THE DIVIDINGLINE

摘要

Marine benthic habitats are physically distinct areas of the seabed, with a typical assemblage of species (a community) thatoccurwithin it. Mapping marine benthic habitats is vital for many purposes, not least for supporting marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management of the marine environment. Benthic maps also support industrial endeavours such as offshore oil and gas developments, mining and fisheries management. They ensure safety for mariners by identifying hazards and designing safe shipping channels for conservation purposes such as designing marine protected areas, identifying critical habitats, and of course improving our knowledge of benthic ecosystems.