Mapping the distribution of Laminariales, Ochrophyta using multibeam sonar and species distribution modelling

Multibeam sonar data obtained from The United Kingdom Hydrography Office (UKHO) and ground-truthing information gathered from field surveys were used to train models and produce predictive habitat maps of kelp distribution along ~19 km stretch of coastline in Southern England. Bathymetric derivatives (roughness and fractal dimension) were used alongside acoustic backscatter intensity and depth as environmental variables for predictive modelling using a generalised boosting model (GBM).