Coral and Sponge Significant Benthic Areas in Eastern Canada (2016)

Maps delineate significant concentrations of corals and sponges on Canada's east coast, produced through quantitative analysis of research vessel trawl survey data. The analysis applies kernel density estimation to model biomass surfaces for sponges, gorgonian corals, and sea pens, following a bio-regionalization approach. Results are compared to previous analyses from 2010.

Use Cases

• Apply kernel density estimation to geo-referenced biomass data to identify coral and sponge 'hot spots' for conservation planning.
• Compare modeled biomass surfaces for sponges, gorgonian corals, and sea pens across bio-regions to assess distribution changes since 2010.
• Refine area borders using knowledge of null catches and species distribution models that incorporate environmental data.
• Analyze significant benthic area maps alongside environmental datasets to model species presence-absence and biomass.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on quantitative methods including kernel density estimation applied to research vessel trawl survey data.
• The dataset covers a specific geographic region: the east coast of Canada.
• The methodology follows a bio-regionalization approach to facilitate modeling of similar species.
• Results are compared to a previous analysis conducted for the same region in 2010, providing a temporal reference.

Limitations

• The dataset's temporal coverage is limited to a snapshot from 2016, with comparisons only to 2010, potentially missing recent ecological changes.
• Data resolution may be constrained by multispecies surveys that do not record coral and sponge catch at the species level.
• The analysis relies on supplementary data sources where available, which may introduce inconsistencies in coverage or methodology.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Collection Method

Quantitative analysis of research vessel trawl survey data, supplemented with other sources, using kernel density estimation and an aerial expansion method.

Time Range

2016 (with comparisons to a 2010 analysis).

Freshness

The dataset was last updated on the platform in March 2026, but the underlying analysis and data are from 2016.

Geography

East coast of Canada.