GPS Control Data for Benthic Habitat Mapping of American Samoa

This project is a cooperative effort among the National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment; the University of Hawaii; BAE Systems Spectral Solutions; 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 American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. GPS field observations were used to establish the thematic accuracy of this thematic product. Control GPS data was collected on registered survey markers and RMS circular error was calculated to establish the quality of the GPS collected during field surveys.

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 georeferenced remotely sensed imagery. GPS data was collected to establish thematic accuracy of the benthic habitat products. GPS data was also collected to investigate the benthic habitats during map preparation.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) produced this data CD-ROM. NCCOS Biogeography Branch 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.

Contact NOAA for distribution options (see Distributor).;

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Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 1; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.0.0.535

All point attribute data was reviewed and is believed to be 100% accurate.

RMS error was established as 95% sigma of less than 2 meters.

Data are complete. A statistically robust data set was collected on the OFU 1 USGS benchmark on the runway at the Ofu airport.

All control GPS data collected during this work was collected according to standard operating procedures. The data was collected using a Trimble GeoExplorer 3 GPS receiver/datalogger and, differentially corrected and seamlessly transferred to the ArcView GIS using Trimble Pathfinder Software. These data are believed to be consistent.