Seabed Mapping and Marine Spatial Planning: A Case Study from a Swedish Marine Protected Area

Gonzalez-Mirelis, Genoveva; Lundälv, Tomas; Jonsson, Lisbeth; Bergström, Per; Sköld, Mattias; Lindegarth, Mats

doi:10.5772/36482

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…Habitat identification and mapping are fundamental in determining the locations for potential protected areas although both requirements are challenging, especially in the deep sea (Bryan and Metaxas, 2007;Howell, 2010;Howell et al, 2010;González-Mirelis et al, 2012;Bullimore et al, 2013;Davies et al, 2015;González-Irusta et al, 2015). Deep-sea ecosystems are usually characterised by their remoteness and challenging accessibility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Deep-sea benthic habitats modeling and mapping in a NE Atlantic seamount (Galicia Bank)

Serrano

González-Irusta

Punzón

et al. 2017

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

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This study presents the results of seafloor habitat identification and mapping of a NE Atlantic deep seamount. An "assemble first, predict later" approach has been followed to identify and map the benthic habitats of the Galicia Bank (NW Iberian). Biotic patterns inferred from the survey data have been used to drive the definition of benthic assemblages using multivariate tools. Eight assemblages, four hard substrates and four sedimentary ones, have been described from a matrix of structural species. Distribution of these assemblages was correlated with environmental factors (multibeam and backscatter data) using binomial GAMs. Finally, the distribution model of each assemblage was applied to produce continuous maps and pooled in a final map with the distribution of the main benthic habitats. Depth and substrate type are key factors when determining soft bottom communities, whereas rocky habitat distribution is mainly explained by rock slope and orientation. Enrichment by northern water masses (LSW) arriving to GB and possible zooplankton biomass increase at vertical-steep walls by "bottom trapping" can explain the higher diversity of habitat providing filter-feeders at slope rocky breaks. These results concerning vulnerable species and habitats, such as Lophelia and Madrepora communities and black and bamboo coral aggregations were the basis of the Spanish proposal of inclusion within the Natura 2000 network. The aim of the present study was to establish the scientific criteria needed for managing and protecting those environmental values.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study an "assemble first, predict later" approach (González-Mirelis et al, 2012;Robert et al, 2016) has been followed to identify and map the benthic habitats of the GB. Biotic patterns inferred from the survey data have been used to drive the definition of benthic assemblages using multivariate tools.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%