original compositional simplex of the data, we obtain a conditional expectation for the proportions of sand, gravel and mud at each location, a 95% confidence interval for the value at each node, and the probability that each of the four sediment texture classes that underlie the EUNIS habitat classification is found at the node.

Broadscale habitat (EUNIS level 3) for Land's End (Runnels Stone) recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ) Updated habitat map resulting from an intergrated analysis of the acoustic and ground-truth survey data from 2013 (onboard the Coastal Survey Vessel (CSV) Water Guardian on cruise wgdn0112). Sediment types at each groundtruthing station were used to inform a semi-automated process of map production using object-based image analysis (OBIA).