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Using an ensemble modelling approach to predict suitable habitat for Zostera marina beds, Modiolus modiolus beds and Sabellaria spinulosa reefs in UK waters 2022

Abstract

This report describes methods used to pilot the use of JNCC Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) framework to model areas suitable for the establishment of subtidal seagrass beds, Modiolus modiolus beds and Sabellaria spinulosa reefs in UK waters from environmental variables and records of presence of the habitats. The main driver was this work was the development of two indicators of Good Environmental Status under the UK Marine Strategy namely the “Potential Physical Loss of Habitats’ and ‘Condition of Biogenic Reefs’ indicators. In this report we describe the approach, present, and discuss results and model limitations.

This is the first report describing the methodology for the development of marine habitat suitability modelling. This was produced using JNCC's in-house 'species distribution modelling framework' (JNCC, 2019), combining predictor variables (environmental datasets) and response variables (presence and absence datasets) to predict habitat suitability of Sabellaria spinulosa reefs in the UK. As true absences are particularly scarce in survey data, the presence of other habitats were used as a proxy for absences instead; this is referred to as pseudo-absence data.

Accompanying the report are habitat suitability model datasets for:

  • Sabellaria spinulosa reefs in the UK
  • Modiolus modiolus beds in the UK
  • Zostera marina beds in the UK

This report may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need a copy in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2022·08·01

Citation
Castle, L., Pinder, J., Lillis, H. & Manca, E. 2022. Using an ensemble modelling approach to predict suitable habitat for Zostera marina beds, Modiolus modiolus beds and Sabellaria spinulosa reefs in UK waters. JNCC Report No. 718, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This is the first report describing the methodology for the development of marine habitat suitability modelling, and was produced using JNCC's in-house 'species distribution modelling framework'.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2022·08·01

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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