The dataset provides full-coverage maps of the habitats and biotopes in the German Baltic Sea at a resolution of 1 x 1 km for the entire region and at 50 x 50 m resolution in specific areas. We combined geological and biological surveys to map the seabed and collected extensive data to classify different habitats and their associated benthic communities. Using newly established national guidelines and predictive habitat modelling, we produced highly accurate maps. The maps show Broad and Other Habitat Types (including Habitats Directive Annex I habitat types) according to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as well as HELCOM HUB biotope types. Detailed documentation is available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13010006

Geological features of seabed habitats extracted from an extant layer of the official cartography of the MPA

This layer shows the zonation of Tavolara MPA

Diving spots within Tavolara MPA

Coralligenous and Rhodolith beds found in Oceana expeditons between 2006 and 2020

The Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS) was commissioned by Forewind Ltd to carry out a Phase 1 biotope survey of the intertidal zone located between the towns of Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea, Tees estuary, Teesside. This area has been identified as a preferred landfall location for export cables, with the ultimate aim of connecting offshore wind farms off the Teesside coastline to the National Grid. The intertidal survey was completed as part of the development of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required from Forewind Ltd to continue with the proposal to use this area as a landfall site.

Envision have undertaken a biological interpretation of the geophysical data from Tranche A and Creyke Beck Export Cable Route. The strategy for this interpretation was to integrate sample records and the geophysical remotely sensed images to produce distribution maps. This follows the strategy that has been established within the EU through the MESH program. The primary purpose of analysis was to derive a limited range of habitat classes suitable for ground truthing the acoustic data, which were adopted as the mapping units. The requirements for successful ground truthing are not exactly the same as describing diversity. There has been more emphasis on commonality and potential for overlap between the mapping units. The analyses identified a small number of robust classes from the infauna defined by their predominant species and those that contributed most to the classes distinctiveness. Information on epifauna and gravel/cobble were incorporated to derive a single ground truth dataset Suitable ground truth data assigned to habitat classes is vital for integrated analysis and this necessitated Envision undertaking the analysis of the sample records to derive a locally relevant list of habitat classes. The analyses identified a small number of robust classes from the infauna defined by their predominant species and those that contributed most to the classes distinctiveness. Information on epifauna and gravel/cobble were incorporated to derive a single ground truth dataset The faunal composition of these groups were then matched to the Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland (v04.05) and a suite of possible biotopes assigned to the ground truth data. The geophysical data required processing and transformation to render the images suitable for integrated analysis. The analyses have been reported and the full list of habitat classes described. The interpretation of the geophysical data through integrated analysis with the ground truth data has been reported and the habitat class distribution map has been presented. Surficial sediments were identified from the still images and classified. These data have been used to ground truth the geophysical images and a map has been generated. The distribution of the habitats is discussed. The biota is typical of moderately exposed (moderately disturbed) gravelly sandy sediments in the North Sea. Although all the habitats can be considered components of Annex 1 Subtidal Sandbanks, there are no biotopes of particular sensitivity and, although Sabellaria spinulosa was found, the densities of individuals in samples was never very high and it is unlikely that any sample sites could be classified as biogenic reef.

A geotechnical survey campaign was undertaken within the vicinity of the Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm. This was supported by a preliminary review of acoustic data and assessment for the presence of Annex I reefs to minimise the risk of potential damage to protected features. Following the review of existing data, a drop down video survey protocol was developed (EMU, 2011) and approved by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). Part of this protocol identified that a number of proposed geotechnical sampling sites were likely to be in the vicinity of potential Annex I reefs and therefore warranted field ground-truthing by means of drop down video to verify the presence and status of these features. The video ground-truthing survey has now been completed. Drawing upon the findings of this survey, the 2012 EMU report present within this series provides an update of the assessment of the potential Annex I reefs present at the proposed geotechnical sample locations and fulfils condition 3.1.1 of the Marine Licence (Licence L/2011/001075). The aim of the 2013 Fugro EMU document also present within this series was to satisfy Marine Licence condition 31.22 and to address the responses from the MMO regarding the Annex I reef features (letter ref: REN024, dated 12th April 2013, and 21st June 2013). The objectives were to assess the impacts (direct and indirect) of the construction activities on the potential Annex I features. The objectives of this report were to: 1. Assess the direct impact (loss of habitat) of each of the construction activities; 2. Assess the associated indirect impacts (increase in sediment smothering, and suspended sediment concentrations. 3. Assess the cumulative impacts of all construction activities.

Lewis Wave Power Ltd. (LWP) (a wholly owned subsidiary of Aquamarine Power Ltd.) was seeking to develop a wave energy demonstration array off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. As a first stage of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project, LWP commissioned Royal Haskoning Ltd. to produce an Environmental Scoping Report (Lewis Wave Power Ltd., 2011) to facilitate the identification and assessment of the potential environmental impacts associated with the project. The survey reported on here formed this field-based benthic component. Its purpose was to provide site-specific benthic data to inform an assessment of impact of the proposed development. The key objectives were to: Determine the distribution and abundance of marine habitats and communities within the study areas; Determine the substrate type at all locations sampled and Identify habitats or species of conservation importance.

This record is for Approval for Access product AfA128. Information regarding the presence, and percentage cover, of seagrass species at specific marine monitoring points held within the Environment Agency’s BIOSYS database (our main database for storing, manipulating and reporting data from freshwater and marine biological surveys at any taxonomic level). These data represent ground-truthing monitoring for the ecological assessment of seagrasses within transitional and coastal waters of England and Wales. Seagrass data on BIOSYS are updated as new monitoring data are made available. Monitoring for seagrass occurs June to September with records being updated after the sampling season. The extracted data is a subset of the full dataset and only includes data collected/owned by the Environment Agency. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. All rights reserved.