General Marine Biotopes (raster)

Definition: The map shows the predicted distribution of general marine biotopes on the Norwegian continental shelf. Biotopes are areas where benthic faunal communities and physical environmental conditions form distinct combinations. The predictions are based on analysed video data, environmental variables and interpreted sediment data from areas mapped by the national Mareano programme. The coverage of video data varies between areas and is shown in a separate coverage map. The modelling was carried out in 2026. The data support sustainable seabed management and are provided by the Institute of Marine Research and the Geological Survey of Norway.

Updated: 17.04.2026
Owner: Geological Survey of Norway

Usage

Biotope data represent important knowledge and are highly relevant for assessing vulnerability, richness of species and uniqueness in an area. The map can be used in the development of management plans and for other advisory processes related to use of marine areas.

Explanation of assessment of FAIR principles:

There have made various tests to evaluate datasets in relation to the FAIR criteria. These are our interpretations, which then assess the criteria in relation to standards and protocols used for spatial data in Norway and Europe. For more information on which calculations we use for each indicator, look at the details of FAIR assessments for each specific dataset.

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Good (over 90%): The dataset adheres to the FAIR principles in a good way. You must do qualitative research yourself to assess any measures to further improve conditions regarding re-use.

Satisfactory (75-90%): The dataset meets many of the FAIR principles, but should be improved in several areas to ensure reuse.

Needs improvement (50-75%): The dataset meets a few of the FAIR principles in a good way, and needs to be improved in several areas.

Poor (less than 50%): The dataset has major shortcomings in terms of meeting FAIR principles and needs to be improved in many areas

FAIR-status: 58%

80%

Findable: Metadata and data should be easy to find for both humans and computers. Machine-readable metadata are essential for automatic discovery of datasets and services

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  • F1: (Meta)data are assigned a globally unique and persistent identifier
    • It is checked that there is metadata in Geonorge. (All metadata in Geonorge have persistent and unique identifiers and are searchable on the web). The request returns metadata in a standardized form. (weight 20)
  • F2: Data are described with rich metadata
    • At least three thematic keywords must be entered in the metadata (weight 10)
    • Title should be a maximum of 105 characters to provide a simple and consistent name that is easy searchable (weight 5)
    • The description should be at least 200 characters to be able to provide sufficient information about the dataset to obtain a good but concise and precise description of what the dataset contains. (There are specific metadata elements where you can enter supplementary information, lineage, quality, update frequency, possibly link to other documentation such as Data Product Specifications, Product sheets, etc). (weight 10)
    • Geo-search. Geographical extent must be specified.
    • Time-based search. Date of creation must be stated in metadata.
  • F3: Metadata clearly and explicitly include the identifier of the data they describe
    • Metadata should have a unique reference to the dataset. Datasets should not only be referred to by name, but also by the unique identifier (uuid) for the dataset. This must be entered in the metadata together with a namespace. (Datasets are defined with unique IDs in Geonorge's namespace register if they have entered dataset-IDs in metadata) (weight 20)
  • F4: (Meta)data are registered or indexed in a searchable resource
    • Metadata located in Geonorge is searchable through CSW API (OGC) and DCAT API (W3C). This makes metadata searchable through standardized APIs for the geodata industry, research and science and "open data" industry both nationally and internationally. (weight 20)
20%

Accessible: Datasets must be accessible through standardized and open interfaces.

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  • A1: Datasets are available through standard web protocols and open standardised services
    • It is checked whether the dataset has a "direct" download service (WFS, WCS, OpenDAP, OGC API Features or OGC API Coverages) (weight 20)
    • It is checked whether the dataset has a display service (WMS, WMTS, OGC API Maps, OGC API Styles or OGC API Tiles) (weight 20)
    • It is checked whether the dataset is available through the "Geonorge download api" (weight 5)
    • Checking if dataset is available as a download service for predefined datasets (Atom Feed) (weight 5)
    • It is checked whether the protocols that provide access to the datasets are openly accessible and readable with standard IT tools. Which we consider to be sufficient if one has provided a download URL with Https response or by offering one of the two APIs mentioned above (weight 50)
    • The protocol allows for an authentication and authorisation procedure, where necessary
  • A2: Metadata are accessible, even when the data are no longer available
50%

Interoperabel: The data usually need to be integrated with other data. In addition, the data need to interoperate with applications or workflows for analysis, storage, and processing.

