Habitat suitability maps for harbour porpoises in the North Sea-Baltic Sea transition zone from 1997 to 2022

Marine mammals abundance and distribution

The dataset includes 6 layers showing modelled habitat suitability for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) across the North Sea-Baltic Sea transition zone over a 25-year period (1997-2004; 2005-2012; 2013-2022) during winter (Nov-Apr) and summer (May-Oct). Habitat suitability was estimated using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm, based on satellite tag data of 111 individuals and a range of dynamic and static environmental conditions as predictor variables. Habitat suitability models and maps were developed by researchers of the Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University to quantify potential spatiotemporal changes in the overlap between suitable habitats and an existing network of 62 MPAs dedicated to harbour porpoise protection. The habitat suitability rasters can inform effective design of forthcoming MPAs under the European Union (EU) Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

Data and resources

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Background Information

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Background Information

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Background Information

Background information from the source

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Background Information

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Additional information

Date (creation)	2025-03-27
Status	onGoing
Update frequency	asNeeded
Metadata language	en
License	CC BY 4.0
Source metadata	ISO 19115 XML
Last updated	2026-11-04
Created	2026-11-04
API	package_show