The Atlantic Ocean landscape: A basin-wide cluster analysis of the Atlantic near seafloor environment

Landscape maps based on multivariate cluster analyses provide an objective and comprehensive view the (marine) environment. They can hence support decision making regarding sustainable ocean resource handling protection schemes. Across a large number of scales, input parameters classification methods, numerous studies categorize into seascapes, hydro-morphological provinces or clusters. Many them are regional, however, while only few basin scale. This study presents automated analysis entire Atlantic seafloor environment, eight global datasets their derivatives: Bathymetry, slope, terrain ruggedness index, topographic position sediment thickness, POC flux, salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, current velocity, phytoplankton abundance in surface waters along with seasonal variabilities. As result, we obtained nine seabed areas (SBAs) that portray seafloor. Some SBAs have clear geological geomorphological nature, others defined by mixture water body characteristics. The majority SBAs, especially those covering deep areas, coherent show little hydrographic variation, whereas other, nearshore smaller sized dominated high changes. To demonstrate potential use marine landscape map for spatial planning purposes, mapped out local SBA diversity using patch richness index developed ecology. It identifies diversity, is practical way defining interest, e.g. designation as protected further research. Clustering probabilities highest (100%) center patches decrease towards edges (< 98%). On point cloud which was reduced <98%, ran to identify highlight regions different per area, indicating such automatically find potentially delicate areas. We found some highlights already within existing EBSAs, but yet unexplored.