Benthic habitat mapping in a Portuguese Marine Protected Area using EUNIS: An integrated approach

Seafloor monitoring west of Helgoland (German Bight, North Sea) using the acoustic ground discrimination system RoxAnn

“…Whether or not it is helpful to classify and generalize hydroacoustic data has been discussed from many points of view (e.g., Hamilton 2005;Penrose et al 2005;McCauley and Siwabessy 2006;ICES 2007;Greenstreet et al 2010;Henriques et al 2015). However, most of the discussion is on the approaches, rather than on the classification itself (Snellen et al 2011).…”

“…However, most of the discussion is on the approaches, rather than on the classification itself (Snellen et al 2011). For subsequent classification of RoxAnn data, numerous studies have presented interpolated E1 and E2 maps (e.g., Mielck et al 2012Mielck et al , 2014Henriques et al 2015) and/or transect maps showing the E1 and E2 parameters separately and/or merged together (e.g., Hamilton et al 1999;Serpetti et al 2011). Studies reporting an interpolated map of the two RoxAnn parameters in an unclassified combination are rare.…”

“…Such marine habitat maps are an essential tool to comprehend the complexity, spatial diversity, and ecological status of the seafloor (e.g., Kenny et al 2003;Bartholomä 2006;ICES 2007;Cogan et al 2009;Brown et al 2011;Mielck et al 2014;Henriques et al 2015). In earlier times, the collection of samples, photographs and videos, combined with diver surveys followed by interpolation of point data over larger distances was the only feasible way to gain information on sedimentary features in terms of granulometry, bedforms and associated benthos (e.g., Figge 1981;cf.…”

“…They lack spatial coverage, however, which makes complex interpolation methods necessary (Foster-Smith et al 2004;Henriques et al 2015). In-depth analysis of echo characteristics such as statistical wave-form analysis or multipleecho integration methods are largely restricted to SBESs Responsible guest editor: C. Winter…”

Collaborative lessons towards marine sustainability: a long-term collective engagement

“…With the aid of a boundary scientist external to the process, they report on the content of group discussions and its consequences for MPA management (Stratoudakis et al, 2015b-d;Batista et al, 2015) and on the evolution of the collaborative process and its wider tangible and intangible outcomes (Innes and Booher, 1999;Vasconcelos et al, 2012). The overall reflection takes in consideration "systematic institutional design" (Healey, 1997), i.e., the introduction of new rules and roles, while identifying the building up of an effective community of practice -"groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do better as they interact regularly" (Lave and Wenger, 1991) as a benchmark of success.…”