Summary Estimated observations of the biotope AB.B1E4 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic aphotic hard clay dominated by Astarte spp.The HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of AB.B1E4 according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:Known from German and Polish waters in the Baltic Sea. Aphotic hard clay dominated by Astarte spp. occurs on the sills (thresholds) of the Slupsk Furrow that connects the Bornholm Deep with the Gotland Deep and Gdansk Deep. Distribution map indicates the area in the 100 x 100 km grid where biotope is known to occur.(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope AA.G were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic photic peat bottomThe HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of AA.Gaccording to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:The peat bottom biotope is distributed mainly in the Western and Southern Baltic Sea in the Bay of Mecklenburg and to a lesser extent also in the Kiel Bay. The spatial restriction is due to natural history of the subfossile substrates. Distribution map indicates the area in the 100 x 100 km grid where biotope is known to occur.(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope 1130 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Estuaries The HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of the biotope 1130 according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:Estuaries are present in the entire Baltic Sea area. Examples of river mouth areas in Denmark: Gudenåen-Randers Fjord, Horsens Fjord, Vejle Fjord, Kolding Fjord Sweden: Bräkneån, Hagbyån, Virån, Loftaån, Finland: Porvoonjoki river mouth area, Kymijoki river mouth area, Merikarvianjoki, Aurajoki river mouth area, Russia: Neva estuary, Germany: Trave estuary, Warnow estuary, Peene mouth area. The known occurrences of the estuary biotope complex in a 100x100 km grid (Naturvårdverket 2011, EUNIS Database, HELCOM 1998)(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope AE.O5 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic Sea aphotic pelagic below halocline oxicThe HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of AE.O5 according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:The distribution map indicates the area in the 100 x 100 km grid where biotope is known to occur. The habitat only makes up a section of the pelagic water mass in the area indicated by the map. The map is created based on the bathymetric data of the Baltic Proper. According to the depth contours, the grid indicated on the map include areas deeper than 60-80m.(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope 1610 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic esker islands with sandy, rocky and shingle beach vegetation and sublittoral vegetationThe HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of the biotope 1610 according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:Esker islands occur mainly in the northern parts of the Baltic Sea but are most abundant on archipelago coasts. Typical esker islands in Finland and Sweden are Hailuoto and Gotska Sandön. The islands may include dune areas, sandy plains, sandy banks or pine forests also common in other areas with sand or gravel. The distribution map indicates the area in the 100 x 100 km grid where biotope is known or inferred to occur (Naturvårdverket 2011, HELCOM 1998). The geologically defined occurrences are considered to be permanent.(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope AA.H1B7, AA.I1B7, AA.J1B7 and AA.M1B7 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic photic muddy sediment, coarse sediment, sand or mixed substrate dominated by common eelgrass (Zostera marina) The HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea. Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of AA.H1B7, AA.I1B7, AA.J1B7 andAA.M1B7according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts: The Zostera beds are common from Kattegat to the Archipelago Sea in the northern Baltic, and thesalinity gradient from south to north causesconsiderable differences to the composition of theassociated fauna and flora.In the southern Baltic Sea the eelgrass usually forms pure stands along theouter, exposed coastline, whereas in the northern part of the Baltic Sea and insouthern bays andlagoons it often grows intermixed with other aquaticangiosperms. The largest occurrences of thebiotopes dominated by Zosteramarina are found in the southern Baltic Sea, where they represent oneof themost abundant biotopes of the sublittoral. The distribution map indicates thearea in the 100 x 100 kmgrid where biotope is known to occur based on field sampling data. AA.H1B7, AA.I1B7, AA.J1B7 andAA.M1B7have been placed in the Red List classification to the category of Near Threatened (NT) biotopes. (Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope AB.A1J and AB.M1J were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic aphotic rock and boulders or mixed substrates dominated by sponges (Porifera)The HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of AB.A1J and AB.M1J according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:The sponge biotopes are distributed along the whole Baltic Sea coastline. But as aphotic stony bottoms are scarce in the South-western and Southern Baltic Sea the biotopes are distributed mainly along the Swedish, Danish, Estonian and Finnish coastline or at some offshore reefs. The higher the salinities, the higher the diversity of the sponges and due to the more erect growth also the diversity of the inhabiting invertebrate and fish communities. The distribution map indicates the area in the 100 x 100 km grid where biotopes are known to occur.(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope AA.E1C4 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic photic shell gravel dominated by kelpThe HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of AA.E1C4according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:The kelp biotopes are common from Kattegat to the Bornholm Basin. The spatial restriction to the Western and Southern Baltic Sea is due to the salinity requirements of the dominant kelp species. The higher the salinities, the higher the diversity of the biotope with respect to accompanying plant species and inhabiting invertebrate and fish communities. The distribution map indicates the areas where the biotope can occur in a 100x100 km grid.(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope AA.H1A2 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Baltic photic muddy sediment dominated by sedges (Cyperaceae)The HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of AA.H1A2 according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:The muddy sedge biotope can be found in very sheltered lagoons and in some estuaries around the whole Baltic Sea however the main distribution of the biotope along the coast of the Baltic Sea is in the northern parts. The distribution map indicates the area in the 100 x 100 km grid where biotope is estimated to occur.(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)

Summary Estimated observations of the biotope 1620 were collected from the Baltic Sea area by expert judgements for HELCOM Red List of biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes. Description Boreal Baltic islets and small islandsThe HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes (2013) is an updated and improved version of the Red List assessment of marine and coastal biotopes and biotope complexes published in 1998. The classification of the report follows the proposed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria and assessment principals but with some modifications for the Baltic Sea.Altogether, the HELCOM Underwater Biotope and habitat classification (HELCOM HUB) includes 209 biotopes of which 59 were red-listed. Many of the red-listed biotopes are located in deep areas of the Baltic Sea due to oxygen-free nature as well as in the southwestern Baltic Sea due to the salinity restricted distribution of species in certain biotope. The HELCOM assessment relies heavily on expert judgment and inference, and the questionnaire data represents the estimated presence-absence data not in-situ measured data. This must be taken in account when observing the map presentation. The biotopes are shown on the map using the EEA 100 km grid. This dataset displays estimated presence of the biotope 1620 according to HELCOM RED LIST assessment experts:The distribution map indicates the area in the 100 x 100 km grid where biotope is known to occur (Naturvårdverket 2011).(Data (expert judgements) collected in HELCOM RED LIST project, released in May 2013)