An atlas of seabed biodiversity for Aotearoa New Zealand_supplementary materials2

Database of model evaluation and expert appraisal scores for spatial layers derived from 'An atlas of seabed biodiversity for Aotearoa New Zealand'. The atlas provides predicted distribution and associated uncertainty from species distribution models for seafloor associated taxa in the NZ marine environment. Spatial datasets are accessible via a geoportal hosted by the NZ Department of Conservation Portal (https://doc-marine-data-deptconservation.hub.arcgis.com). Abstract to a manuscript supporting the publication of the atlas is given below.

The waters of Aotearoa New Zealand span over 4.2 million km2 of the South Pacific Ocean and harbour a rich diversity of seafloor associated taxa. Due to the immensity and remoteness of the area, there are significant gaps in the availability of data to quantify and map the distribution of seafloor and demersal biodiversity, limiting effective management. In this study, we describe the development and accessibility of an online atlas of seabed biodiversity that aims to fill these gaps. Species distribution models were developed for 579 taxa across four taxonomic groups: demersal fish, reef fish, subtidal invertebrates and macroalgae. Spatial layers for taxa distribution based on habitat suitability were statistically validated and then, as a further check, evaluated by taxonomic experts to provide measures of confidence to guide the future use of these layers. Spatially explicit uncertainty (SD) layers were also developed for each taxon distribution. We generated layer-specific metadata, including statistical and expert evaluation scores, which were uploaded alongside the accompanying spatial layers to an online open access marine data portal hosted by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. The online atlas is fully interactive, with search and plotting functions, and allows the export of single or multiple spatial layers on seafloor biodiversity. The atlas provides the most comprehensive database on the distribution of seafloor taxa for Aotearoa New Zealand and is thus an invaluable resource for managers, researchers and the general public that will guide the management and conservation of seafloor communities.