St. John Shallow Water Accuracy Assessment Sites

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information
• CoRIS

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Laurie Bauer, NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch

Publication_Date: 2009

Title: St. John Shallow Water Accuracy Assessment Sites

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Silver Spring, MD

Publisher:

NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)

Other_Citation_Details:

Please use citation for the written document "Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" when using these data.

Online_Linkage: https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=205

Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

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

Publication_Date: 2009

Title: Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Silver Spring, MD

Publisher: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Other_Citation_Details:

Zitello, A.G., L.J. Bauer, T.A. Battista, P.W. Mueller and M.S. Kendall. 2009. Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 96. 50 pp.

Description:

Abstract:

Benthic habitat maps of the nearshore marine environment of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands 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 the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), was to provide spatially-explicit information on the habitat types, biological cover and live coral cover of St. John's coral reef ecosystem. The data described herein represent accuracy assessment (AA) sites explored by NOAA field scientists to evaluate the thematic accuracy of the benthic habitat maps of St. John.

Purpose:

The purpose of this survey data was to collect information on current habitat conditions at random locations throughout the mapping area. Locations were determined by an iterative, GIS-based, stratified random sampling technique to ensure that all bottom classifications would be assessed. This information was used to evaluate the thematic accuracy of the St. John benthic habitat map.

Supplemental_Information:

Data were collected on 486 ground validation sites over a two-week field mission from February 9-20, 2009 aboard U.S. National Park Service small research vessels. Based on guidelines from other recent NOAA accuracy assessment analyses (Battista et al. 2007), a minimum of 25 points were assigned to each of the 13 detailed structure classes within the draft habitat map. An additional 175 points were distributed based on the proportion of area of each structure class in the map. Several pre-selected sites were inaccessible by field scientists or were not classified due to visibility restrictions.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20090209

Ending_Date: 20090220

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.839362

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.645725

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.373507

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.297224

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NCEI Geoportal Filter

Theme_Keyword: CoRIS_Metadata

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Theme Thesaurus

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus

Theme_Keyword: Geographic Information > Habitats

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: coral reef

Theme_Keyword: benthic habitats

Theme_Keyword: reef

Theme_Keyword: submerged aquatic vegetation

Theme_Keyword: unconsolidated sediments

Theme_Keyword: zone

Theme_Keyword: geomorphological structure

Theme_Keyword: biological cover

Theme_Keyword: accuracy assessment

Theme_Keyword: point

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

Theme_Keyword: environment

Theme_Keyword: 007

Theme_Keyword: imageryBaseMapsEarthCover

Theme_Keyword: 010

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Place_Keyword: United States

Place_Keyword: U. S. Virgin Islands

Place_Keyword: St. John

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Place Thesaurus

Place_Keyword:

COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > U. S. Virgin Islands > St. John > St. John (18N064W0011)

Place_Keyword:

OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Virgin Islands > Virgin Islands > St. John (18N064W0011)

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Region

Place_Keyword: USVI

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints: Not for navigation.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Tim Battista

Contact_Organization: NOAA National Ocean Service

Contact_Position: Researcher

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 1305 East West Highway

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (301) 713-3028 x171

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (301) 713-4388

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Tim.Battista@noaa.gov

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.0.1770

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

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 St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" (Zitello et al. 2009). 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.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

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.

Completeness_Report:

486 field positions were occupied and habitat characterizations were conducted for accuracy assessment during this work. These data were plotted in concert with remotely sensed imagery to assess the benthic habitat classifications at random locations throughoout the map. Further analysis was conducted to calculate a suite of thematic accuracy assessment metrics and is described in Zitello et al. (2009).

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

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.

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: NOAA

Publication_Date: 2009

Title: GPS data

Type_of_Source_Media: GPS data

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2009

Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Trimble SSF files

Source_Contribution:

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).

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

A benthic habitat map was generated from delineating features by visual inspection of remotely sensed imagery and incorporation of field data acquired during a ground validation mission. Target locations for the accuracy assessment of this habitat map were determined by an iterative, GIS-based, stratified random sampling technique to ensure that all bottom classifications would be assessed. Based on guidelines from other recent accuracy assessment analyses (Battista et al. 2007), a minimum of 25 points were assigned to each of the 13 detailed structure classes within the draft habitat map. An additional 175 points were distributed based on the proportion of area of each structure class in the map. Points were randomly placed within each class using Hawth's Analysis Tools (Beyer 2004) in ArcGIS at a minimum distance of 50 m apart. Next, the number of points that fell within each detailed primary cover class was calculated. Where necessary, additional points were randomly added and re-distributed from classes with many points to ensure that there was a minimum of 25 points within each detailed cover class.

