Improving marine habitat mapping using high-resolution acoustic data; a predictive habitat map for the Firth of Lorn, Scotland

Abstract Habitat mapping is an important tool for marine spatial planning and is required for most ecosystem-based management approaches. The Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation (SAC), west Scotland, was originally designated for its rocky reef habitat but it is also an area of high importance for the Flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) and Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Here we present an improved predictive habitat map for the SAC utilising multibeam backscatter and bathymetry data collected as part of the Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland Hydrographic Survey Project. Backscatter, bathymetry and bathymetric derivatives were analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and acoustic signatures were created from drop-down video habitat location data. A predictive habitat map was created from Maximum Likelihood Classification using the PCA. Dominant habitat types identified included; moderate energy circalittoral rock (CR.MCR), sublittoral mixed sediment (SS.SMx) and sublittoral sand and muddy sand (SS.SSa). Drop down video showed variable accuracy with 0–100% correctly classified habitats due to the small sample size. The initial validation points were added and the model was rerun. In areas with no previous sea truthing points, some predictions changed to SS.SMx at depths > 100 m and SS.SSa in depths

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