Complex Deep-sea Environments
CodeMAP
With the ever-increasing pressure on our Deep Oceans, there is a rising and urgent need for the quantification of deep-sea biodiversity. Complex Deep-sea Environments: Mapping habitat heterogeneity As Proxy for biodiversity (CodeMAP) searches for alternative methods to quantify deep-sea biodiversity. The aim is to develop a robust, integrated and fully 3D methodology to map complex deep-sea habitats, using a combination of acoustic and visual techniques
CodeMAP is a Starting Grant project supported by the European Research Council (ERC).
Project approach
CODEMAP focuses on submarine canyons; techniques are transferable to other deep-sea environments.
The Team
The CODEMAP team bring together expertise in marine geoscience, geology, biology and engineering.
Top-down analysis
Robust mapping of habitats and marine landscapes on the regional to medium scale.
Habitat heterogeneity
Quantification of habitat heterogeneity and evaluation of its potential as proxy for biodiversity.
Bottom-up analysis
Finding quantitative relationships that can bring information from a more detailed to a broader scale.
Habitat heterogeneity in 3D
Mapping deep-sea cliffs / overhangs using underwater vehicles (AUV/ROV) in ‘sideways’ or ‘front-looking’ mode.
