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
