Resources

INFOMAR (Seabed Survey) Seabed Habitat Classification around Ireland

Data set information

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General  
Data holding centreGeological Survey Ireland
CountryIreland  Ireland
Time periodFrom 2000 onwards
OngoingYes
Geographical area

Currently Designated Irish Continental Shelf; Irish Exclusive Economic Zone; Irish Territorial Sea; Irish Contiguous Zone; Irish Internal Waters

Observations 
Parameters

Date and time; Habitat characterisation; Habitat extent; Horizontal spatial co-ordinates

Instruments

Single-beam echosounders; multi-beam echosounders; sediment grabs

Description 
Summary

Seabed habitat classification data collected around Ireland and harmonised to EUNIS classification codes. The European Environment Agency (EEA) developed a classification scheme for habitats as part of its EUNIS system (European Nature Information System) for managing species, site and habitat information. Seabed habitat classification data processed from INFOMAR surveys includes the following breakdown of seabed habitat. Class 1 Fine Sand to Mud. Class 2 Coarse to Medium Sand. Class 3 Gravel to Coarse Sand. Class 4 Rock (Less Texture). Class 5 Rock Habitat classification. Collated marine habitats have been completed for inshore and offshore areas within the Currently Designated Irish Continental Shelf. Inshore seabed classification mapping has been completed for Bantry and Dunmanus bays, Cork coastline, Donegal and Sligo bays, Galway Bay, along the Co. Waterford coastline and in the Irish Sea around Dublin, Meath and Louth coastlines. Habitat classification mapping completed during the MESH and MESH Atlantic projects between 2006 and 2013. The MESH Guide to Marine Habitat Mapping provides a methodological framework for marine habitat mapping giving the information required to ensure consistency and compatibility between seabed habitat maps. The habitat mapping work supports the development of a framework for Mapping European Seabed Habitats. The INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Irelands MArine Resource (INFOMAR) programme is a joint venture between the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). The programme is the successor to the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS) and concentrates on creating integrated mapping products related to the seabed. Marine habitat maps are complete for more than 50% of the area of the Currently Designated Irish Continental Shelf.

OriginatorsGeological Survey Ireland
Marine Institute
Data web sitehttps://data.gov.ie/dataset/emodnet-seabed-habitats
Availability 
OrganisationGeological Survey Ireland
AvailabilityLicence
ContactSean Cullen (INFOMAR Programme Manager)
Address

Geological Survey Ireland
Block 1, Booterstown Hall, Booterstown Avenue
Booterstown
Co. Dublin
A94 N2R6
Ireland

Telephone+353-1-6782000
Facsimile+353-1-6681782
Emailinfo@infomar.ie
Administration 
Collating centreMarine Institute
Local identifierHB.IE.GSI.INFOMAR.SeabedClassification
Global identifier6508
Last revised2017-12-04