St. John Benthic Habitat Mapping - Moderate Depth Ground Validation Sites (Mean Locations)

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: Bryan Costa, NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch

Publication_Date: 2009

Title:

St. John Benthic Habitat Mapping - Moderate Depth Ground Validation Sites (Mean Locations)

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 "Moderate-Depth 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 habitats of the moderate-depth marine environment in and around the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument were mapped using a combination of semi-automated classification and visual interpretation of acoustic 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 moderate-depth habitat types, biological cover and live coral cover south of St. John. The data contained in this shapefile represent the mean locations of the 117 ground validation (GV) sites explored by NOAA field scientists to further refine habitat map classification. Considering vessel drift during habitat characterization, the entire evaluation period was most accurately represented by a series of GPS points logged at five-second intervals.

Purpose:

Extensive field work is needed to create high-quality benthic habitat maps because it enhances the accuracy of habitat attribution and (to a lesser degree) habitat delineation. Given the importance of field work, the primary purpose of this survey data was to explore and verify existing habitat information on the seafloor. In particular, these ground validation locations were targeted by the cartographer to satisfy the following objectives:

1. Explore features in the imagery with unknown or confusing acoustic signatures 2. Confirm that the habitat type correlated with a particular acoustic signature remained consistent throughout the entire study area.

This information was incorporated into a fine-scale assessment of the status, abundance, and distribution of moderate-depth marine habitats of St. John. The NOAA effort provides the U.S. National Park Service 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.

Supplemental_Information:

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 117 ground validation sites during several different field missions between 1/5/2009 - 6/7/2009 aboard U.S. National Park Service small research vessels. As anchoring at each site was not feasible for rapid assessment, wind and wave effects caused the survey vessel to drift along a transect. Post-processing of the GPS data allowed for a series of points to represent the actual survey location.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20090105

Beginning_Time: unknown

Ending_Date: 20090607

Ending_Time: unknown

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.788768

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.664479

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.312230

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.238926

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: ground validation

Theme_Keyword: transect

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

Theme_Keyword: imageryBaseMapsEarthCover

Theme_Keyword: 010

Theme_Keyword: environment

Theme_Keyword: 007

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: Bryan Costa

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_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 1305 East West Highway, N-SCI-1, SSMC 4, 9th Floor

City: Silver Spring

State_or_Province: MD

Postal_Code: 20910

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 301-713-3028 x146

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 301-713-4384

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: bryan.costa@noaa.gov

Hours_of_Service: 0800 - 1700, Monday to Friday, EST

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.1850

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

The points in this data layer were acquired by GPS data using a Trimble GeoXT receiver. All data point characteristics were recorded in the GPS data logger automatically and seamlessly transferred to ArcGIS shapefiles using Trimble Pathfinder Office software. Attributes are all expected to be correct.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Data points 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).

All attribute information was recorded by the GPS receiver and stored directly in the raw GPS files. This automated process was assumed to be error free. This file is believed to be logically consistent.

Completeness_Report:

117 field positions were occupied and habitat characterizations were conducted for ground validation during this work.

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. However, it is estimated that horizontal accuracies may be 0 - 20m from the true position of the underwater camera assessment due to line "lay-back" during drift.

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 first draft benthic habitat map was generated using edge detection algorithms to delineate features on the seafloor with discrete acoustic signatures. During the creation of this first draft map, the cartographer placed discrete points on features in the map that had unknown acoustic signatures. Points were also placed on features with known acoustic signatures (evenly distributed throughout the geographic extent of the map) to confirm that the habitats associated with these signatures remained consistent through the area of interest. These two types of points were labeled as "ground validation" sites and were visited in the field.

Process_Date: 2009

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

NOAA scientists explored these ground validation locations using a manually operated drop camera. The resulting GPS and video information was processed, analyzed and used to train the classification algorithm that was used to generate the second draft map. 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_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_Step:

Process_Description:

Precisely positioned GPS positions and its associated transects 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.

Process_Date: 2009

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: 117

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: 298.257222

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: GVData_ModerateDepth_SitesMean

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: Source

Attribute_Definition: The mission during which the site was visited

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Site_Type

Attribute_Definition: Type of site (i.e., GV or AA)

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Site_ID

Attribute_Definition: Unique site ID

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: VideoName

Attribute_Definition: Name of video associated with a site

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Xcoord

Attribute_Definition: X coordinate of the site in decimal degrees

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Variable

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ycoord

Attribute_Definition: Y coordinate of the site in decimal degrees

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Variable

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Zone_

Attribute_Definition: Geographic Zone

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Maj_Struct

Attribute_Definition: Major Geomorphological Structure

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Det_Struct

Attribute_Definition: Detailed Geomorphological Structure

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Maj_Cover

Attribute_Definition: Major Biological Cover

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: P_Maj_Cov

Attribute_Definition: Percent density/patchiness of major biological cover

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: P_Coral_Cv

Attribute_Definition: Percent live coral cover

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Cover

Attribute_Definition: Concatentation of major and percent biological cover

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Habitat

Attribute_Definition:

Concatenation of detailed geomorphological structure, biological cover and percent live coral cover

Attribute_Definition_Source: NOAA

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unknown

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: 20100226

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_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: 20100226073504

CoRIS_Children: None

CoRIS_Beginning_Date: 20090105

CoRIS_Ending_Date: 20090607

CoRIS_Metadata_Link:

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

CoRIS_Tracking_ID: 4498