Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Data Viewer and Data Services for Atlases

ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife based on sensitivity to spilled oil. There are three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources. The shoreline and intertidal areas are ranked based on sensitivity determined by: (1) Shoreline type (substrate, grain size, tidal elevation, origin); (2) Exposure to wave and tidal energy; (3) Biological productivity and sensitivity; and (4) Ease of cleanup. The biology layers focus on threatened/endangered species, areas of high concentration, and areas where sensitive life stages may occur. Supporting data tables provide species-/location-specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information. Human-use resources mapped include managed areas (parks, refuges, critical habitats, etc.) and resources that may be impacted by oiling and/or cleanup (beaches, archaeological sites, marinas, etc.). ESIs are available for the majority of the US coastline, as well as the US territories. ESI data are available in a variety of GIS formats, as well as PDF maps. For more information or to download complete ESI data sets, go to: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi.

ESI data are targeted for oil spill response and preparedness for coastal and nearshore resources. The data are a snapshot in time and are not all-inclusive; rather, they focus on resources particularly vulnerable to oiling. Provided these limitations are recognized, the data can be useful to a much broader audience for coastal zone management and assessment.

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These data represent a snapshot in time and are not intended to include all biological or human-use resources present in an area. They should be used for a first assessment only. The data providers (listed in the original, atlas-specific metadata) are the experts with regard to individual resources. They should be contacted if you require more current and/or in-depth information about a particular resource.

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DO NOT USE MAPS FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES. Besides the above warning, there are no use constraints on these data. Note that the ESI database 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 database 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 database 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.

Accuracy is variable within each atlas. Accuracy is described within Intro.pdf file in each atlas download.