47898
Coastal Massachusetts Submerged Aquatic Beds 1994-1996 Biotic
ma96-biotic_Metadata
Data Set
Published / External
37225
Benthic
Project
Completed
2015
The Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) at NOAA Office for Coastal Management partnered with The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Wetlands Conservancy Program (DEP-WCP) and Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) to produce a digital coverage of submerged aquatic vegetation, primarily eelgrass (Zostera marina) along the Atlantic coast of Massachusetts. Conventional color metric aerial photography at a scale of 1:20,000 was acquired form 1994-1996 according to stringent parameters detailed in the C-CAP protocol (https://coast.noaa.gov/crs/lca/ccap.html). The photography was photointerpreted by DEP-WCP using a biocular stereoscope (Cartographic Engineering Modular Stereoscope Model SB 190). Polygons of eelgrass were delineated onto acetate overlays affixed to each photograph. Extensive fieldwork was conducted to develop signatures and gather surface level data where the presence or extent of habitat was not apparent from the photography. An underwater video camera was utilized in this effort. The aerial photos, with the interpreted acetates attached, were scanned using a photogrammetric quality scanner (AGFA Horizon Plus) at a resolution of 600 dpi resulting in a pixel resolution of .85 meters. The resulting image file was rectified (bilinear 2nd order) by C-CAP to 1 meter black and white and color digital orthophotos supplied by CZM. The polygon delineation from the rectified image was then digitized onscreen. In addition, a point file was generated based on field-verified sites as well as all occurrences of widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) and algae. The rectification and digitization was completed utilizing the ERDAS Imagine software package. The benthic data is classified according to the System for Classification of Habitats in Estuarine and Marine Environments (SCHEME). This system is fully described in "Development of a System for Classification of Habitats in Estuarine and Marine Environments (SCHEME) for Florida, Report to U.S. EPA - Gulf of Mexico Program, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Marine Research Institute. Review Draft 12/04/02." The polygon vector coverage was accuracy assessed by C-CAP and DEP-WCP in July 1997 and September 1998. The assessment was based on random points generated within the polygon boundaries. Navigation to each point in the field was accomplished using real time differential GPS. The underwater video camera was used to verify the presence of the mapped feature at the random point. The accuracy of the mapped grass was 85.4 % (175 of 205 sites mapped correct).
Original contact information:
Contact Org: NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Phone: 843-740-1202
Email: coastal.info@noaa.gov
Provide a baseline digital map of submerged aquatic vegetation resources for coastal management applications.
10055
Aerial photography was interpreted for SAV presence. Extensive field work was conducted in conjunction with the interpretation to develop signatures and address areas of concern.
A total of six coverages were produced in this project. There are two sets of three files. The first set is projected using the Massachusetts mainland state plane projection and covers the entire Atlantic shoreline. This set contains a SAV polygon coverage, a field-verified point coverage, and a point coverage containing all occurrences of Ruppia maritime and algae. The second set is projected using the Massachusetts islands state plan projection and covers Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. This set contains a SAV polygon coverage, a field-verified point coverage, and a point coverage containing all occurrences of Ruppia maritime and algae. AERIAL PHOTO INFORMATION PROJECT Areas Nantucket Acquisition Dates (YYYYMMDD): 19931006 Photo Source: James W. Sewall Company Mission ID: A5076 Scale: 1:20,000 Overlap/Sidelap: 80/40 Film Type: Aerochrome 2448 Filter Type/Number: clear Camera Type: Zeiss RMK Top 15 Lens Type and Focal Length: 6"/153 mm Image Format (23cm, etc.): 9" Number of Rolls/Frames: Roll # 2097, 70 exposures Martha's Vineyard, Elizabeth Islands and South Coast of Cape Cod Acquisition Dates (YYYYMMDD): 19940511/19940921/19950528 Photo Source: James W. Sewall Company Mission ID: A 5223Scale: 1:20,000 Overlap/Sidelap: 80/40 Film Type: Aerochrome 2448 Filter Type/Number: clear Camera Type: Zeiss RMK Top 15 Lens Type and Focal Length: 6"/153 mm Image Format (23cm, etc.): 9" Number of Rolls/Frames Roll # 2224 and 2225, 517 exposures Northern Coast of Cape Cod Acquisition Dates (YYYYMMDD): 