Composite fish diversity off southern California

This map shows composite diversity averaged between 4 data sets: RecFIN recreational hook and line, SCCWRP trawls, NMFS benthic trawls, and kelp diver surveys. Diversity (H') was calculated independently for each of the four large datasets on a total of 364 species using the Shannon index of diversity (Shannon and Weaver, 1949). Using ArcGIS, 5 x 5 minute grids were created and mean diversity was calculated for each grid cell containing data. To provide an overall map of diversity, results from the four datasets were combined. To standardize, gridded results from each dataset were divided into quintiles with 5 denoting the greatest diversity and 1 the least diversity. The standardized diversity was averaged where more than one diversity estimate was available for a cell. Standardization re-scales the results from all datasets to the same scale. This process can remove some differences that result from variable collection methods; however, it can also minimize actual differences between habitats.

Data were analyzed to provide fish diversity information as part of a more comprehensive biogeographic analysis of resources within southern California and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

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In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Marine Sanctuary Program will incorporatethis assessment with cultural and socio-economic analyses to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to fully analyze boundary change concepts.

These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Although all data have been used by NOAA, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by NOAA as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by NOAA in the use of these data or related materials.

The analytical results present in the report and in this shapefile are available as a download either from a CD-Rom or from the NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Branchs website. http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/sanctuaries/chanisl_nms/; Contact Randy Clark (randy.clark@noaa.gov);

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Please reference report and source data.

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Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.0.0.535

This data depicts a composite of fish diversity from several data sources in the region of southern California as part of a comprehensive biogeographic assessment for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.

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