Greater Haig Fras rMCZ: Broad-Scale Marine Habitat Map

A geospatial dataset mapping predicted broad-scale marine habitats within the Greater Haig Fras recommended Marine Conservation Zone. The data was produced by the Government Digital Service using object-based image analysis informed by sediment samples and underwater camera data. The dataset is provided under the UK Open Government Licence.

Use Cases

• Modeling habitat suitability for marine species based on the mapped substrate types.
• Assessing conservation zone boundaries against the predicted extent of high-energy circalittoral rock.
• Comparing sediment composition across zones based on the 'Subtidal mud' and 'Subtidal sand' classifications.
• Validating remote sensing classification methods using the ground-truth station data mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Habitat classifications are derived from multiple data sources, including particle size analysis and underwater imagery.
• Map production used a semi-automated, object-based image analysis (OBIA) process informed by ground-truth stations.
• Includes five distinct broadscale habitat classes, such as 'High energy circalittoral rock' and 'Subtidal coarse/mixed sediment'.

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Government Digital Service

Collection Method

Semi-automated map production using object-based image analysis (OBIA) informed by sediment sample analysis and underwater camera data.

Time Range

null

Freshness

null

Geography

Greater Haig Fras recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ)