Benthic invertebrates; habitat; underwater survey; species distribution models; model validation; invertebrate size structure; density; Eastern Bering Sea; Alaska

Species distribution modeling is a useful tool for informing ecosystems management. However, validation of model predictions through independent surveys is rarely attempted in marine environments, which are challenging to study and often contain sensitive habitats. We conducted an underwater camera survey of the eastern Bering Sea slope and outer shelf as an independent test of species distribution modeling of deep-sea corals, sponges and sea whips based on bottom trawl survey data.