Soft-Shelled Clam Habitat Suitability Model for DFO Maritimes Region

A habitat suitability model for soft-shelled clams (Mya arenaria) in the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Maritimes region classifies areas as 'Not Suitable', 'Suitable', or 'Suitable and Validated'. The model integrates substrate classification and bathymetric data from 0 to 70 meters depth. It was validated using clam harvesting intensity and infraction location data from DFO and Conservation and Protection programs.

Use Cases

• Analyze the spatial distribution of 'Suitable and Validated' habitat polygons to prioritize marine conservation areas.
• Train a geospatial model to predict 'Suitable' habitat using substrate types like sand, mud, and bathymetric contours.
• Cross-reference 'Not Suitable' areas, identified by substrates like boulders and gravel, with other marine species datasets for ecosystem modeling.
• Validate the model's 'Suitable' classifications against independent field survey data for clam presence.

Strengths

• Model validation incorporates real-world data from DFO on clam harvesting intensity and infraction locations.
• Suitability criteria are explicitly defined, including specific substrate types (e.g., sand, mud) and a defined bathymetric range (0-70m).
• Data is provided in multiple standard geospatial formats (FGDB/GDB, ESRI REST, CSV) for interoperability.

Limitations

• The model's spatial resolution and the total area covered are unspecified, limiting precision for local analysis.
• Validation relies on harvesting activity as a proxy for species presence, which may miss unharvested viable habitats.
• The underlying substrate and bathymetry data sources (e.g., GEBCO) may have their own inherent accuracy limitations.

Provenance

Source

Coastal Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Collection Method

Developed using an interdepartmental approach combining substrate classification, bathymetric data (GEBCO contours), and validation from DFO harvesting records.

Freshness

Published in January 2024, with a metadata record last updated in March 2026.

Geography

DFO Maritimes region, Canada.