UKSeaMap 2010 - predictive mapping of seabed habitats

 

Overview

 

The UKSeaMap 2010 project produced a seabed habitat map for the UK marine area. It builds on the previous work of MESH (2008), UKSeaMap 2006 and the Irish Sea Pilot (2004). Newly available data products and an enhanced predictive approach were used to prepare the input data layers.

 

Image of UK SeaMap

Classification system:

EUNIS habitat classification system

 

Input data layers:

  • Seabed substrates
  • Depth
  • Proportion of surface light reaching the seabed
  • Energy (disturbance) at the seabed caused by tidal currents
  • Energy (disturbance) at the seabed caused by waves
 

Outputs:

  • Seabed habitat map based on the EUNIS classification
  • Confidence layer
  • Updated map of coastal physiographic features
  • Interactive mapping portal for viewing and querying data layers online.
 

Final report

 

The UKSeaMap 2010 final report, UKSeaMap 2010: predictive mapping of seabed habitats in UK waters (JNCC Report No. 446), is available online.

In places, the main report refers to technical reports/appendices for more detailed information on several topics. These can be downloaded below:
 
  1. Bathymetry (PDF; 1,633 KB)
  2. Light penetration (PDF; 291 KB)
  3. Substrate (PDF; 3,395 KB)
  4. Energy (PDF; 2,306 KB)
  5. Analysing the relationship between substrate and energy data (PDF; 309 KB)
  6. Comparison of UKSeaMap 2010 predictive habitat map with other predictive habitat maps and maps derived from surveys (PDF; 2,028 KB)
  7. External review of confidence assessment methods (PDF; 1,452 KB)
 

Photo taken by Sue Scott, MNCR Survey NW of Hoxa Head, Scapa Flow,

 

Find out more

UKSeaMap (2006)

EUSeaMap

MESH project website

Irish Sea Pilot Project (2004)

EUNIS habitat classification system

 

For further information contact

Graeme Duncan

Marine Evidence

 

Project Partners

UKSeaMap 2010 was funded through funds which remained after UKSeaMap 2006. UKSeaMap 2006 funding partners, as well as the JNCC, are Defra, Scottish Government, Department for Energy and Climate Change (formerly Department of Trade and Industry), The Crown Estate, Natural Resources Wales (formerly Countryside Council for Wales), Natural England (formerly English Nature), WWF-UK, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The project also received European Regional Development Funding through the INTERREG III B Community Initiative, as part of the Development of a Framework for Mapping European Seabed Habitats project (MESH).

         ukseamap 2010 funding logo