Mapping biotic and abiotic seafloor habitat characteristics with multi-spectral multi-beam backscatter data

Detailed knowledge of both the sedimentological and ecological characteristics of the seafloor is essential when undertaking bottom-disturbing activities, but can be a challenge to obtain. Through backscatter data at different frequencies, collected with a multi-spectral multi-beam sonar, information on the structure of both the sediment...

Characterizing seabed sediments using multi-spectral backscatter data in the North Sea

Acoustic classification using single-beam and multi-beam echosounders has been widely applied in characterizing seabed sediments. Although previous studies have shown a better discrimination of fine and coarse sediments using multi-spectral echosounder data, analysis regarding comprehensive seabed sediment properties is still needed. In this...

Indications of marine benthos occurrence from multi-spectral multi-beam backscatter data: a case study in the North Sea

To facilitate the conservation of seafloor habitats and planning of offshore activities, there is a growing need for mapping marine benthos in an effective and efficient way. Acoustic data acquired by multi-beam echosounders (MBES) have been extensively used for large-scale and high-resolution seafloor characterization. A deeper understanding of...

Conservation Implications of Sabellaria spinulosa Reef Patches in a Dynamic Sandy-Bottom Environment

Biogenic reefs form biodiversity hotspots and are key components of marine ecosystems, making them priority habitats for nature conservation. However, the conservation status of biogenic reefs generally depends on their size and stability. Dynamic, patchy reefs may therefore be excluded from protection. Here, we studied epibenthos and...

Beyond connecting the dots: A multi-scale, multi-resolution approach to marine habitat mapping

Conflicts of interests between economic and nature conservation stakeholders are increasingly common in coastal seas, inducing a growing need for evidence-based marine spatial planning. This requires accurate, high-resolution habitat maps showing the spatial distribution of benthic assemblages and enabling intersections of habitats and...

Linking the morphology and ecology of subtidal soft-bottom marine benthic habitats: A novel multiscale approach

High-resolution surveying techniques of subtidal soft-bottom seafloor habitats show higher small-scale variation in topography and sediment type than previously thought, but the ecological relevance of this variation remains unclear. In addition, high-resolution surveys of benthic fauna show a large spatial variability in community...

Measuring Centimeter-Scale Sand Ripples Using Multibeam Echosounder Backscatter Data from the Brown Bank Area of the Dutch Continental Shelf

Backscatter data from multibeam echosounders are commonly used to classify seafloor sediment composition. Previously, it was found that the survey azimuth affects backscatter when small organized seafloor structures, such as sand ripples, are present. These sand ripples are too small to be detected in the multibeam bathymetry. Here, we show that...