IMIS

The marine Biological Valuation Map includes and integrates information on all marine ecosystem components for which detailed spatial distribution data are available. At the Belgian Continental Shelf such data are primarily available for the macrobenthos and seabirds (macrobenthos: UGent-MACRODAT database; seabirds: INBO database). To a lesser extent, but still useful from a valuing perspective, data on the spatial distribution of the epi- and hyperbenthos exist (Ugent and DVZ databases). The biological valuation of the Belgian Continental Shelf is based on the spatial distribution of seabirds and macrobenthos (full coverage baseline Biological Valuation Map), while epi- and hyperbenthos data are used as an upgrade (upgraded Biological Valuation Map for selected areas).