Geomorphometry, the science of quantitative terrain characterization, has traditionally focused on the investigation of terrestrial landscapes. However, the dramatic increase in the availability of digital bathymetric data and the increasing ease by which geomorphometry can be investigated using geographic information systems (GISs) and spatial analysis software has prompted interest in employing geomorphometric techniques to investigate the marine environment. Over the last decade or so, a multitude of geomorphometric techniques (e.g. terrain attributes, feature extraction, automated classification) have been applied to characterize seabed terrain from the coastal zone to the deep sea. Geomorphometric techniques are, however, not as varied, nor as extensively applied, in marine as they are in terrestrial environments. This is at least partly due to difficulties associated with capturing, classifying, and validating terrain characteristics underwater. There is, nevertheless, much common ground between terrestrial and marine geomorphometry applications and it is important that, in developing marine geomorphometry, we learn from experiences in terrestrial studies. However, not all terrestrial solutions can be adopted by marine geomorphometric studies since the dynamic, four-dimensional (4-D) nature of the marine environment causes its own issues throughout the geomorphometry workflow. For instance, issues with underwater positioning, variations in sound velocity in the water column affecting acoustic-based mapping, and our inability to directly observe and measure depth and morphological features on the seafloor are all issues specific to the application of geomorphometry in the marine environment. Such issues fuel the need for a dedicated scientific effort in marine geomorphometry.This review aims to highlight the relatively recent growth of marine geomorphometry as a distinct discipline, and offers the first comprehensive overview of marine geomorphometry to date. We address all the five main steps of geomorphometry, from data collection to the application of terrain attributes and features. We focus on how these steps are relevant to marine geomorphometry and also highlight differences and similarities from terrestrial geomorphometry. We conclude with recommendations and reflections on the future of marine geomorphometry. To ensure that geomorphometry is used and developed to its full potential, there is a need to increase awareness of (1) marine geomorphometry amongst scientists already engaged in terrestrial geomorphometry, and of (2) geomorphometry as a science amongst marine scientists with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

This research presents an object‐oriented technique for habitat classification at different segmentation levels based on the use of imagery from an Edgetech 272 side scan sonar. We investigate the success of object parameters such as shape and size as well as texture in discriminating reef from sand habitat. The results are evaluated using traditional digitization, based on visual assessment of the sidescan imagery, and video transects. Whereas the application of traditional pixel‐based classification results in a pixelized (salt and pepper) representation of habitat distribution, the object‐based classification technique results in habitat objects (raster or vector). The object‐oriented classification results are cross‐validated using confusion matrices in image classification software and error matrices from underwater video transects showing an overall accuracy of 80% based on two classes within the image at three segmentation levels and an overall accuracy of 60% based on three classes at two segmentation levels. This is compared with the digitized layer accuracy of 81% for two classes and 72% for three classes, and this demonstrates the successful application of object‐oriented methods for habitat mapping. This technique retains spatially discrete habitat pattern information in a classified vector shape file with methods that are automated, repeatable, objective, and capable of processing many sidescan records in a more efficient manner.