Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title: Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico
Abstract:
Shallow-water (<30m) benthic habitat maps of the nearshore marine environment of two areas in Southwest Puerto Rico (PR), including the Guanica Bay/La Parguera region on the south coast and the Belvedere reserve on the west coast, were mapped and characterized using visual interpretation of optical and acoustic remotely sensed imagery. The objective was to provide spatially-explicit information on the habitat types, biological cover and live coral cover of the region’s coral reef ecosystem. These maps will be used to support marine resource management and conservation in the Commonwealth. In addition, the maps will enable change detection in an assessment of the effectiveness of restoration activities on the condition of adjacent coral reef ecosystems.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Branch, NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography, 2012, Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico: NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Silver Spring, MD.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Please use citation for “Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico.”
    This is part of the following larger work.

    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch, 2012, Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Silver Spring, MD.

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Bauer, L.J., K. Edwards, K.K.W. Roberson, M.S. Kendall, S. Tormey, and T. Battista. 2012. Shallow-water benthic habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA NOS NCCOS 155. Silver Spring, MD.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -67.4
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -66.8
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.1
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.9
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: Jan-2010
    Ending_Date: Mar-2012
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • G-polygon (3258)
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 19
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -63.000000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000
      False_Easting: 500000.000000
      False_Northing: 0.000000
      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000001
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000001
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters
      The horizontal datum used is GCS_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Attribute Table for Benthic Habitat Map of Southwest PR
    Shapefile attribute table (Source: None)
    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI) Coordinates defining the features.
    UniqueID
    A distinct identifier used to define each unique combination of habitat characteristics (Source: NOAA)
    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Specific code used for NOAA coral reef habitat maps
    Codeset Source:Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report
    Area
    Calculated feature area in square kilometers (Source: NOAA) Area of feature in square kilometers.
    Zone
    Geographic zone (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Assigned during digitizing character field
    M_Struct
    Major geomorphological structure (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    D_Struct
    Detailed geomorphological structure (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    P_Hard
    Percent hardbottom (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    M_Cover
    Major biological cover (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    P_Cover
    Percent cover of major biological cover (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    P_Coral
    Percent Cover of Live Coral (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    Cover
    Concatenation of Major Biological Cover and Percent Major Biological Cover (Source: Habitat classification scheme) Described in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Specific details of the attributes and values therein can be found in the "Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico" report.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: NOAA

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Laurie Bauer
    Project Manager
    1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
    Silver Spring, MD
    USA

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov

Why was the data set created?

This product provides a fine-scale assessment of the status, abundance, and distribution of marine habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico. Direct implications to management measures include evaluation of management efficacy, a spatial framework for improved monitoring sampling design, improved assessment of human-use impacts, and marine spatial planning to support alternative marine protected area boundary alternatives. In addition, the maps will enable change detection in an assessment of the effectiveness of restoration activities on the condition of adjacent coral reef ecosystems.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico (source 1 of 4)
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch, 2012, Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico: NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Silver Spring, MD.

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Bauer, L.J., K.E. Edwards, K.K. Roberson, M.S. Kendall, S. Tormey, and T. Battista. Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of Southwest Puerto Rico.
    Type_of_Source_Media: report
    Source_Contribution:
    This section of the report describes the habitat classification scheme used to classify habitat features. The Southwest PR habitat classification scheme defines benthic communities on the basis of five primary coral reef ecosystem attributes: 1) broad geographic zone, 2) geomorphological structure type, 3) dominant biological cover, 4) degree of live coral cover, and 5) percent hardbottom.
    NOAA Habitat Digitizer Extension (source 2 of 4)
    Buja, Ken, 2009, NOAA Habitat Digitizer Extension: NOAA's Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Silver Spring, MD.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    NOAA. 2009. Habitat Digitizer Extension. NOAA Biogeography Branch. Silver Spring, MD. Available: https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=203
    Type_of_Source_Media: computer program
    Source_Contribution:
    This ArcGIS extension was used to digitize and attribute benthic zones, structure and biological cover of this map.
    GeoEye satellite imagery (source 3 of 4)
    GeoEye, 2010, GeoEye Satellite Imagery: Space Imaging Inc., Thornton, CO.

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This imagery was obtained at a 1.65 pixel resolution, deglinted and pan sharpened.
    Type_of_Source_Media: raster digital data
    Source_Contribution: Used to identify and digitize benthic habitats of Southwest PR.
    Orthophotography (source 4 of 4)
    3001, Inc., 2007, Orthophotography: 3001, Inc., 401 Dividend Drive, Suite K, Peachtree City, GA 30269.

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Imagery acquired on contract to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Type_of_Source_Media: raster digital data
    Source_Contribution: Used to identify and digitize benthic habitats of Southwest PR.
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2010 (process 1 of 6)
    1) Imagery Acquisition - The first step in map creation was the acquisition and processing of a comprehensive dataset of remotely sensed imagery. All imagery was geo-positioned to ensure acceptable spatial accuracy in the mapping product. Two separate data types were used (color orthophotography and GeoEye satellite imagery) in order to capture the full mappable extent using optical techniques. The GeoEye imagery was the primary imagery source. Person who carried out this activity:
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Tim Battista
    1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
    Silver Spring, MD
    USA

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    Tim.Battista@noaa.gov
    Date: 2011 (process 2 of 6)
    2) Habitat Boundary Delineation - A first draft benthic habitat map was generated by delineating all features that could be identified by visual inspection of the remotely sensed imagery. During the creation of this first draft, the interpreter placed discrete points on the map that were difficult to distinguish and that warranted further field investigation. These sites were labeled as "ground validation" positions. Person who carried out this activity:
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Laurie Bauer
    1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
    Silver Spring, MD
    USA

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov
    Date: 2011 (process 3 of 6)
    3) Ground Validation - NOAA field scientists explored the ground validation locations with a suite of assessment techniques depending on the conditions at each site. A combination of underwater video, free diving, snorkeling and surface observations were used to survey the ecological characteristics at each location. This information was analyzed and the initial maps were edited to generate a second draft map. Person who carried out this activity:
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Laurie Bauer
    1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
    Silver Spring, MD
    USA

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov
    Date: 2011 (process 4 of 6)
    4) Expert Review - The draft map was then reviewed by local marine biologists, coral reef scientists and resource managers. Comments were integrated into the map products to generate a final draft map. Person who carried out this activity:
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Laurie Bauer
    1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
    Silver Spring, MD
    USA

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov
    Date: 2011 (process 5 of 6)
    5) Accuracy Assessment - An independent team of NOAA scientists not associated with map creation, conducted field investigations at pre-defined locations to assess the accuracy of the final draft map. Locations were generated with a stratified random sampling design that allowed for a statistically rigorous assessment of map accuracy. Person who carried out this activity:
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Matt Kendall
    1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
    Silver Spring, MD
    USA

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    Matt.Kendall@noaa.gov
    Date: 2012 (process 6 of 6)
    6) Final Products Creation - A final benthic habitat map for Southwest PR was generated following the expert review. Additionally, all associated datasets, including GIS files, field video and metadata were packaged and provided to project partners and the public. Person who carried out this activity:
    Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Laurie Bauer
    1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
    Silver Spring, MD
    USA

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Results of an accuracy assessment are described in accompanying report.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    The accuracy value for the optical imagery was determined by measuring photo-identifiable control points collected with GPS survey methods. There is no horizontal accuracy report for the acoustic imagery. It is believed that polygon horizontal accuracies are inherited from both types of source imagery.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    None.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Delineation of all habitat boundaries was conducted with the image scale at 1:3,000. This ensured that the level of detail produced by the photo interpreter was uniform throughout the project. The minimum mapping unit (MMU) for identifying habitats or features was 1,000 square meters. The software utilized in this project was designed to alert the photo interpreter each time a polygon was drawn smaller than the a MMU; at which point the polygon was then aggregated with the most logical adjacent polygon.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    GIS topologic quality was established by executing ArcGIS extension routines that check for: overlapping polygons, multipart polygons, sliver polygons and void polygons. Additionally checks for adjacent polygons with the same habitat attributes were completed. All errors were identified and corrected. This file is believed to be logically consistent.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints: Please cite any use of this data.
Use_Constraints:
Note: NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.

These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Any views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Although all data have been used by NOAA, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by NOAA as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by NOAA in the use of these data or related materials.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
    Attn: Laurie Bauer
    1305 East West Highway
    Silver Spring, MD

    (301) 713-3028 (voice)
    (301) 713-4384 (FAX)
    Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)Biogeography Branch does not guarantee the accuracy of the geographic features or attributes. Please see the written report and metadata records for each data set for complete information on the source, limitations, and proper use.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
  5. Is there some other way to get the data?
    Contact NOAA for distribution options (see Distributor).

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 29-Mar-2020
Metadata author:
Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), Biogeography Branch
Attn: Laurie Bauer
1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor
Silver Spring, MD
USA

(301) 713-3028 (voice)
Laurie.Bauer@noaa.gov
Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Generated by mp version 2.9.48 on Tue Apr 23 11:00:46 2024