Dear Colleagues,

Marine geomorphology and habitat mapping have recently aroused the scientific community’s interest, especially thanks to technological improvements that allowed the acquisition of high-resolution seabed data (i.e., through acoustic systems and bathymetric LiDAR) supporting geomorphological and ecosystem research through the employment of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods. Marine geomorphology and habitat mapping are strongly related; especially, seabed geomorphology has been demonstrated to have a remarkable control on ecological processes and associated biota and can act as a proxy of benthic habitats and ecosystems. The research in these areas contributes to the monitoring of geomorphological processes and changes of the seafloor, as well as changes to the distribution of biological communities and species diversity. Marine geomorphology and habitat mapping have also become of high interest among decision-makers because of their high support in maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal zone management, and the management of marine resources.

The aim of this Special Issue of Water is to collect works investigating seabed geomorphology, through both qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as those on mapping, modelling, and monitoring benthic habitat distributions, extensions, and spatial changes. We invite any contributions addressing all aspects of marine geomorphology and its applications, such as geomorphological mapping, landscape changes due to sea level oscillations, geoarchaeology, and geohazards modelling. Additionally, research related to any aspects of habitat mapping and its applications is welcome, including habitats from coast to deep sea, new techniques of habitat mapping and modelling, the role of oceanographic variables and hydrodynamics in habitat mapping, climate change impacts on benthic habitats, and maritime spatial planning within an ecosystem-based approach. Both research manuscripts and technical reviews are welcome.

Dr. Federica Foglini
Dr. Mariacristina Prampolini
Guest Editors

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• Geomorphological mapping
• Habitat mapping
• Submarine remote sensing
• Multibeam
• Side-scan sonar
• Bathymetric LiDAR
• GIS
• Spatial analysis
• Marine geomorphometry
• Underwater acoustics
• Classification methods