Confidence in the classification of biological zones in the EUSeaMap (2023) broad-scale predictive habitat map for the Caspian Sea. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). Biological Zone is one of the layers of information used to categorise physical habitat types in EUSeaMap; these layers of information are collectively known as 'habitat descriptors'. Confidence in the classification of a Biological Zone at any location is driven by both the confidence in the values of the input variables, and the confidence in the classification based on proximity to, and uncertainty in, the boundary between classes (i.e. areas closer to a boundary between two classes will have lower confidence). Layers are also available showing confidence in the values of the input variables used to model Biological Zones. Detailed information on the modelling process is found in the EMODnet Seabed Habitats technical reports and its appendices (links in Resources). Created by the EMODnet Seabed Habitats project consortium.

EUNIS 2007-11 habitat map created from data collected on the CEND2213 2013/11/04 survey to North Norfolk Sandbank and Saturn Reef. Sublittoral sediments defined using acoustic and groundtruth data. Survey Techniques: 40 transects. Sidescan sonar and multibeam echosounder, dropcam video tows and still photography. Infaunal sample and particle size analysis (PSA) carried out on 0.1m2 Hamon grab samples. The habitat map was produced using EUNIS classes obtained from PSA data and interpretations from still images, to inform the semi-automated object-based imagery analysis (OBIA). The OBIA divides the bathymetry and backscatter data into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial characteristics, which can then be classified using the ground-truthed data.

This dataset can be described as a collection of predictive habitat maps covering several different Scottish SAC's and MPA's, classified to EUNIS and extracted from the GeMS database (v24_1).

Confidence in the classification of biological zones in the EUSeaMap (2021) broad-scale predictive habitat map. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). Biological Zone is one of the layers of information used to categorise physical habitat types in EUSeaMap; these layers of information are collectively known as 'habitat descriptors'. Confidence in the classification of a Biological Zone at any location is driven by both the confidence in the values of the input variables, and the confidence in the classification based on proximity to, and uncertainty in, the boundary between classes (i.e. areas closer to a boundary between two classes will have lower confidence). Layers are also available showing confidence in the values of the input variables used to model Biological Zones. Detailed information on the modelling process is found in the EMODnet Seabed Habitats technical reports and its appendices (links in Resources). Created by the EMODnet Seabed Habitats project consortium.

The survey area was split into two, each was surveyed using acoustic and ground-truthing methods. Acoustic multibeam and sidescan sonar data were acquired along parallel corridors within each sampling area. Near 100% sidescan data coverage was obtained; multibeam data coverage obtained was significantly less. The location of the majority of ground-truthing stations was based on a 1 km triangular grid across the entire survey area; additional sampling stations were targeted opportunistically between the gridded stations. The habitat map was produced using EUNIS classes obtained from PSA data and interpretations from still images, to inform the semi-automated object-based imagery analysis (OBIA). The OBIA divides the bathymetry and backscatter data into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial characteristics, which can then be classified using the ground-truthed data.