{"id":897,"date":"2023-03-07T15:47:51","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T15:47:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/researchsupport\/?page_id=897"},"modified":"2025-06-08T21:11:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T21:11:09","slug":"phase-v-wio-benth-identification-characterization-and-vulnerability-assessment-of-benthic-ecosystems-in-the-wio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/researchsupport\/phase-v-wio-benth-identification-characterization-and-vulnerability-assessment-of-benthic-ecosystems-in-the-wio\/","title":{"rendered":"Phase V – WIO-BENTH- Identification, characterization and vulnerability assessment of benthic ecosystems in the WIO"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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WIO-BENTH- Identification, characterization and vulnerability assessment of benthic ecosystems in the WIO<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Key Words<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Country Covered<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Benthic ecosystems, habitat mapping, continental shelf in the WIO, upper slope, marine spatial planning, biodiversity assessment, sediment sampling, ecological dynamics, soft-sediment habitats.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar and South Africa <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Lead Institution<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Project Duration<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Oceanographic Research Institute, <\/span>South Africa<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u00a02019-2023<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Abstract <\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The WIO-Benth project aimed to identify, characterize, and assess the vulnerability of benthic ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), focusing primarily on the continental shelf and upper slope habitats. The project was executed by a collaborative team comprising specialists from various institutions, including the Oceanographic Research Institute, the Centre d\u2019Etudes et du D\u00e9veloppement des P\u00eaches, and marine research institutes from Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and Norway. Spanning from November 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021, the initiative set out to enhance regional marine spatial planning (MSP) through comprehensive mapping and modeling.<\/span><\/p>

To achieve its objectives, the project utilized existing survey data from the WIO, particularly from the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen research vessel, alongside inputs from participating countries who contributed soft-sediment benthic survey data from other research vessels. Although the project faced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed data cleaning and analysis workshops, significant progress was nonetheless made. The project adopted an iterative approach in developing a coarse-scale seabed classification scheme aligned with global standards, which was refined based on the nature and suitability of the data gathered.<\/span><\/p>

The methodology involved gathering high-resolution seabed information through sediment samples acquired via benthic grab sampling, as well as acoustic data from multibeam echo sounders, satellite data, and electronic charts. These data sources were integrated and analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map and model habitat types and their corresponding benthic communities. Furthermore, the project aimed to create detailed biotope descriptions, supporting a better understanding of the ecological dynamics within these habitats.<\/span><\/p>

Throughout the project’s duration, notable findings emerged, despite challenges in data validation. The efforts of the chief engineer from the Institute of Marine Research were crucial in processing acoustic data. Although the data collected from the Nansen surveys were not suitable for regional habitat mapping, information pertaining to two areas that underwent fine-scale surveying was produced. Additionally, an acoustic characterization of the Kenyan seabed was made available through the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute, contributing further insights.<\/span><\/p>

An inventory of sediment samples was compiled, particularly from South Africa, Mozambique, and north-west Madagascar, with plans to process additional samples from Mozambique. Oceanographic analyses were conducted to generate habitat mapping layers that reflect conditions in the water column based on data from over 3,000 CTD\/XBT stations. Collaborative efforts with oceanographers from Nelson Mandela University enhanced the project’s outcomes. MSc students from participating countries were identified and began engaging with the benthic community data to contribute to the classification and mapping efforts.<\/span><\/p>

The project identified a total of approximately 1,250 trawls, which were cleaned and validated to confirm taxonomic names and determine habitat preferences. While overwhelming data delays postponed the previous year’s habitat mappings based on trawled species and habitat preferences, students from Tanzania, Madagascar, and Mozambique were identified to assess this valuable community data.<\/span><\/p>

Despite delays in data analysis workshops, plans were in place to hold sessions early in 2022, and the project team submitted an abstract for the IIOSC2022 conference, along with a blog post highlighting project progress. A presentation was also delivered at a workshop hosted by the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment.<\/span><\/p>

The successful completion of the WIO-Benth project culminated in the establishment of comprehensive maps and spatial layers detailing the occurrence of seabed habitats and soft sediment benthic communities. This crucial information will greatly contribute to a WIO atlas and assist in informed decision-making for marine spatial planning. The project aligns with the UNEP’s Nairobi Convention initiatives, aimed at advancing marine protected areas management and promoting sustainable marine resource management in the region. Through this pioneering initiative, the WIO-Benth project not only enhanced scientific understanding but also actively supported the sustainable management of the diverse ecosystems that lie within the Western Indian Ocean.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Project Objective<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u2022 To develop a coarse-scale seabed classification scheme for the continental shelf and upper slope habitats in the WIO
\u2022 To characterize and determine the spatial extent of benthic communities of the continental shelf and upper slope in the western part of the WIO
\u2022 To create the first benthic biotope descriptions for the continental shelf and upper slope of the western part of the WIO using seabed habitat types and benthic communities
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Project activities included establishing the availability, suitability, and spatial distribution of acoustic, physic-chemical, grab, and demersal trawl data from Nansen surveys and other surveys conducted in the WIO region. The team undertook a comprehensive literature and data review of biogeographic provinces, habitats, benthic communities, and vulnerable or critical habitats within the WIO. They produced GIS layers that depicted seabed acoustic characteristics and created detailed maps of biotopes, including both habitat and community types for the WIO region.

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