Golfo de Fonseca ESI; Honduras and Nicaragua: ESI (Environmental Sensitivity Index Shoreline Types)

This data set comprises the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) data for Golfo de Fonseca. ESI data characterize estuarine environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources. This data set contains the Environmental Sensitivity Index shoreline data.

The ESI data were collected, mapped, and digitized to provide environmental data for oil spill planning and response and for coastal zone planning and management.

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Prepared by Research Planning, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina for the United States Department of Commerce; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, Hazardous Materials Response Division; USAID, The U.S. Agency for International Development; PROARCA/Costas, Programa Ambiental Regional para Centro America; SERNA, Secretaria Nacional de Recursos Naturales de Honduras; and MARENA, Ministerio del Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de Nicaragua.

Resource Description - ESI Atlas for Golfo de Fonseca, Honduras and Nicaragua

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.

Contact NOAA for distribution options (see Distribution_Information).;

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DO NOT USE MAPS FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES. Besides the above warning, there are no use constraints on these data. Acknowledgment of the publishers and contributing sources listed in Data_Set_Credit (below) would be appreciated in products derived from these data.

The software packages used to develop the atlas are Environmental Systems Research Institute's ARC/INFO(r) (version 8.0.2) and ORACLE(r) RDBMS (version 8.0.5.0.0). The hardware configuration is Hewlett Packard workstations (models 715/50 and 712/80i with 4 X-terminals) with UNIX operating system (HP-UX Release A.10.20). The following files are included in the data set: bio_lut.e00, biofile.e00, biores.e00, birds.e00, esi.e00, fish.e00, hydro.e00, index.e00, invert.e00, mgt.e00, m_mammal.e00, reptiles.e00, saltpond.e00, soc_dat.e00, soc_lut.e00, socecon.e00, sources.e00, species.e00, status.e00, t_mammal.e00.

The attribute accuracy is estimated to be "good" given the years of ESI experience, the data-input methodology, the quality control review sessions, and the digital logical consistency checks.

The ESI data use 1:50,000 topographic quadrangles as the basemap. It is estimated that the ESI shoreline classification has a minimum mapping unit of 100 feet.

The intertidal coastal habitats of Golfo de Fonseca were mapped during overflights and ground surveys conducted 20-25 February, 2000. Overflights were conducted using fixed-wing Cessna 152 and 172s. Surveys of the entire study area were conducted at flying altitudes of 400-600 feet (120-185 meters) and at a slow air speed. During this work, an experienced coastal geologist delineated the intertidal shoreline habitats directly onto 1:50,000-scale topographic maps. Where appropriate, multiple habitats were described for each shoreline segment. Prior to the overflights, high resolution, black and white vertical aerial photographs (obtained in December, 1998 under the USGS Open Skies Program) were examined to produce an initial classification. The overflights and ground surveys were particularly important in updating the location and extent of recent aquaculture sites, as well as delineating changes resulting from Hurricane Mitch (October, 1998). Polygonal features, such as mangroves and salt flats, were initially mapped from the existing topographic maps, updated through the aerial photography, and finalized during the overflights.

The digitization of shoreline types, biological resources, and human-use resources is a complex and highly quality-controlled process. Existing digital shoreline and wetlands data are integrated into a study-wide basemap. In order to facilitate digitizing, the entire study area is split into individual quadrangles using the INDEX data layer. The first layer of information digitized is the ESI shoreline classification. The ESI habitat ranking is compiled onto 1:50,000 topographic quadrangles by a geomorphologist. The hardcopy maps are then digitized and checked using both on-screen and hardcopy reviews. The edited maps are updated, checked once again for completeness and topological and logical consistency. Any errors in the shoreline classification are updated prior to digitization of the biological and human-use layers. All layers use the shoreline as the geographic reference so that there are no slivers in the geographic coordinates. The hardcopy biological information is compiled onto 1:50,000 topographic quadrangles by a biological expert using data from regional specialists in the form of maps, tables, charts, written descriptions of wildlife distributions, and personal interviews. Concurrently, digital data sources are imported, projected, checked for quality control, and integrated into the data structure. The hardcopy data are digitized, checked using both digital and on-screen procedures, integrated with existing data, plotted, and sent out for review by the regional specialists. The edited maps are updated, checked once again, and the final product plotted (at approximately 1:50,000 scale). A team of specialists reviews the entire series of maps, checks all data, and makes final edits. The data are then merged to form the study-wide layers. The data merging includes a final quality control check where labels, chains, and polygons are checked for attribute accuracy. To finalize the data checking process, each data layer is checked using a standardized form by two GIS personnel (a technician and the GIS manager), and each attribute database is checked using several programs 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 tape and the metadata are written. ESI data are processed into multiple formats to make them useful to a wider community of GIS/mapping users. Distribution formats include ARC export, MOSS and Shape files, and MARPLOT map folders. An ArcView ESI project and ESI_Viewer product are also included on the CDs for ease of use of the ESI data. The database files are distributed both in the NOAA standard relational database format (see NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 115) and in a simplified desktop flat file format. This metadata document includes information on both of these database formats. The section Spatial_Data_Organization_Information refers to the source files in ARC export format only.