National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT), and other federal,
regional, state, and local agencies, varying by atlas.
199608
South Florida, 1993-1995 Environmental Sensitivity Index Map
PDF map
Seattle, WA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT), Seattle, Washington
Prepared by Research Planning, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Response and Restoration,
Hazardous Materials Response Division, Seattle, Washington and other concerned agencies, varying by individual atlas.
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT), Seattle, Washington
199608
Florida Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Atlas
PDF map
Seattle, WA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT),
Seattle, Washington
https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_download
Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps are an integral component in oil-spill contingency planning and assessment.
They serve as a source of information in the event of an oil spill incident.
ESI maps contain three types of information: shoreline habitats (classified according to their sensitivity to oiling),
sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources. Most often, this information is plotted on 7.5 minute U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangles, although in the Alaska ESI maps, USGS topographic maps at scales of 1:63,360 and
1:250,000 are used, and in other ESI maps, NOAA charts have been used as the base map. Collections of these maps,
grouped by state or a logical geographic area, are published as ESI atlases. Digital data have been published for most
of the U.S. shoreline, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
The ESI data were collected, mapped, and digitized to provide environmental data for oil spill planning and response.
The Clean Water Act, with amendments by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, requires response plans for immediate and effective
protection of sensitive resources.
Oil spill planning and response remains the primary use of these maps; however, they are finding ever-widening use in
such areas as coastal resource inventories and assessments, coastal planning, and recreational planning.
Each PDF map is part of a regional atlas and uses a suite of associated files: GUIDE.PDF,
SEASON.PDF, INTRO.PDF, INDEX.PDF, LEGEND.PDF, and METADATA.PDF. GUIDE describes how to use the navigable PDF software.
SEASON contains seasonality tables for the biological and human-use resources. INTRO contains explanations about the
atlas and its contents, including a list of species represented in the atlas, and photographs of the ESI shoreline
types depicted in the atlas. INDEX shows all the maps included in the atlas. LEGEND shows the symbols and colors used
to depict the shoreline habitats, human-use resources, and sensitive biological resources. Finally, METADATA documents
the various GIS polygon, line, and point files, and respective source material. The Time_ Period section in this
metadata record represents the dates when the data and information were collected to prepare the GIS products and atlases.
Hence, the actual observation of the resource status was completed on, or most likely before, this date. See the
atlas-specific metadata for actual survey and data publication dates.
The intertidal habitats were mapped during aerial and ground surveys conducted in June, 1993. The biological and human-use resources
data were compiled by regional biologists in 1995. The dates for these data vary and are documented in Section 2.5.1.
1993
1995
publication date
None planned
-82.25
-82.125
24.625
24.5
NCEI Geoportal FilterCoRIS_Metadata
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
Map Images > Environmental Sensitivity Index
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Coastal Habitat
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Fish
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Birds
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Reptiles > Turtles
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Mammals > Cetaceans
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Mammals > Pinnipeds
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Bathymetry
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Mapping > Habitat Mapping
EARTH SCIENCE > Hydrosphere > Water Quality > Contaminants > Chemical
None
ESI
Environmental Sensitivity Index
ESI Maps
ESI Atlas
Sensitivity maps
Coastal Resources
Oil spill planning
Coastal Zone Management
Oceans
Hydrography
Wildlife
Oil and Chemical Spills
Natural Hazards Assessment
Coral Reef Conservation
ISO 19115 Topic Category
biota
002
environment
007
CoRIS Place Thesaurus
OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida Reef Tract > Lower Florida Keys > Marquesas Key (24N082W0002)
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida > Monroe County > Marquesas Key (24N082W0002)
OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Jacksonville (30N081W0001)
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida > Duvall County > Jacksonville (30N081W0001)
OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida Reef Tract > Dry Tortugas > Dry Tortugas (24N082W0001)
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida > Monroe County > Dry Tortugas (24N082W0001)
OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida
None
South Florida
CoRIS Region
Florida
None.
DO NOT USE ESI MAPS FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES. Besides the above warning, there are no use constraints on
these data. Note that the ESI maps should not be used to the exclusion of other pertinent data or information held by
state or federal agencies or other organizations. Likewise, information contained in the maps cannot be used in place of
consultations with environmental, natural resource, and cultural resource agencies, or in place of field surveys.
Recognize that the information contained in the ESI maps represents known concentration areas or occurrences of natural,
cultural, and human-use resources, but does not necessarily represent the full distribution or range of each species or
resource. This is particularly important to recognize when considering potential impacts to protected resources, such as
endangered species, wetlands, etc. Acknowledgment of the originators, publishers, contributors, and sources listed would
be appreciated in products derived from these data.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT)
Jill Petersen
GIS Manager
mailing and physical address
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle
WA
98115-6349
USA
206-526-6944
206-526-6329
orr.esi@noaa.gov
This project was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean
Service (NOS), Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT),
Seattle, Washington, and other federal, regional, state, and local agencies, varying by atlas.
A multi-stage error checking process is used to verify both attribute accuracy and logical
consistency throughout data production. The process includes a standardized data entry methodology, hardcopy data
review by in-house and external resource experts, a final Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) process, and
multiple automated logical consistency checks. Quantitative data (such as densities, counts, abundances, or concentrations)
provided by resource experts for inclusion in the data set may vary widely in attribute accuracy, depending upon the
methodology used to collect and compile such data. For a more detailed evaluation of source data attribute accuracy,
contact the sources listed in the Lineage section of the metadata record for the desired resource (e.g., BIRDS) in the
ESI atlas of interest.
A multi-stage error checking process, described in the above Attribute_Accuracy_Report, is used
to verify both attribute accuracy and logical consistency throughout data production. This process includes multiple
automated logical consistency checks that test the files for missing or duplicate data, rules for proper coding, GIS
topological consistencies (such as dangles, unnecessary nodes, etc.), and ORACLE(r) to ARC/INFO(r) consistencies. A
final review is made by the GIS Manager, where the data are written to CD-ROM and the metadata are written. After the
data are delivered to NOAA, they are again subjected to a number of quality and consistency checks.
These data represent coastal shorelines and habitats classified according to the Environmental
Sensitivity Index (ESI) classification system; sensitive biological resources; and human-use resources.
As a rule, the positional accuracy is based on the source data which, for the
lower contiguous states, is generally the 1:24,000 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quads. In Alaska, the source data are
a combination of the 1:63,360 and 1:250,000 USGS quads, and may vary elsewhere. For more information about the original
source data and how these data were integrated or manipulated to create the final data set, see the Lineage and
Process_Description sections of the metadata record for the appropriate resource (e.g., BIRDS).
ESI maps are comprised of three general types of information:
SHORELINE CLASSIFICATION - ESI maps include a shoreline ranking, based on a scale relating sensitivity, natural
persistence of oil, and ease of cleanup. The shoreline classification scheme combines an understanding of the
physical and biological character of the shoreline environment, as well as the substrate type and grain size.
Relationships among physical processes, substrate type, and associated biota produce specific geomorphic/ecological
shoreline types, sediment transport patterns, and predictable oil behaviors and biological impacts. The sensitivity
ranking (Rank 1 - Rank 10) is dictated by the following factors: relative exposure to wave and tidal energy, shoreline
slope, substrate type (grain size, mobility, penetration and/or burial, and trafficability), and biological productivity
and sensitivity.
Methods for classifying shorelines include review of existing maps, literature, and remote imagery, incorporated with
observations from low-altitude aerial surveys and ground observations.
Base maps, shoreline, wetland boundaries, and aerial photographs are gathered prior to a survey. Using this information,
along with any previous studies of the area, the geologist completes a preliminary shoreline classification. This
classification is modified during the fieldwork process.
Fieldwork consists of two parts: aerial surveys and ground verifications. During the overflight phase, the geologist
annotates the shoreline base map with ESI Rankings, carefully noting transitions in habitats. Shorelines with more
than one ESI type in the intertidal zone are annotated on the map in order from landward to seaward ESI classification.
A segment of coastline may be assigned up to three ESI shoreline types. In areas where the coastline has changed
significantly from the base map (either through natural or artificial processes), the geologist modifies the base map
by hand. In addition to classifying the shoreline, the observer takes representative low-altitude, oblique photographs
for each ESI habitat.
Ground verification consists of spot-checking to confirm aerial observations. Ideally, an example of each habitat is
visited and photographed from the ground. At a minimum, ground verification concentrates on confirming grain-size
classification for sedimentary substrates, since this can be difficult to recognize from the air. If a portion of the
coast is identified during the overflights as problematic or difficult to classify, that segment is ground checked and
maps are updated according to the ground observations.
Once the field component of the project is complete, the maps are scanned and the digital shoreline arcs are updated
with the ESI attributes noted in the field. The shape and position of the digital shoreline may also be modified at
this time to reflect field observations. After the information from the field map has been incorporated into the
digital database, the ESI shoreline is color-coded and replotted at the same scale as the original base maps. The
geologist then compares the classified shoreline plots to the original field-annotated base maps and any errors in
shoreline attributes, as recorded in the GIS database, are corrected.
SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - ESI maps depict oil-sensitive animals and rare plants, as well as habitats that are
used by oil-sensitive species. Some habitats, such as submersed aquatic vegetation and coral reefs, that are themselves
sensitive to oil spills may also be depicted.
