This project is a cooperative effort between the National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, the University of Hawaii, IMSG and Analytical Laboratories of Hawaii, LLC. The goal of the work was to incorporate previously developed mapping methods to produce coral reef habitat maps for The Republic of Palau. GPS field observations were used to establish the thematic accuracy of this thematic product. 623 benthic habitat characterizations were completed in UTM Zone 53N for this work.
The National Ocean Service is preparing digital map products of these biotic resources and coordinates a long-term monitoring program that can detect and predict change in U.S. coral reefs, and their associated habitats and biological communities. The goal of the work was to implement previously developed coral reef mapping methods to produce GIS map products of benthic habitats by photo interpreting ortho-rectified remotely sensed imagery. These Accuracy Assessment point data were generated to assess the thematic accuracy of these habitat maps.
ground condition
Not for navigation
1305 East West Highway
The geographic coordinate positions of the points in this thematic data were acquired by GPS using a Trimble GeoExplorer 3 with a customized data dictionary designed to reflect the NOAA Coral Classification Scheme for Benthic Habitats of the Pacific. All habitat determinations were made in the field, recorded in the GPS data logger and seamlessly transferred to ArcView GIS using Trimble Path Finder Office Software.
These data were objectively managed. They were with held from the photo interpreter during map making. The Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) maintained these data at facilities other than ALH. Ultimately, these data were used to prepare the error matrix upon when the statistical report of the thematic accuracy of the maps was generated. Transfer of the habitat assessment data is seamless from the field determination to the final GIS product. The data is not transcribed or rewritten by hand. Errors in processing are not expected.
Data are complete for the entire main archipelago of Palau. Habitat attributes are determined by direct observation in the field. These data are considered truth at the time of collection. Habitat types are subject to change over time due to population dynamics of the dominant biological communities.
Point positional accuracy is determined by two tests producing circular RMS statistics. First, point GPS data were acquired by repeated occupation of a registered survey monument that has been recently recovered and positioned using survey grade GPS buy the National Geodetic Survey. Second, replicate GPS positions were collected after navigating to a way point by boat to estimate the positional error generated from variables due to environmental conditions offshore. The 95 percent sigma RMS accuracy error was calculated to be 0.97 meters and the precision calculated to be 0.84 meters on 141 measurements on registered monuments. The navigation accuracy error was calculated to be 1.36 meters with precision calculated to be 1.11 meters. Each GPS measurement was the average of 100 GPS positions. Thus, all point features in these accuracy assessment data meet the NOAA contract standard of 95 percent sigma of 5 meters.
Random points were generated to test the accuracy of benthic habitat maps. The points were stratified on detailed class.
This document identifies the zone and habitat types attributed in the GIS data.
After photo interpretation was completed, at minimum of 25 random geographically referenced points were acquired in each detailed benthic structure and cover class. This is done using a random point generator program obtained from the ESRI website, which generates random points inside an ArcView GIS polygon class. Waypoint files are generated from these random points and all waypoints, which could be safely accessed, are navigated to using a Trimble GeoExplorer 3 GPS data logger and a benthic habitat characterization was conducted. Eight test areas have been defined and the final data set meets the goal of 25 points per detailed structure and cover habitat.
1320 Aalapapa Dr.
Metadata imported.
Feature geometry.
ESRI
UTM Zone
User Defined
Name of Island
User defined
Number of image bundle
Unique site ID
Water Depth in feet
GPS Data Logger
Abbreviation for Accuracy Assessment data type
Vertical relief of survey area; relative scale of 1 (lowest relief) to 5 (highest relief)
GPS data logger
Major reef structure type
Habitat classification scheme for the Pacific
Detailed reef structure type
Habitat classification scheme of the Pacific
Primary biological cover type
Percent of biological cover in survey area
Geomorphologic zone
Habitat classification scheme
Method used for field observations
Percent live coral cover observed during field survey
Percent macroalgal cover observed during field survey
GOS data logger
Percent sea grass cover observed during field survey
Percent coralline algal cover observed during field survey
Percent turf cover observed during field survey
Percent sand cover observed during field survey
Percent mud cover observed during field survey
Percent emergent vegetation observed during field survey
Percent of substrate bare of occupied by other biological cover observed during field survey
Underwater photo record
Measure of positional strength of GPS satellite configuration
Date of GPS data collection
Time of GPS data collection
Precision of horizontal position
Position precision
Geographic position
Habitat at GPS point position
Habitat notes
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) will publish this data on CD-ROM. NCCOS Biogeography Program does not guarantee the accuracy of the geographic features or attributes. Please see the metadata records for each data set for complete information on the source, limitations, and proper use. NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NODC 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.
Contact NOAA for distribution options (see Distributor).
