European Regional Seas

Habitat characterisation; Habitat extent; Seabed photography

This report, prepared in the frames of the FP7 MESMA project, is a catalogue of the most important European seabed biotopes. Existing information was compiled and analysed for the majority of European seabed biotopes as proposed and classified by the European Nature Information System (EUNIS). Building upon EUNIS the catalogue was greatly extended. The report focuses specifically on sub-littoral marine EUNIS habitat types defined as biotopes. Special emphasis was given on the Mediterranean, Black Sea (Pontic), and deep-sea biotopes, for which little or no information was included in the original EUNIS database. In total, 67 biotopes at EUNIS level-4 were compiled, 27 new sub-biotopes were inserted and described, 16 of which at EUNIS level-5, and 11 more at EUNIS level-6 (EUNIS, 2002). Biotope factsheets were formatted according to a standard layout, compiling all existing and/or readily available information on Biotope Name, Classification, Biotope Pictures, Biotope Distribution (map) and Links to available maps where available.

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography
46.7 km Athinon-Souniou Av. P.O.Box 712
Anavyssos

19013
Greece