Process Dates: 2008-2009

Process_Date: 2009

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Laurie Bauer

Contact_Organization: NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: physical address

Address: 1305 East West Highway

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Country: U.S.A.

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (301) 713 - 3028

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

NOAA field scientists explored the accuracy assessment 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.

Process_Date: 2009

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Laurie Bauer

Contact_Organization: NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: physical address

Address: 1305 East West Highway

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Country: U.S.A.

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (301) 713 - 3028

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

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).

Process_Date: 2009

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Tim Battista

Contact_Organization: NOAA National Ocean Service

Contact_Position: Researcher

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 1305 East West Highway

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (301) 713-3028 x171

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (301) 713-4388

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Tim.Battista@noaa.gov

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Ultimately, precisely positioned GPS positions and the associated classification data were viewed in a GIS to assess the accuracy of the draft benthic habitat map.

Process_Date: 2009

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Laurie Bauer

Contact_Organization: NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: physical address

Address: 1305 East West Highway

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Country: U.S.A.

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (301) 713 - 3028

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity Point

Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 486

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Grid_Coordinate_System:

Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

UTM_Zone_Number: 20

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_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: Coordinate Pair

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 0.000001

Ordinate_Resolution: 0.000001

Planar_Distance_Units: meters

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: St. John Accuracy Assessment Sites

Entity_Type_Definition: Shapefile attribute table

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: None

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: FID

Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape

Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Site_ID

Attribute_Definition: Unique identifier for each accuracy assessment site

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Codeset_Domain:

Codeset_Name: Arbitrarily defined unique code

Codeset_Source: Specific to this field mission

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Date_

Attribute_Definition: Date of site visit and data collection

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2009 February 9

Range_Domain_Maximum: 2009 February 20

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Time

Attribute_Definition: Time of site visit and data collection

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 06:00:00am

Range_Domain_Maximum: 06:00:00pm

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Type

Attribute_Definition: Purpose of data collection

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: AA

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Accuracy Assessment

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Assessment

Attribute_Definition: Method used to obtain habitat characterization information

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Drop Camera

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: SeaViewer Sea-Drop 950 underwater camera

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Snorkel

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

NOAA scientist visually characterized habitat by free diving or surface swimming with a mask and snorkel

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Other

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Any other assessment technique, including inspection from the vessel deck with a "look bucket" or binoculars

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Maj_Struct

Attribute_Definition: Major Geomorphological Structure

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Refer to Chapter 1: Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme of "Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" (Zitello et al. 2009)

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Det_Struct

Attribute_Definition: Detailed Geomorphological Structure

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Refer to Chapter 1: Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme of "Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" (Zitello et al. 2009)

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Maj_Cover

Attribute_Definition: Major Biological Cover

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Refer to Chapter 1: Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme of "Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" (Zitello et al. 2009)

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: P_Maj_Cov

Attribute_Definition: Percent Patchiness of Major Biological Cover

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Refer to Chapter 1: Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme of "Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" (Zitello et al. 2009)

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: P_Coral_Cv

Attribute_Definition: Percent Cover of Live Coral

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Refer to Chapter 1: Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme of "Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" (Zitello et al. 2009)

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Specific details of the attributes and values therein can be found in Chapter 1: Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme of "Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands" (Zitello et al. 2009).

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

Zitello, A.G., L.J. Bauer, T.A. Battista, P.W. Mueller and M.S. Kendall. 2009. Benthic Habitats of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 96. 50 pp.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

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

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 1305 East West Highway

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 301-713-3028 x171

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 301-713-4384

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: tim.battista@noaa.gov

Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST

Resource_Description: Downloadable Data

Distribution_Liability:

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.

Custom_Order_Process: Contact NOAA for distribution options (see Distributor).

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20200329

Metadata_Review_Date: 20100315

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

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

Contact_Position: Primary Map Creator

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 1305 East West Highway

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 301-713-3028

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 301-713-4384

Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: Local Time

CoRIS:

CoRIS_ID: 20100315011406

CoRIS_Children: None

CoRIS_Beginning_Date: 20090209

CoRIS_Ending_Date: 20090220

CoRIS_Metadata_Link:

https://www.coris.noaa.gov/metadata/records/html/metadata_aa_data_shallowater_sites.html

CoRIS_Tracking_ID: 4508