Habitats and Biotopes in the German Baltic Sea

The dataset provides full-coverage maps of the habitats and biotopes in the German Baltic Sea at a resolution of 1 x 1 km for the entire region and at 50 x 50 m resolution in specific areas. We combined geological and biological surveys to map the seabed and collected extensive data to classify different habitats and their associated benthic communities. Using newly established national guidelines and predictive habitat modelling, we produced highly accurate maps. For upload to EMODnet four separate maps were made:

• Broad Habitat Types according to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
• Annex I Habitat types
• Habitat types classified according to the Baltic Sea-wide HELCOM underwater biotope and habitat classification (HUB)
• other habitat types, OHTs for German marine waters include biotope types according to S30 of the German Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), according to the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), as well as the Baltic Sea-wide HELCOM Red List types