MESH Final Products
The MESH
project set out to deliver 11 final products - our
key deliverables:
- The first collated and
harmonised map of seabed habitats for the north-west Europe
INTERREG-IIIB Area, presented in a Geographical Information System
(GIS) according to the European Environment Agency's European EUNIS
habitat classification system and the EC Habitats Directive types.
MESH
webGIS.
- Accompanying maps
indicating the quality of mapping information in relation to its
accuracy and precision at different scales of resolution.
MESH Confidence
Assessment Tool
- A metadata
catalogue of seabed mapping studies for north-west Europe,
holding details on the location of each study, the mapping
techniques employed and the range of data and end products
generated. MESH Metadata
Catalogue
- The first large-scale
evaluation of the practical application of the EEA's EUNIS habitat
classification and recommendations for its modification or
improvement for mapping studies.
- A set of internationally
agreed protocols and standards for marine habitat mapping. This
will include guidance on mapping strategies, standards for
undertaking remote-sensing and ground-truthing surveys for
intertidal and subtidal mapping using a variety of techniques, and
protocols for data storage, interpretation and
presentation. MESH Guide to
Marine Habitat Mapping
- A series of new mapping
studies that will have tested, evaluated and help improve the
mapping protocols and standards, and provide data for other actions
in the project. Survey Reports & MESH
Survey Database.
- Models for the prediction
of habitat type, based on physical and hydrographic information
within different habitat areas and water depths.
Modelling
- Case studies that will
demonstrate the political, economic and environmental use of marine
habitat maps for spatial planning and management at local through
to international scales. Case Study
Library
- A web site providing wide
access to the products of the project, including interactive GIS
seabed maps for north-west Europe. MESH website and
MESH
webGIS
- National networks of
habitat mapping practitioners and end-users in management,
regulatory and planning authorities. Stakeholder
Network
- A framework within each
country for the continued collation and improvement of habitat maps
at national level and their compilation and aggregation at an
international level. MESH
Follow-on strategy.

Image from the MESH WebGIS
showing seabed sediments and bathymetry.