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Workshop "Using EUNIS habitat classification for benthic mapping in european seas"

23/abr/2012 - 24/apr/2012 | AQUARIUM of San Sebastian-Donostia | twitterfacebook | compartir noticiaimprimir

meritxel.gonzalez@azti.es

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There is presently an increasing demand for marine habitat maps that improve our knowledge of seascape distributions and support the implementation of European and national legislation such as the Habitats and the Marine Strategy Framework Directives; and the new marine management initiatives, such as Marine Spatial Planning and ecosystem-based management.

Against this background, different classification schemes have been developed with the aim of producing a common understanding and terminology for classifying habitats throughout regional seas.

This Workshop, organized by the MeshAtlantic project (Mapping European Seabed Habitat Maps in the Atlantic area; InterReg Atlantic Area Transnational Programme ofthe European Regional Development Fund), will focus upon the experience of different countries and case studies, using the EUNIS (the European Nature Information Service) habitat classification. This scheme has been used in many different ways, such as by direct observation of habitats or by habitat modelling, to produce predictive habitat maps. The strengths and weaknesses of the applicability of the classification will be highlighted, whilst the necessary improvements to make it ecologically-meaningful and of use to managers and decision-makers will be discussed. New biotope classes observed in the field and revisions of the classification that enhance the ecological significance of the scheme and its comprehensiveness, as it is developed into less well represented biogeographic areas such as the southwestern European seas (with a particular focus on the Atlantic Area region, the Bay of Biscay and the Azores) and the deep-sea realm, will be considered.

This Workshop aims are:

(i) to bring together scientists with experience in the use of the EUNIS classification, and representatives from the European Environmental Agency;

(ii) to agree on enhancements to EUNIS that ensure an improved representation of the habitats within European marine basins;

(iii) to establish practices that make marine habitats maps produce by scientists more consistent with managers and decision-makers needs. We recommend you to register as soon as possible, as registration numbers are limited.

The agenda will be added soon.

This workshop has no registration fee.

Inscriptions: Send an email to meritxel.gonzalez@azti.es with your name, organisation and email

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