Consultation and testing
Phases of external consultation and testing of the
classification system have been essential to ensure the
classification is as robust and usable as possible.
The advice of external consultees has been important in two
key areas:
- Marine scientists have contributed expertise in their
understanding of the marine environment and its communities, both
from a generic perspective and with specific knowledge of
communities at particular sites around the country. Of particular
importance has been advice on the relationships of environmental
factors to community structure and the spatial and temporal
dynamics of the marine environment.
- Environmental and conservation managers and end-users have
helped define their end needs for the classification system. This
has been reflected both in terms of the overall structure of the
classification, such as the orientation of biotope complexes to
mapping and sensitivity needs, the type of information given in the
description of each classification type, and the demands of field
application.