High-resolution species distribution modelling of two coastal biogenic habitat-forming species in an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area of the Bay of Fundy, Canada

High-resolution species distribution models (SDMs) were developed for two
benthic invertebrate species of marine conservation significance across a
113 km2 Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) of the Bay
of Fundy, Canada. The stalked tunicate, Boltenia ovifera, and horse
mussel, Modiolus modiolus, can form coastal biogenic habitat and are
vulnerable to disturbance. A near-seabed imaging survey (depths ranging
from 8 to 79 m) provided presence, absence, and abundance data for both
species. Boosted Regression Tree SDMs combined these data with 11
environmental variables. Presence-probability distributions were
generated; however, abundance patterns could not be adequately modelled.
Oblique geographic coordinates, which incorporate location of samples as
information, proved useful for predicting species presence, along with
seabed rugosity, maximum current speed and bathymetry for B. ovifera, and
maximum and minimum current speed along with seabed rugosity for M.
modiolus. High-resolution SDMs (in this case, 5-m grid) provide enhanced
spatial context for ocean managers towards marine spatial planning in
high-use coastal marine environments where bottom contact fisheries access
and other coastal development must be balanced against marine conservation
objectives.