The Ocean+ Habitat Atlas (or Atlas) aims to produce the first online, authoritative database on the known extent of ecologically-important ocean habitats, such as seagrasses, warm- and cold-water corals, mangroves and saltmarshes, and to update this database consistently over time. This will: (a) strengthen our ability to track progress towards multilateral environmental agreement targets; (b) support decision-making by stakeholders at multiple scales; and (c) identify priority areas for capacity development and management.

This user manual is an authoritative guide on the uses, and limitations of the Habitat layers used in the Ocean+ Habitat Atlas. It provides potential contributors clear guidance on the method of contribution and standards of the data contributed. The manual was developed in collaboration with governments, non-governmental organizations, individual experts, academia and industry.