Confidence in the depth to seabed, produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats for the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale predictive habitat maps. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). The EMODnet Bathymetry project was the source of the depth to the seabed dataset (a digital elevation model (DEM). The project also produced a ‘quality indicator’ based on data relative age, relative sampling effort and number of soundings. The quality indicator scores were categorised into "high", "moderate" and "low" confidence. Detailed information on the confidence assessment is in Populus J. et al 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer. http://doi.org/10.13155/49975

Confidence in the full output of the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale predictive model, produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). Confidence is calculated by amalgamating the confidence values of the underlying applicable habitat descriptors used to generate the habitat value in the area in question. Habitat descriptors differ per region but include: Biological zone Energy class Oxygen regime Salinity regime Seabed Substrate Riverine input Confidence in habitat descriptors are driven by the confidence in the source data used to determine the descriptor, and the confidence in the threshold/margin (areas closer to a boundary between two classes will have lower confidence). For each grid cell, the confidence in final habitat class was the minimum of all relevant habitat descriptor confidence scores. Confidence values are also available for each habitat descriptor and input data layer. It is important to note that a habitat type confidence score is only relevant to that particular level of the classification system. For example, a cell of A3.1 high energy infralittoral rock with ‘low’ energy class confidence, ‘moderate’ biozone confidence and ‘high’ substrate type confidence would have an overall ‘low’ confidence. However, moving up the hierarchy to EUNIS level two (A3 infralittoral rock) removes the energy class; therefore, the confidence of the EUNIS level two habitat type would only consider the ‘moderate’ biozone confidence and ‘high’ substrate type confidence, resulting in an overall ‘moderate’ confidence. For details on methodology see: Populus J. And Vasquez M. (Eds), 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer Available from: http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00388/49975/

Areas of high riverine inputs for EUSeaMap 2016 Biological zone model. The map cover the Adriatic Sea(Po river plume), east Mediterranean (Thessaloniki gulf and bay, the Maliakos gulf, and Geras gulf in the Aegean Sea) and the Black Sea (Dnieper-Bug river plume area). These are were handled separately in the EUSeaMap 2016 modelling process. This layer is one of several habitat descriptors used to model biological zone and habitat class. To establish the limit of these areas datasets on salinity and water temperature were used, where possible. Detailed information available in Section 2 of: Populus J. et al 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer. http://doi.org/10.13155/49975

Output of the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale predictive model, produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats and aggregated into the Benthic Broad Habitat Types of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (as defined in the Commission Decision 17 May 2017). The extent of the mapped area includes the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and areas of the North Eastern Atlantic extending from the Canary Islands in the south to Norway and Iceland in the North. The map was produced using a "top-down" modelling approach using classified habitat descriptors to determine a final output habitat. Habitat descriptors differ per region but include: Biological zone Energy class Oxygen regime Salinity regime Seabed Substrate Riverine input Habitat descriptors (excepting Substrate) are calculated using underlying physical data and thresholds derived from statistical analyses or expert judgement on known conditions. The model is produced in Arc Model Builder (10.1). For more information on the modelling process please read the EMODnet Seabed Habitats Technical report (See Online Resources) The model was created using raster input layers with a cell size of 0.002dd (roughly 250 meters). The model includes the sublittoral zone only; due to the high variability of the littoral zone, a lack of detailed substrate data and the resolution of the model, it is difficult to predict littoral habitats at this scale. For details on methodology see: Populus J. And Vasquez M. (Eds), 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer Available from: http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00388/49975/

Confidence in kinetic energy due to currents values, produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats for the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale predictive habitat maps. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). Detailed information on the confidence assessment in Populus J. et al 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer. http://doi.org/10.13155/49975

Confidence in the PAR at seabed values, produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats for the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale predictive habitat maps. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). Confidence in Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) at the seabed are driven by the confidence in the underlying data used to determine the descriptor (PAR at the surface, light attenuation coefficient KD(PAR) and depth to the seabed.) and the confidence in the threshold/margin between classes (areas closer to a boundary between two classes will have lower confidence). Detailed information on the confidence assessment in Populus J. et al 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer. http://doi.org/10.13155/49975

Confidence in kinetic energy due to waves values, produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats for the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale predictive habitat maps. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). The confidence assessment considered factors such as: • Quality of training data and methods used to construct the model. • Temporal resolution. • Spatial resolution Detailed information on the confidence assessment in Populus J. et al 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer. http://doi.org/10.13155/49975

Salinity regime class layer in the Baltic Sea and Kattegat strait in the North Sea/Baltic Sea., Produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats as an input layer for the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale habitat model. The map of salinity regime classes was produced using underlying salinity data at the seabed and thresholds derived from statistical analyses or expert judgement on known conditions. Detailed information is found in the EMODnet Seabed Habitats technical report and its appendices (Populus et al, 2017, link in Resources).

Oxygen regime class layer in the Black Sea produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats as an input layer for the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale habitat model. The map of oxygen regime classes was produced using underlying potential density anomaly at the seabed and thresholds derived from statistical analyses or expert judgement on known conditions. Detailed information on the modelling process is found in the EMODnet Seabed Habitats technical report and its appendices (Populus et al, 2017, link in Resources).

Confidence in the 2016 EUSeaMap Oxygen regime class layer, produced by EMODnet Seabed Habitats for the 2016 EUSeaMap broad-scale predictive habitat maps in the Black Sea. Values are on a range from 1 (Low confidence) to 3 (High confidence). Detailed information on the confidence assessment in Populus J. et al 2017. EUSeaMap, a European broad-scale seabed habitat map. Ifremer. http://doi.org/10.13155/49975