Environmental Data Layers for Species Distribution Modelling in the Maritimes Region

102 environmental data layers compiled for the spatial extent of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Maritimes Region. The layers include physical and biological variables, spatially interpolated using geostatistical methods, and are archived in raster format. These variables have been used to model the distribution of deep-water corals, sponges, and other benthic taxa.

Use Cases

• Train species distribution models using the 102 environmental layers to predict occurrence of deep-water corals or sponges.
• Apply geostatistical interpolation diagnostics to assess the reliability of environmental surfaces for modelling.
• Analyze spatial patterns of physical and biological variables across the Maritimes Region for marine ecology studies.
• Combine standard error and interpolation surfaces from the layers to quantify uncertainty in habitat suitability predictions.

Strengths

• Contains 102 distinct environmental data layers for comprehensive modelling.
• Variables are spatially interpolated to provide continuous surfaces across the entire Maritimes Region.
• Includes diagnostic summaries and model performance assessments for each interpolation.

Limitations

• Dataset consists of processed raster layers; original raw observation data and its temporal resolution are not specified.
• Focus is limited to the Maritimes Region of Canada, limiting geographic generalizability.
• The specific variables comprising the 102 layers are not enumerated in the provided description.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ocean Ecosystems Science Division.

Collection Method

Variables obtained from physical and biological data sources and spatially interpolated using geostatistical methods.

Freshness

Data was published in July 2023, with a platform record update in March 2026.

Geography

Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Maritimes Region.