Laurie Bauer, NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch
2010
Vieques, Puerto Rico Benthic Habitat Map - Ground Validation Sites
vector digital data
Silver Spring, MD
NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Please use citation for the written document "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" when using these data.
https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=76
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 Program
2010
Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico
document
Silver Spring, MD
NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
Bauer, L.J., M.S. Kendall, A.G. Zitello, and T. Battista. 2010. Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico. pp. 9-46. In: Bauer and Kendall (eds.), An Ecological Characterization of the Marine Resources of Vieques, Puerto Rico Part II: Field Studies of Habitats, Nutrients, Contaminants, Fish, and Benthic Communities. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 110. Silver Spring, MD. 174 pp.
Benthic habitat maps of the nearshore marine environment of Vieques, Puerto Rico were created by visual interpretation of remotely sensed imagery. The objective of this effort, conducted by NOAA's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment - Biogeography Branch in partnership with NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration, was to provide spatially-explicit information on the habitat types, biological cover and live coral cover of Vieques' coral reef ecosystem. The data described herein represent ground validation (GV) sites explored by NOAA field scientists to further refine habitat map classification.
The purpose of this survey data was to investigate areas of imagery where uncertainties existed on the photo interpreter's behalf during the decision making process of benthic habitat classification in Vieques. This information was incorporated into a fine-scale assessment of the status, abundance, and distribution of marine habitats of Vieques. The NOAA effort provides resource managers with increased technical capacity for ocean exploration, management, and stewardship. 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.
The creation of high-quality benthic habitat maps required extensive field work to enhance accuracies of habitat attribution and, to a lesser degree, habitat delineation. Data were collected on 137 ground validation sites over a two-week field mission from October 7-13, 2008 aboard a small research vessel.
20081007
20081013
ground condition
None planned
-65.627695
-65.338752
18.196053
18.067873
NCEI Geoportal FilterCoRIS_Metadata
None
coral reef
benthic habitats
reef
submerged aquatic vegetation
unconsolidated sediments
zone
geomorphological structure
biological cover
ground validation
point
ISO 19115 Topic Category
environment
007
biota
002
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
Geographic Information > Habitats
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Mapping > Habitat Mapping
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Habitats
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Coral Cover
None
United States
Puerto Rico
Vieques
CoRIS Place Thesaurus
OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea /North Atlantic Ocean > Puerto Rico > Vieques Island > Vieques Island (18N065W0002)
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Puerto Rico > Vieques > Vieques Island (18N065W0002)
CoRIS Region
PR
None
Not for navigation.
Laurie J. Bauer
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
Marine Ecologist/Primary Map Creator
mailing and physical address
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring
MD
20910
301-713-3028
301-713-4384
laurie.bauer@noaa.gov
0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST
Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.0.1770
The points in this thematic data layer were acquired by GPS data using a Trimble GeoXT receiver with a customized data dictionary designed to reflect the habitat classification scheme described in "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" (Bauer et al. 2010). All habitat determinations were made in the field by trained NOAA scientists, recorded in the GPS data logger and seamlessly transferred to ArcGIS shapefiles using Trimble Pathfinder Office software. Attributes are all expected to be correct.
Data points with accompanying attribute information were collected with mapping-grade GPS receivers. The data were post processed for differential correction to the Continually Operating Reference System (CORS) station at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (VITH). Site information was recorded in the field both in a data dictionary within the GPS receiver and on waterproof field sheets. A comparison between soft and hard copy data records were completed to ensure attribute collection consistency.
Furthermore, underwater video was recorded at each site to maintain a record of habitat condition. This video was reviewed by NOAA staff in the office to ensure correct habitat attribution was made in the field.
All errors were identified through these quality assurance techniques and corrected. This file is believed to be logically consistent.
137 field positions were occupied and habitat characterizations were conducted for ground validation during this work. These data were included in the mapping dataset as a GIS layer and the draft habitat map was edited based on this ground condition. All areas where uncertainty existed on the part of the photo interpreter during habitat delineation were investigated in the field. All data were collected and integrated into the mapped products as planned.
The true positional accuracy of individual epics was determined to be within 1 m for 96% of the logged points. For each survey site, individual epics were averaged to generate a mean GPS point for each location.
NOAA
2008
GPS Data
GPS data
2008
ground condition
Trimble SSF files
GPS data, which were originally recorded as code-phase signals in Trimble SSF format, were differentially post-processed to the Continually Operating Reference System (CORS) station at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (VITH).
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" (GV) positions.
2008
Laurie J. Bauer
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
Marine Ecologist/Primary Map Creator
mailing and physical address
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring
MD
20910
301-713-3028
301-713-4384
laurie.bauer@noaa.gov
0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST
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 (primary method), free diving, snorkeling and surface observations were used to survey the ecological characteristics at each location.
At the start of every morning, the boat captain selected a general region to begin the day's work. Navigating to field locations was accomplished using a Garmin GPS 76 device with the uploaded GV site coordinates. The boat captain maneuvered the vessel to within 5 m of the target location and made every effort to maintain that location without jeopardizing crew and equipment safety. Once on site, NOAA scientists would simultaneously deploy a SeaViewer Sea-Drop 950 camera and begin logging a waypoint on a Trimble GeoXT GPS receiver.While the video camera was capturing bottom imagery, an observer viewed the video real-time on a Panasonic Toughbook aboard the survey vessel. They categorized each site according to the levels of the habitat classification scheme: major and detailed geomorphological structure, major biological cover, percent major biological cover and percent coral cover. Data was entered into a custom data dictionary generated in Trimble Pathfinder Office software and loaded onto the Trimble data logger.
2008
Laurie J. Bauer
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
Marine Ecologist/Primary Map Creator
mailing and physical address
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring
MD
20910
301-713-3028
301-713-4384
laurie.bauer@noaa.gov
0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST
Trimble Pathfinder Office software was used to post process and differentially correct the raw GPS data to the Continually Operating Reference System (CORS) station at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (VITH).
2008
Tim Battista
NOAA National Ocean Service
Researcher
mailing and physical
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring
MD
20910
USA
(301) 713-3028 x171
(301) 713-4388
Tim.Battista@noaa.gov
Precisely positioned GPS positions and its associated classification data were viewed in a GIS to enhance the accuracy of the draft benthic habitat map. Polygon boundaries and habitat classifications were revised where field data necessitated changes.
Unknown
Laurie J. Bauer
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
Marine Ecologist/Primary Map Creator
mailing and physical address
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring
MD
20910
301-713-3028
301-713-4384
laurie.bauer@noaa.gov
0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST
Vector
Entity Point
137
Universal Transverse Mercator
20
0.999600
-63.000000
0.000000
500000.000000
0.000000
Coordinate Pair
0.000001
0.000001
meters
WGS_1984
Geodetic Reference System 80
6378137.000000
298.257224
Vieques Ground Validation Sites
Shapefile attribute table
None
FID
Internal feature number.
ESRI
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Shape
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Coordinates defining the features.
Site_ID
Unique identifier for each ground validation site
None
Arbitrarily defined unique code
Specific to this field mission
Date_
Date of site visit and data collection
None
2008 October 7
2008 October 13
Time
Time of site visit and data collection
None
06:00:00am
06:00:00pm
Type
Purpose of data collection
None
GV
Ground Validation
None
Assessment
Method used to obtain habitat characterization information
None
Drop Camera
SeaViewer Sea-Drop 950 underwater camera
None
Snorkel
NOAA scientist visually characterized habitat by free diving or surface swimming with a mask and snorkel
None
Other
Any other assessment technique, including inspection from the vessel deck with a "look bucket" or binoculars
None
Maj_Struct
Major Geomorphological Structure
Refer to "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" (Bauer et al. 2010)
Unknown
Det_Struct
Detailed Geomorphological Structure
Refer to "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" (Bauer et al. 2010)
Unknown
Maj_Cover
Major Biological Cover
Refer to "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" (Bauer et al. 2010)
Unknown
P_Maj_Cov
Percent Patchiness of Major Biological Cover
Refer to "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" (Bauer et al. 2010)
Unknown
P_Coral_Cv
Percent Cover of Live Coral
Refer to "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" (Bauer et al. 2010)
Unknown
Specific details of the attributes and values therein can be found in "Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico" (Bauer et al. 2010)
Bauer, L.J., M.S. Kendall, A.G. Zitello, and T. Battista. 2010. Benthic Habitats of Vieques, Puerto Rico. pp. 9-46. In: Bauer and Kendall (eds.), An Ecological Characterization of the Marine Resources of Vieques, Puerto Rico Part II: Field Studies of Habitats, Nutrients, Contaminants, Fish, and Benthic Communities. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 110. Silver Spring, MD. 174 pp.
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 Program
mailing and physical address
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring
MD
20910
301-713-3028
301-713-4384
laurie.bauer@noaa.gov
0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST
Downloadable Data
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is publishing this data on their website. 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.
ESRI Shapefile
0.012
https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=76
None
Contact NOAA for distribution options (see Distributor).
20200329
20100622
Laurie J. Bauer
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
Marine Ecologist/Primary Map Creator
mailing and physical address
1305 East West Highway
Silver Spring
MD
20910
301-713-3028
301-713-4384
laurie.bauer@noaa.gov
0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998
Local Time
http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
ESRI Metadata Profile
http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
ESRI Metadata Profile
http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
ESRI Metadata Profile
http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
ESRI Metadata Profile
20100622054632
None
20081007
20081013
https://www.coris.noaa.gov/metadata/records/html/metadata_vieques_ground_validation_sites.html
4931