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The development of Habitat Suitability Models to predict the presence of potentially suitable habitat for subtidal Zostera marina beds and Modiolus modiolus reefs in UK waters 2025

Abstract

This report describes the methods to develop Habitat Suitability Models for the presence of potentially suitable habitat for subtidal Zostera marina beds and Modiolus modiolus reefs in UK waters, using a collection of environmental variables known to influence the extent and distribution of each habitat, and presence and pseudo-absence records of habitat to test and validate the models. The modelling approach can be considered useful as an evidence product to help inform policy, for example the UK Marine Strategy. The report details the methods, outputs and limitations of the models.

Accompanying the report are the following additional resources:

  • C20230707 Modiolus (.tif file): Mean predictive values of habitat suitability for Modiolus modiolus reefs across the UK within the model extent of 0–248 m depth.

  • C20230710 Modiolus sd (.tif file): Standard deviation in the predictive values of probability of habitat suitability for Modiolus modiolus reefs across the UK, within the model extent of 0–248 m depth.

  • C20230901 Zostera (.tif file): Mean predictive values of habitat suitability for Zostera marina beds across the UK within the model extent of 0–15 m depth.

  • C20230901 Zostera sd (.tif file): Standard deviation in the predictive values of probability of habitat suitability for Zostera marina beds across the UK, within the model extent of 0–15 m depth.

These resources may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need copies in a different format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2025·07·01

Citation
Smith, A., Booth, J., Pettit, L., Cordingley, A. & Vina-Herbon, C. 2025. The development of Habitat Suitability Models to predict the presence of potentially suitable habitat for subtidal Zostera marina beds and Modiolus modiolus reefs in UK waters. JNCC Report 801. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This project was part funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the marine arm of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2026·05·15

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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