Sea-floor Integrity

“Sea-floor integrity is at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of the ecosystems are safeguarded and benthic ecosystems, in particular, are not adversely affected”. The sea-floor integrity reflects the characteristics (physical, chemical and biological) of the sea bottom. These characteristics delineate the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems, especially for species and communities living on the sea floor (benthic ecosystems).

In the ocean, the sea-floor is a key compartment for marine life, since it is a high biomass productivity area, especially in shallow waters. A great diversity of sea-floor types can be encountered depending on the substrate, the depth and the local environmental conditions. They form different kinds of habitats for fixed or mobile marine species that live on, inside and above the sea bottom .