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  • I1: Metadata and datasets are represented through international, well-documented and accessible standards.
    • Metadata for geodata must be established in accordance with the metadata standard ISO19115. (Metadata in Geonorge is based on the mentioned standard.) (weight 20)
    • The dataset is available in internationally recognized open formats. It is checked for GML, GeoJSON, JSON-FG, JSON-LD and GeoPackage for vector data or TIFF, JPEG, Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG) or Cloud Optimized Point Cloud (COPC) for raster data in addition to NetCDF (weight 40)
  • I2: Metadata and datasets shall use vocabularies, concepts and code lists and refer to searchable resources on the web that are managed with unique identifiers.
    • At least one thematic keyword must be entered from an official national or international vocabulary (e.g. GEMET (Inspire theme), NASA/GCMD (Global vocabulary with descriptions of scientific datasets and services) or LOS (National categorization of public services and resources)) (weight 10)
    • At least one National theme category must be filled in metadata to categorize the dataset in a national context (weight 10)
  • I3: (Meta)data include qualified references to other (meta)data
    • The data set must be in accordance with the stated product specification (weight 10)
    • The dataset must be modeled in UML and the metadata must refer to the UML model in Geonorge's object catalog (SOSI model register) (weight 5)
    • The dataset must be in accordance with the UML model in at least one of the delivered formats (weight 5)
85%

Reusable: The ultimate goal of FAIR is to optimise the reuse of data. To achieve this, metadata and data should be well-described so that they can be replicated and/or combined in different settings.

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  • R1.1: (Meta)data are released with a clear and accessible and resolvable data usage license
    • Licenses in the Geonorge register meet this requirement (weight 30)
    • Access rights must be specified (weight 5)
  • R1.2: Metadata about quality, coverage, processing, calculations, etc. must be provided.
    • Lineage must be provided with more than 200 characters (weight 10)
    • Update frequency must be specified in metadata (weight 5)
    • Link to Data Product Specification must exist in metadata(weight 10)
    • Scale for the dataset must be provided in the metadata(weight 5)v
    • Coverage map must be provided in the metadata (by municipality, grid or image/pdf) (weight 5)
    • Purpose must be provided in the metadata (weight 5)
    • Metadata contact must be provided (weight 5)
    • Technical contact must be provided (weight 5)
    • Coverage rate (proportion of mapped area in relation to the extent of the dataset) must be stated or completeness coverage map should be provided in metadata. (weight 5)
  • R1.3 (Meta)data meet domain-relevant community standards
    • Metadata must follow the standards: ISO19115 and DCAT-AP-NO (weight 5)
    • Data sets are delivered in international open formats. See Interoperability Requirement 1b (weight 5)

Mareano status

  • good
    Metadata

    For metadata quality to be good, metadata must be validated in Geonorge's metadata editor. This means that all required fields must be filled in. Otherwise, metadata is considered as usable if they exists.

  • deficient
    Product spesification

    In order to achieve good fulfilment of requirements, the metadata should link to an approved SOSI Data Product Specification for the dataset. Other referenced data product specifications may provide usable fulfilment of requirements. Otherwise, status will be deficient .

  • deficient
    SOSI requirement status

    In order to achieve good fulfilment of requirements, downloadable SOSI files must validate against the UML model in the Data Product Specification. It will be clear from the metadata whether SOSI files conform to the data product specification. If there are downloadable SOSI files, then it will qualify for usable fulfilment of requirements. Otherwise, status will be deficient .

  • deficient
    GML requirement status

    In order to achieve good fulfilment of requirements, downloadable GML files must validate against UML model in the Data Product Specification. (It will be clear from the metadata whether GML files comply with the data product specification.) If there are downloadable GML files, then it will qualify for usable fulfilment of requirements. Otherwise, status will be deficient .

  • good
    WMS status

    In order to achieve good fulfilment of requirements, the service must be linked to WMS service in metadata. Otherwise, status will be deficient .

  • deficient
    WFS status

    In order to achieve good fulfilment of requirements, the service must be linked to WFS service in metadata. Otherwise, status will be deficient .

  • deficient
    ATOM feed status

    In order to achieve good fulfilment of requirements, the dataset must be available through an atomic feed service registered in Geonorge. Otherwise, status will be deficient .

  • deficient
    Download requirements status

    If the dataset is provided through an atom feed or a WFS where requirements are well met, this will qualify for good fulfilment of requirements. If the dataset is only available as WFS with usable fulfilment of requirements, this qualifies for the grade usable . Otherwise, status will be deficient .

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