Seabed geodiversity of the Baltic Sea

Abstract

Geodiversity describes the variability of the geological characteristics over a certain area. It includes e.g. geological and geomorphological features and their assemblages. Geodiversity has an intrinsic value, it provides several abiotic ecosystem services, and is associated with the biodiversity and long-term conservation of the marine environment. We have analyzed geodiversity patterns on a glaciated epicontinental basin, the Baltic Sea. The analysis aimed to locate geodiversity hotspots and draw conclusions on contributing processes. Geodiversity was assessed in a GIS environment based on broad-scale datasets on seabed substrates, structures, and bedrock. Geodiversity was measured with three parameters: patchiness, richness and geodiversity index. Geodiversity patterns were compared with variables, which were considered to reflect geological processes under seabed conditions. The aim of the analysis was to visualize broad scale geological characteristics of the seafloor environment and to provide science-based knowledge for the ecosystem based management of the Baltic Sea. This presentation will describe the seabed geodiversity distribution of the Baltic Sea and discuss the linkages between geodiversity and various geological processes. The analysis used seabed data provided by EMODnet program among others. The study was partly funded by the SmartSea project of the Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland (grant no. 292 985).