3 research outputs found
Semi-automated mapping and characterisation of coral reef mounds : Mingulay Reef proof of concept
This report describes a new approach to map coral reef mounds. The study area used for this mapping exercise is located approximately 13 km east of the island of Mingulay (56°50′N, 7°30′W) and is known as the Mingulay Reef Complex. The approach adopted consists on the combination of the Bathymetric Position Index tool for habitat mapping and the semi-automated mapping method developed initially to map pockmarks at seabed. During this exercise, 354 coral reefs were successfully mapped. The results of this test-of-concept supported the creation of a customised tool for semi-automated mapping of cold-water coral reefs, to derive coral mound attributes from multibeam datasets without interpreter bias
Seabed geomorphology: a two-part classification system
The BGS has developed a two-
part classification system
(‘Morphology’ and ‘Geomorphology’)
to facilitate work on a new ‘S
eabed Geomorphology’ mapping initia
tive, and this classification
system is the focus of this report. As stated in
the Foreword, the rationale
and the basic framework
of the classification system were conceived and es
tablished within BGS, but
recent collaboration
within the
MAREANO
-Norway,
INFOMAR
-Ireland, and
MAREMAP
-UK (MIM) partnership
has led to significant improvement of the classifi
cation system, and this report. To further support
this effort, existing BGS GIS tools (SIGMA) ha
ve been adapted to apply this two-part
classification system for more efficient geom
orphological mapping in the marine environment.
This report:
provides a brief background on seabed mapping
and characterisation, as well as how this
science has been addressed
historically within BGS;
describes the current motiva
tion to conduct seabed geom
orphological mapping, and the
requirement for a new set of t
ools to facilitate this work;
describes the logical framework that
underpins the classification system;
outlines the attributes of the classification
system, how it can be applied, and discusses
the advantages and limitations of the approach.
It is anticipated that through testing and usage,
the classification syst
em will be revised and
improved over time, with updated versions released
through MIM partnershi
p. It is also planned
that a further ‘user guide’ report
will be produced for the classifi
cation system and the GIS tools,
including thematic details (e.g.
background information on ‘coastal’
or ‘glacial’ features) and a
feature glossary