Proudfoot B. auteur aut IRD Devillers Rodolphe auteur aut IRD Brown C. J. auteur aut IRD Edinger E. auteur aut IRD Copeland A. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access As human impacts continue to threaten coastal habitats and ecosystems, marine benthic habitat and substrate mapping has become a key component of many conservation and management initiatives. Understanding the composition and extent of marine habitats can inform marine protected area (MPA) planning and monitoring, help identify vulnerable or rare habitats and support fisheries management. To support conservation planning in Eastern Canada, we mapped the seafloor of Newman Sound, identifying the benthoscape classes (i.e. discrete biophysical seafloor classes) of this ecologically diverse and unique fjord in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Mapping was achieved using multibeam echosounder (MBES) data collected using multiple platforms, seafloor videos and an unsupervised pixel-based classification method. Seven benthoscape classes were identified within the extent of the MBES coverages. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that two benthoscape classes - mixed boulder and mud - support distinct epifaunal communities, and also capture the changes in benthic community composition between hard/shallow substrates and soft/deep substrates. Our results illustrate how benthoscape maps can inform marine spatial planning and conservation in the Newman Sound region, support monitoring and also calls for adaptive management of the adjacent Eastport MPA. specialized Seabed mapping Multibeam sonar Backscatter Benthic habitat Marine protected area Newman Sound CANADA TERRE NEUVE 036 24 3 36 [17 ] 2020 1400-0350 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010078137 10.1007/s11852-020-00746-8 1400-0350 [F B010078137] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010078137 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2020/06/010078137.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2020-07-02 2025-02-24 fdi:010078137 fre