Mapping benthic communities: An indispensable tool for the preservation and management of the eco-socio-system in the Bay of Seine

Abstract The establishment of benthic marine habitat maps plays an important role in the conservation and management of coastal ecosystems faced with the increasing impacts of human activities. The Bay of Seine, bordering the eastern part of the English Channel, is an area undergoing considerable cumulative impacts, and which consequently requires a synthesis of our knowledge of the ecological status of its benthic habitats. Fortunately, numerous benthic sampling campaigns have been carried out over the last two decades, mainly in the eastern and western shallow parts of the bay. These campaigns have led to the construction of a database, allowing statistical analyses at the scale of the whole area which are then used to produce maps. Nevertheless, it appears that maps constructed using existing Natura 2000, EUNIS (European Nature Information System), and French MNHN (Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle) typologies are not enough detailed to distinguish the mosaic of habitats of the Seine estuary. It is indispensable to add expert judgements concerning local areas to updated maps of the benthic communities in the Bay of Seine. Several Natural Zones of Interest for Ecology in terms of Flora and Fauna named ‘ZNIEFF-Marine’ areas have been identified, which could be useful in the future in the context of marine Natura 2000 sites for the management and conservation of endangered marine habitats in this maritime zone subject to highly conflicting interests.