Advancing biotope classification methods for the Tropic seamount ecosystems, North East Atlantic

Description

The TRIDENT project (Technology-based Impact Assessment Tool for Sustainable, Transparent Deep Sea Mining Exploration and Exploitation) explores innovative approaches for mapping biotopes in deep-sea ecosystems, specifically focusing on Tropic Seamount in the northeast Atlantic. Using an iterative framework that integrates acoustic data and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) video footage, the study compares top-down and bottom-up methods for biotope classification. These approaches aim to optimize biotope identification, particularly in complex environments such as seamounts, where benthic habitats and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) are highly heterogeneous. By combining geological and biological data, the importance of fine-scale mapping for accurate biotope delineation is highlighted, revealing ecosystems of high conservation value. Additionally, this research work examines how varying video transect lengths (50 m vs. 200 m) influence classification accuracy, offering insights into efficient data collection strategies. The results underscore the value of biotope mapping for conservation and ecological risk assessment, providing a crucial baseline for future environmental impact studies and aiding in the sustainable management of deep-sea habitats. The study advocates the adoption of standardised frameworks and vocabularies for biotope mapping, supporting the development of robust models that can inform global marine conservation efforts and deep-sea mining regulations.

Period	2025
Event title	Trident General Assembly
Event type	Conference
Location	Las Palmas, SpainShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International