Publication Abstract

Drafting a habitat map based on available standard data

Markus Diesing*, Claire Mason*, David Stephens*

Habitat maps have become a fundamental tool for marine spatial planning, the selection and delimitation of marine protected areas and in environmental impact assessments. Tools to carry out habitat mapping at high resolution and full coverage of the seabed are readily available, yet surveying large swathes of seabed is costly in terms of time and money. Available resources should therefore be used in the most effective way in order to maximise results under the given constraints. Here we present a case study from the western Baltic Sea, where a fixed link bridging the 20 km wide Fehmarnbelt, a narrow strait between Denmark and Germany, is planned. In order to provide baseline information for the respective environmental impact assessment, we have drafted a habitat map that is entirely based on available and accessible standard data like single-beam bathymetry, particle-size data of seabed surface sediments, Secchi depths and wind data. The result is a physical habitat map detailing the substrate type, seabed light penetration (photic or aphotic) and exposure towards prevailing winds and waves. The utility and limitations of such a product will be discussed. The draft habitat map will facilitate the selection of sampling stations for baseline investigations and monitoring as well as provide crucial information for the design of acoustic surveys to be carried out later in 2009.

Reference

Markus Diesing*, Claire Mason*, David Stephens* (2009) Drafting a habitat map based on available standard data. NGF Abstracts and Proceedings, 2: p. 26.