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