Title:
Coral Reef and Hardbottom from Unified Florida Reef Tract Map (NODC Accession 0123059)
Abstract:
This dataset is a subset of the Unified Map representing Coral reef and Hardbottom areas. Version 1.1 - December 2013. The Unified Florida Reef Tract Map (Unified Reef Map) provides a consistent geospatial framework for management, monitoring, and characterization of the Florida reef tract from Martin County to the Dry Tortugas. The Unified Reef Map integrates existing benthic habitat maps of Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Counties, Biscayne National Park, Florida Bay, and the Florida Keys, including the Dry Tortugas. This map of the seafloor uses a Unified Classification (UC) system to provide a common and consistent picture of the entire area while retaining the original detailed information specific to different source maps. The UC contains five levels of seafloor classification detail providing flexibility in the scope of analysis. UC Level 0 is the coarsest classification level that provides a consistent view of the entire area. UC Level 4 retains full seafloor description details from source maps which are not necessarily consistent for all areas. Where mapping projects spatially overlap, data are edited to create a seamless and consistent transition. Existing seafloor classification values are also cross-walked to the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS).