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The present work applies novel methodologies to the study of sublittoral benthic biotopes, by combining the information given by underwater acoustic and biological survey techniques. The acoustic seabed classification system QTC VIEW™ was used to map the acoustic diversity between 5 and 40 m water depth on the shelf off “Ria de Aveiro”, Western coast of Portugal. Ground-truth was undertaken using an analysis of superficial sediments grain-size, and compared to the species composition and distribution of macrofaunal communities. Sedimentary and biological data were submitted to ordination analysis, and the acoustic data to both ordination and cluster analysis. The acoustic classes identified were mapped using a geographical information system. The acoustic results showed a very clear geographic pattern, with the acoustic classification being coincident where survey lines crossed, confirming the …