19950629/19950528/19960419 Photo Source: James W. Sewall Company Mission ID: A5223 Scale: 1:20,000 Overlap/Sidelap: 80/40 Film Type: Aerochrome 2448Filter Type/Number: clear Camera Type: Zeiss RMK A 1.5/23 and Zeiss RMK Top 15Lens Type and Focal Length: clear Image Format (23cm, etc.): 9"Number of Rolls/Frames: Roll # 2225 and 2226, 337 exposures Boston Harbor and North Shore Acquisition Dates (YYYYMMDD):19960718 Photo Source: James W. Sewall Company Mission ID: A 5522 Scale: 1:20,000 Overlap/Sidelap: 80/40 Film Type: Aerochrome 2448 Filter Type/Number: clear Camera Type: Zeiss RMK A 1.5/23 and Zeiss RMK Top 15 Lens Type and Focal Length: 6"/153 mm Image Format (23cm, etc.): 9" Number of Rolls/Frames: roll # 2243 and 2244, 388 exposures Buzzards Bay and Mount Hope Bay Acquisition Dates (YYYYMMDD): 19960507 Photo Source: James W. Sewall Company Mission ID: A 5522 Scale: 1:20,000 Overlap/Sidelap: 80/40 Film Type: Aerochrome 2448 Filter Type/Number: clear Camera Type: Zeiss RMK A 1.5/23 and Zeiss RMK Top 15 Lens Type and Focal Length: 6"/153 mm Image Format (23cm, etc.): 9" Number of Rolls/Frames: Roll # 2237 and 2240, 342 exposures
Theme
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC
Theme
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > COASTAL
Theme
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > ESTUARY
Theme
ISO 19115 Topic Category
environment
Spatial
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > MASSACHUSETTS
Theme
Biotic Component
Theme
CCAP
Theme
CMECS
Theme
Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard
Theme
Environmental Monitoring
Theme
Massachusetts
Theme
OCM Benthic Habitat Mapping
Theme
Ruppia maritima
Theme
SAV
Theme
SRV
Theme
Zostera marina
Theme
benthic
Theme
coastal change analysis program
Theme
eelgrass
Theme
photogrammetry
Theme
remote sensing
Theme
seagrass
Theme
submerged aquatic vegetation
Theme
submerged rooted vascular
Theme
widgeon grass
Spatial
Boston Harbor
Spatial
Buzzards Bay
Spatial
Cape Cod Bay
Office for Coastal Management
Charleston
SC
Data Set
As Needed
Map (digital)
NOAA provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incomplete, incorrect, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data is suitable for the intended purpose.
49312
Biotic
Biotic
Published / External
Completed
Shallow benthic habitats CMECS 2012 biotic component polygons | Description Source: NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Converted from FGDC using 'fgdc_to_inport_xml_entity.pl' script.
1
OBJECTID
Unknown
No
No
Active
Internal feature number. | Description Source: Esri
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
2
SHAPE
Unknown
No
No
Active
Feature geometry. | Description Source: Esri
Coordinates defining the features.
3
Shape_Length
Unknown
No
No
Active
Length of line features in meters | Description Source: Esri
Distance
4
Shape_Area
Unknown
No
No
Active
Polygon area in square meters | Description Source: Esri
Area
5
CMECS_CODE
Unknown
No
No
Active
CMECS biotic unit code. | Description Source: Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard, FGDC 2012
Alphanumeric code for CMECS units
6
B_SETTING
VARCHAR
No
No
Active
Biotic Setting - Indication of whether the biota are attached or closely associated with the benthos or are suspended or floating in the water column. | Description Source: Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard, FGDC 2012
See list of biotic setting units; CMECS FGDC 2012: See definitions of biotic setting units; CMECS FGDC 2012 |
7
B_CLASS
VARCHAR
No
No
Active
Biotic Class - Dominant (percent cover) taxonomy and life forms of the living components of the sampled area at a fairly coarse level. | Description Source: Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard, FGDC 2012
See list of biotic class units; CMECS FGDC 2012: See definitions of biotic class units; CMECS FGDC 2012 |
8
B_SUBCLASS
VARCHAR
No
No
Active
Biotic Subclass - Dominant (percent cover) taxonomy and life forms of the living components of the sampled area at a fairly coarse level | Description Source: Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard, FGDC 2012
See list of biotic subclass units; CMECS FGDC 2012: See definitions of biotic subclass units; CMECS FGDC 2012 |
9
B_GROUP
VARCHAR
No
No
Active
Biotic Group - Functional groupings of characteristic biological types based on finer distinctions of taxonomy, structure, position, environment, and salinity levels | Description Source: Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard, FGDC 2012
See list of biotic group units; CMECS FGDC 2012: See definitions of biotic group units; CMECS FGDC 2012 |
10
B_COMMUNITY
VARCHAR
No
No
Active
