GIS layers of seafloor characteristics in the Azores region (North Atlantic), links to files in ArcGIS format ...

• Main Authors: Perán Miñarro, Antonio David, Pham, Christopher Kim, Amorim, Patricia, Cardigos, Frederico, Tempera, Fernando, Morato, Telmo
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2016
• Subjects: File content; File size; Uniform resource locator/link to file; A Trans-Atlantic assessment and deep-water ecosystem-based spatial management plan for Europe ATLAS; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.862152; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.862152

Current European legislation such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD; 2008/56/EC) has highlighted the need for accurate maps on the geomorphology of Europe's maritime territory. Such information is notably essential for the production of habitat maps and cumulative impact assessments of human activities (Halpern et al., 2008) necessary for marine spatial planning initiatives (Gilliland and Laffoley, 2008) and assessments of the representativity/sufficiency of marine protected areas networks like Natura 2000. Broadscale satellite bathymetry presently allows the identification of all prominent geomorphic structures present on the seafloor with a high grade of accuracy. However, these datasets and maps still need to be more widely disseminated in the scientific community.In this contribution, we provide an inventory of some important datasets related to the physical characteristics of the seafloor surrounding the Azores Archipelago. The objective is to ensure that our compilation is readily ... : Inventory of some important datasets related to the physical characteristics of the seafloor surrounding the Azores Archipelago. The objective is to ensure that our compilation is readily available for any researchers interested in this type information but also to support institutions responsible for the management and conservation of local resources. ...