Marine Habitat Classification for Ecosystem-Based Management: A Proposed Hierarchical Framework Marisa L. Guarinello • Emily J. Shumchenia • John W. King Received: 15 June 2009 / Accepted: 5 January 2010 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 Abstract Creating a habitat classification and mapping system for marine and coastal ecosystems is a daunting challenge due to the complex array of habitats that shift on various spatial and temporal scales. To meet this challenge, several countries have, or are developing, national classi- fication systems and mapping protocols for marine habitats. To be effectively applied by scientists and managers it is essential that classification systems be comprehensive and incorporate pertinent physical, geological, biological, and anthropogenic habitat characteristics. Current systems tend to provide over-simplified conceptual structures that do not capture biological habitat complexity, marginalize anthro- pogenic features, and remain largely untested at finer scales. We propose a multi-scale hierarchical framework with a particular focus on finer scale habitat classification levels and conceptual schematics to guide habitat studies and management decisions. A case study using published data is included to compare the proposed framework with existing schemes. The example demonstrates how the proposed framework’s inclusion of user-defined variables, a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, and multi- scale hierarchical organization can facilitate examination of marine habitats and inform management decisions. Keywords Marine Á Coastal Á Habitat classification Á Mapping Á Ecosystem-based management Introduction The intense pressure humans place on marine and coastal habitats is widespread (Halpern and others 2008). To effectively manage human activities, we must understand ecological patterns, processes, and responses to natural and human disturbances across multiple spatial and temporal scales (Thrush and others 1997; Anderson and others 2008). Cross-discipline collaboration is needed (Rafaelli and others 2003; Diaz and others 2004; Anderson and others 2008), along with methodologies for translating between the broad scales of interest to managers and the detailed scales often studied by ecologists (Hall and others 1992; Wu and David 2002). Habitat mapping and classi- fication can address this need if they examine spatial landscape patterns, consider multiple levels of ecosystem organization, and generate testable predictions about eco- system function and resilience. There is no universally accepted system for marine habitats in North America despite academic and govern- mental efforts over the past ten to 15 years (e.g., Madden and others 2005; Valentine and others 2005; Greene and others 2007; Madden and others 2008), whereas Europe (European Nature Information System (EUNIS), EEA 2004; Mapping European Seabed Habitats (MESH), Van Lancker and Foster-Smith 2007), the UK (Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Connor and others 2004), Australia (Holmes and others 2004), and New Zealand (New Zealand Ministry of the Environment 2005) have habitat classification systems and/or mapping proto- cols in operation. The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) system, Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) (Madden and others 2009) is in draft form and efforts are M. L. Guarinello (&) Á E. J. Shumchenia Á J. W. King Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA e-mail: guarinel@cbl.umces.edu 123 Environmental Management DOI 10.1007/s00267-010-9430-5