Biotic Community - repeatable, characteristic assemblages of organisms that are relatively uniform in structure, species composition, and habitat conditions | Description Source: Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard, FGDC 2012
See list of biotic community units; CMECS FGDC 2012: See definitions of biotic community units; CMECS FGDC 2012 |
Data Steward
2015
Organization
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
NOAA/OCM
coastal.info@noaa.gov
2234 South Hobson Ave
Charleston
SC
29405-2413
(843) 740-1202
https://coast.noaa.gov
NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page
Online Resource
Distributor
2015
Organization
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
NOAA/OCM
coastal.info@noaa.gov
2234 South Hobson Ave
Charleston
SC
29405-2413
(843) 740-1202
https://coast.noaa.gov
NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page
Online Resource
Metadata Contact
2015
Organization
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
NOAA/OCM
coastal.info@noaa.gov
2234 South Hobson Ave
Charleston
SC
29405-2413
(843) 740-1202
https://coast.noaa.gov
NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page
Online Resource
Point of Contact
2015
Organization
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
NOAA/OCM
coastal.info@noaa.gov
2234 South Hobson Ave
Charleston
SC
29405-2413
(843) 740-1202
https://coast.noaa.gov
NOAA Office for Coastal Management Home Page
Online Resource
Ground Condition
-71.1545
-69.9244
42.683
41.2596
Range
1994
1996
Yes
Yes
1261
Unclassified
None
None
ftp://ftp.coast.noaa.gov/pub/benthic/Benthic_Cover_Data/MA_coast.zip
Bulk Download
FTP download of data files.
https://coast.noaa.gov/data/Images/Collections/BenthicCover_thumbnail.jpg
Browse Graphic
Browse Graphic
JPEG
Sample of benthic cover data
http://www.cmecscatalog.org/
CMECS Catalog
Online Resource
Searchable online catalog of CMECS units, descriptions, and source references
https://coast.noaa.gov/
NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (OCM) website
Online Resource
Information on the NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM)
https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/
NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (OCM) Digital Coast Data section
Online Resource
The website provides not only coastal data, but also the tools, training, and information needed to make these data truly useful. Content comes from many sources, all of which are vetted by NOAA.
https://iocm.noaa.gov/cmecs
CMECS Home Page
Online Resource
Information and resources on the CMECS standard and how to apply it
2017-03-30
Date that the source FGDC record was last modified.
2017-11-14
Converted from FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (version FGDC-STD-001-1998) using 'fgdc_to_inport_xml.pl' script. Contact Tyler Christensen (NOS) for details.
2018-02-08
Partial upload of Positional Accuracy fields only.
2018-04-11
Partial upload to move data access FTP links to Distribution Info and remove broken URLs.
Overall accuracy of 8 meters for line work. See abstract for attribute accuracy assessment methodology and results.
8 meters
nothing to report
In the Habitat attribute field of the polygon coverage, eelgrass_inc refers to polygons where stereo photography coverage ended. In these cases straight line were drawn to close polygons possibly excluding areas of eelgrass habitat.
nothing to report
Coastal Massachusetts Submerged Aquatic Bed
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
1998-01-01
Range
1994
1996
20000
Acetate overlays containing submerged aquatic bed(eelgrass) polygons, field-verified points, and other relevant data. | Source Geospatial Form: map | Type of Source Media: Conventional color metric aerial photography
1
See abstract.
1997-01-01T00:00:00
2
The data were converted from a single ESRI polygon shapefile classified according to the System for Classifying Habitats in Estuarine and Marine Environments (SCHEME) to the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) 2012 format (which can be found at https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/cmecs-crosswalk) which produces separate geoform, biotic, and biotic feature layers from the original input benthic habitat dataset. This biotic feature layer contains CMECS biotic component attributes where an "Equal" or "Nearly Equal" SCHEME value was present in the original data. Polygons for which no biotic information was present have been removed. No other changes to the original polygon boundaries or any other alterations of the original SCHEME data were made during this process.
2015-01-01T00:00:00
49312
Entity
Biotic
gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:47898
Anne Ball
2017-11-14T12:57:30
SysAdmin InPortAdmin
2023-05-30T18:09:28
2018-04-11
Office for Coastal Management
OCM
1002
Public
No
2018-04-11
1 Year
2019-04-11