Inventory and comparative evaluation of seabed mapping, classification and modeling activities in the Northwest Atlantic, USA to support regional ocean planning

Marine spatial planning initiatives are being conducted across the globe to reduce conflicts in human uses of coastal and offshore ocean environments (Collie et al., 2012). An ecosystem-based approach to marine spatial planning is essential for achieving resource conservation and management goals across geographic boundaries (McLeod and Leslie, 2009; Samhouri et al., 2014), and requires knowledge of both human uses and ecological characteristics in order to prioritize activities (Crowder and Norse, 2008; Halpern et al., 2008; Baker and Harris, 2012; Menzel et al., 2013). Maps of natural resource distribution are essential tools for spatial planning in the terrestrial and marine realms. However, high resolution mapping of marine resources has only recently been possible at relatively broad scales. Recent advances in marine mapping technology have led to a proliferation of marine resource characterization, modeling and classification techniques (Brown et al., 2011)