Seabed Classification in Bahía de Navidad in the Mexican Central Pacific using Single-Beam Acoustics

Abstract This study proposed a methodology for characterizing subtidal habitats along rocky coastlines and adjacent seabeds in the epipelagic zone using a 120 kHz single-beam echo sounder (SBES). The data collected at depths of 15 to 80 m in Bahía de Navidad on the Mexican Central Pacific coast were postprocessed and classified using QTC Impact™ software to obtain three acoustic classes. Using the classified data and ArcMap™ software, a bathymetric map was built for the selection of 19 sampling points for ground truthing and granulometric analysis to create a matrix further subjected to two ordination analyses: principal component analysis (PCA) and nonmetric multivariate scaling analysis (MDS). Additionally, the matrix was adapted into a dummy matrix, which was subsequently used to conduct a Pearson correlation coefficient test. The analyses revealed a strong correlation between the medium-deep-zone acoustic class (20 m to 50 m) and the medium-grain-size sand substrate, as well as a high correlation between the deep-zone acoustic class (50 to 80 m) and finer sand substrates. This study demonstrated the potential of using affordable echosounders as a reliable and feasible alternative for characterizing marine habitats, especially for research institutions in developing countries with limited financial resources.