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This study aims to estimate, model and map the spatial differences of ecosystem functioning expressed by community bioturbation potential (BPc), an indicator of benthic faunal function based on bioturbation, in the German part of the Baltic Sea. The usefulness of bioturbation potential calculations was justified by its moderate but significant correlation with estimates of bioturbation rates derived from diagenetic models fitted to the in situ measured sediment depth profiles of naturally-occurring chlorophyll-a tracer. Seasonal and interannual variations of BPc were assessed and key species contributing to bioturbation in the study area were identified. To generate the most accurate map of BPc and to investigate its predictability based on abiotic parameters, we have tested 3 different methodological approaches: i) benthic macrofauna community bioturbation potential was initially calculated per station and treated as …