Maerl point data in northern Norway

The National Program for Mapping Biodiversity – Coast has had an aim to provide Norwegian managers and planners with maps of the distribution of marine habitats and key areas for species. Maerl beds have not been systematically mapped, but maerl coverage has been recorded whenever maerl has been observed. 

Maerl has been identified in the field using underwater video cameras and GPS and coverage has been defines into one of four classes (1-single observations, 2-scarce occurrences, 3-Moderately dense, 4-Dense/dominating). For some data, coverage has not been defined, and maerl has only been recorded as a presence. Projection: WGS84 geographic. Data owner: Norwegian Institute for Water Research, NIVA, www.niva.no/en

The data has been collected in northern Norway. The National Program for Mapping Biodiversity – Coast is funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and Ministry of Climate and Environment Project leader: Trine Bekkby, Norwegian Institute for Water Research. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118496480.ch2/summary