CoDeMap: a classification scheme for benthic habitats from the coast to the deep sea in the Mediterranean and Black Sea
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The spatial representation of benthic habitats is essential across various applications, such as biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem management and conservation, and maritime spatial planning. In this context, classification schemes provide a universally understandable framework to characterize and chart the seafloor. This work introduces the Coast to Deep Mapping (CoDeMap) classification scheme for benthic habitats from the coast to the deep-sea environments. It consists of three main components (Morphology, Substrate and Biology) and it is conceived as a practical tool for users from various backgrounds who need to organize and interpret marine observational data, as well as characterize and map seafloors. While primarily developed for the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, CoDeMap serves as a foundational framework that can be adapted to address any current or future similar request worldwide.
Source: Frontiers in Marine Science
Authors: Valentina Grande, Lorenzo Angeletti, Mariacristina Prampolini, Giorgio Castellan, Giacomo Dalla Valle, Simonetta Fraschetti, Daniela Basso, Dimitar Berov, Valentina A. Bracchi, Frine Cardone, Giovanni Chimienti, Annalisa Falace, Bella Galil, Francesco Mastrototaro, Maria Salomidi, Alessandra Savini, Patrick J. Schembri, Valentina Todorova, Marco Taviani, Federica Foglini
Institutions: Istituto di Scienze Marine del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, National Research Council, University of Palermo, Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology, CoNISMa, University of Naples Federico II, University of Milano-Bicocca, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Trieste, Tel Aviv University, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, University of Malta, Institute of Oceanology
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W4415959169