Habitat types key navigation

You can use the 'key navigation' function to identify a specific habitat by answering a set of questions. Starting from first question to next questions you select one of the possible answers. Here are samples of possible answers:

• No ( 002 ) - Leading to question named '002'
• Yes [ G ] - Leading to another questions subset of level G
• No [ E6 ] - Links directly to factsheet for E6

Additionally the diagram may be used for reference.


Category : (A6 )Deep-sea bed
Diagram :

Question a31 :   Characterised by chemical conditions?

Deep-sea habitats characterised by chemical conditions are separated (path = Yes): these include the presence of seeping or bubbling gases or liquids, hypoxic and/or anoxic conditions in the water column above and interface habitats on the deep-sea bed where reducing conditions exist, not generally associated with drastically elevated temperatures, including the carcasses of large cetaceans.

Answers: Yes [ A6.9 ] No ( a32 )

Question a32 :   Features of significant relief?

Habitats on the deep-sea bed are separated according to their relief: regions with significant elevation (>200 m) in relation to their surroundings (path = raised); those significantly below the deep-sea bed (such as deep ocean trenches, often greater than 6000 m depth with an active margin reduction zone) and downslope or along-slope channels on the deep-sea bed (path = lowered); and the deep-sea bed plain (path = plain).

Answers: raised [ A6.7 ] plain ( a33 ) lowered [ A6.8 ]

Question a33 :   Substrate

Deep-sea benthic habitats are separated into those with substrates predominantly rock (or artificial hard substrates); of mixed particle size or predominantly gravel (mixed/gravel); sand; muddy sand; mud; or biogenic (e.g. coral reefs and sponge beds).

Answers: rock [ A6.1 ] mixed/gravel [ A6.2 ] sand [ A6.3 ] muddy sand [ A6.4 ] mud [ A6.5 ] biogenic [ A6.6 ]