Greenland 2026: Arctic Benthic Habitat Mapping

BENTHIC BIODIVERSITY, DETAILED OFFSHORE SITE SURVEY, INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION, SECURITY

Arctic benthic habitats during the Greenland 2026 scientific expedition

At 83°N, autonomous underwater robots captured centimetre-scale views of coastal ecosystems, creating a repeatable baseline to monitor biodiversity and ecosystem change.

As part of the Greenland 2026 Advocacy and Science Expedition, led by the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation, Cosma was invited to contribute its expertise in autonomous seabed mapping to help establish baseline datasets for futurebiodiversity assessment and long-term environmental monitoring.

*Cosma’s autonomous underwater vehicle deployed in Arctic waters to survey benthic habitats around drifting icebergs under extreme polar conditions.*

*Surveys beneath sea ice provided unique observations of rarely explored Arctic environments and ice-related underwater structures.*

Autonomous seabed mapping at 83°N

Operating from Le Commandant Charcot, Cosma deployed its lightweight autonomous underwater survey solution in coastal Arctic waters at approximately 83°N. Surveys were conducted from 2 to 100 metres depth despite demanding polar conditions, including drifting sea ice, sub-zero temperatures and remote logistics. The mission demonstrates how autonomous underwater robotics can deliver repeatable, high-resolution seabed surveys in marine environments that remain difficult to access with conventional methods.

*The expedition took place along the remote northern coast of Greenland, where rapidly changing polar environments remain among the least explored marine ecosystems on Earth.*

Mapping Arctic benthic biodiversity

The surveys covered a wide range of Arctic coastal environments. Shallow areas shaped by iceberg scouring included dense macroalgal communities, with kelp forests and Fucus spp. forming important habitats for marine biodiversity. Deeper surveys documented diverse benthic assemblages including sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp.), sea stars (Crossaster papposus), feather stars (Heliometra glacialis), brittle stars (Ophiopleura borealis) and encrusting coralline algae. Additional surveys beneath sea ice and around floating icebergs provided visual observations of rarely explored Arctic underwater environments.

*Shallow coastal habitats were characterised by extensive macroalgal communities, including kelp forests and Fucus spp., providing important habitats for Arctic marine biodiversity.*

Centimetre-scale photogrammetry and digital twins

Acquisition strategies were adapted to the characteristics and scientific objectives of each site, combining spiral surveys, linear transects and targeted inspections. Continuous georeferenced imagery was processed into centimetre-scale orthomosaics, detailed 2D and 3D digital twins and benthic habitat maps. These datasets provide a precise visual and spatial record of Arctic seabed ecosystems that can be revisited and compared during future surveys.

*Surveys documented diverse benthic assemblages, including feather stars (Heliometra glacialis), sea stars, brittle stars and other characteristic Arctic invertebrates.*

A baseline for monitoring Arctic ecosystem change

Beyond demonstrating the operational capability of autonomous underwater robotics under extreme polar conditions, Greenland 2026 illustrates the value of high-resolution seabed mapping for environmental monitoring. Repeatable digital baselines make it possible to document biodiversity, revisit the same habitats and detect ecological changes over time in rapidly evolving polar regions.

*The surveys also documented habitats dominated by encrusting coralline algae, an important ecological component of Arctic rocky seabeds.*

Location 83°N, Greenland.
Client Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation.
Objective Scientific research on poorly explored benthic ecosystems.
Environment Extreme Artic environments (sub-zero temperatures), drifting sea ice, complex logistics.
Highlight Efficient guidance below the ice.