indicator

Fragile Habitats

Focus Question

Are the Sound’s deep-water habitats, like the seafloor corals and sponges, healthy?

Answer: The Partnership is working on a full characterization study of fragile habitats by 2035, check back soon!

What Was Measured

To better understand, describe, and analyze these seafloor (or “benthic”) environments, federal and state agencies, regional organizations, and academic institutions use high resolution underwater acoustic and imaging techniques to characterize and map specific geographic locations.

The Partnership is committed to completing a full characterization of the Sound’s sea floor and its fragile habitats following the goals in the Long Island Sound Seafloor Habitat Mapping Initiative. The Seafloor Habitat Mapping Initiative aims to complete mapping of the entire seafloor to better understand the ecological characterization, biodiversity, and threats (e.g., invasives and adverse impacts from electric transmission cable placement). Read more about the initiative here.

Status and Trends

Under Construction

The Fragile Habitats indicator indicates progress on the Partnership’s efforts to protect and enhance the health of offshore habitats and their associated species for the Offshore Habitat objective.

The Partnership is working on a full characterization study of fragile habitats by 2035, check back soon!