Biological resource information is gathered from local officials who provide expert knowledge and suggest relevant
source materials for biological resources in the study area. When the data have been collected and reviewed, the
biologist plans how each resource will be mapped throughout the entire study area. During this process, it may be
necessary to prioritize the species to be mapped in order to avoid excess clutter, which makes the final product
difficult to read or interpret. Considerations may include species that are rare or listed as protected or endangered,
or those species that have a particular commercial, recreational, or cultural value in the area. It may also be
appropriate to limit some species-mapping to particularly critical life stages, such as nesting or spawning.
Biological features are mapped as points, polygons, and lines, and are given unique numbers corresponding to associated
data tables, for easy identification and editing.
HUMAN-USE RESOURCES - ESI maps also include human-use areas that could be impacted by an oil spill, or that could
provide access for spill response operations. They include areas that have added sensitivity and value because of their
use, such as beaches, parks, and marine sanctuaries; water intakes; and archaeological sites. Human-use resources are
divided into four major components: high-use recreational and shoreline access locations, management areas, resource
extraction locations, and archaeological and historical cultural resource locations. Each human-use resource is
assigned a feature type and feature code. Management areas are typically mapped as polygons, while the remaining
socioeconomic resources are generally depicted as points.
For more information about the data sources and process for a particular resource, refer to the metadata record for
the desired resource in the ESI atlas of interest.
199608
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT)
Jill Petersen
GIS Manager
mailing and physical address
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle
WA
98115-6349
USA
206-526-6944
206-526-6329
orr.esi@noaa.gov
0.00005
0.00005
Decimal Degrees
North American Datum of 1983
GRS 1980
6378206.4
294.98
The shoreline is categorized on the basis of type and ESI Ranking, where the definition of a specific category can vary
between estuarine, lacustrine, riverine, and palustrine environments. ESI Rankings are divided into ten categories
controlled by relative exposure to wave and tidal energy, shoreline slope, substrate type, and biological productivity
and sensitivity. An ESI Ranking of 1 represents shorelines least susceptible to damage by oiling, and 10 represents
the locations most likely to be damaged.
Animals, plants, and habitats potentially at risk from oil spills are segmented into seven elements based on major
taxonomic and functional groupings. Each element is further divided into groups of species or sub-elements with similar
taxonomy, morphology, life history, and/or behavior relative to oil spill vulnerability and sensitivity. Attribute data
include: species names (common and scientific), the legal status of each species (state and/or federal threatened,
endangered, and special concern listings), concentration/abundance, seasonal presence by month, and special life-history
time-periods (e.g., spawning, nesting).
Human-use resources can be subdivided into four major components: high-use recreational and shoreline access locations,
management areas, resource extraction locations, and archaeological and historical cultural resource locations. Each
of these elements is further subdivided based upon types of use.
Complete descriptions of entity types, attributes, and attribute values can be
found in the metadata record for each resource in the ESI atlas of interest.
John Kaperick
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT)
mailing and physical address
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle
Washington
98115-6349
USA
206-526-6400
206-526-6329
Static Map Images
NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution
constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data,
nor as a result of the failure of these data to function on a particular system. Although these data have been processed
successfully on a computer system at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, no warranty, expressed or
implied, is made by NOAA regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution
constitute any such warranty. NOAA warrants the delivery of this product in computer-readable format, and will offer a
replacement copy of the product when the product is determined unreadable by computer-input peripherals, or when the
physical medium is delivered in damaged condition.
PDF
https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_download
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/data/NOAA/nos/EnvironmentalSensitivityIndices/Florida/southFlorida/S_FLRIDA/ESI_DATA
Adobe Acrobat is used to read these files. Necessary ancilliary information is contained in the SEASON.PDF,
INTRO.PDF, INDEX.PDF, LEGEND.PDF, and METADATA.PDF files in https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/coris/data/NOAA/nos/EnvironmentalSensitivityIndices/Florida/.
The directories contain an electronic version of the South Florida ESI atlas in PDF format. The document GUIDE.PDF
describes how to use the navigable pdf software, for example, to link from the index to the appropriate atlas
page then to the back of the map. For this to function correctly, the directory structure and names must be
maintained. The PDFs can be used on-line or can be printed as individual atlas pages.
PDF
CD-ROM
ISO 9660
Ten dollars per CD-ROM. There is no fee for the online option.
20200708
20081210
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS),
Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Hazardous Materials Response Division (HAZMAT)
Jill Petersen
GIS Manager
mailing and physical address
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle
WA
98115-6349
USA
206-526-6944
206-526-6329
orr.esi@noaa.gov
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998
Local Time
20060714034847
None
19930101
19951231
https://www.coris.noaa.gov/metadata/records/html/esi_south_florida_1995.html
1410