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Short Citation:
Office of Response and Restoration, 2024: Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia 2016 ESI BENTHIC Polygons, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/53404.

Item Identification

Title: Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia 2016 ESI BENTHIC Polygons
Short Name: Chesapeake Bay 2016 ESI BENTHIC Polygons
Status: Completed
Publication Date: 2016
Abstract:

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Vector polygons in this data set represent SAV distribution. Species specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information are stored in relational data tables (described below) designed to be used in conjunction with this spatial data layer. This data set comprises a portion of the ESI data for Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal 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.

Purpose:

The ESI data were collected, mapped, and digitized to provide environmental data for oil spill planning and response. The Clean Water Act with amendments by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires response plans for immediate and effective protection of sensitive resources.

Notes:

1641

Other Citation Details:

Prepared by Research Planning, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, Emergency Response Division, Seattle, Washington.

Keywords

Theme Keywords

Thesaurus Keyword
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
EARTH SCIENCE > HUMAN DIMENSIONS > ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS > OIL SPILLS
ISO 19115 Topic Category
biota
ISO 19115 Topic Category
environment
UNCONTROLLED
None Coastal resources
None Coastal Zone Management
None Environmental Monitoring
None Environmental Sensitivity Index
None Oil spill planning
None Sensitivity maps
None Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Spatial Keywords

Thesaurus Keyword
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > MARYLAND
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > VIRGINIA
UNCONTROLLED
None Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia

Physical Location

Organization: Office of Response and Restoration
City: Seattle
State/Province: WA
Country: USA

Data Set Information

Data Set Scope Code: Data Set
Data Set Type: GIS Files
Maintenance Frequency: As Needed
Maintenance Note:

Data content is considered static once published. However, if issues with the Geodatabase linkages or table contents are identified, the Geodatabase and/or the associated Map Document may be updated. Assure most current data is being used by downloading from https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_download and/or comparing modification dates provided at this site.

Data Presentation Form: Map (digital)
Entity Attribute Overview:

The primary attribute tables associated with the ESI biology data are BIOFILE, SOURCES, and BREED_DT. The geographic data layer containing biological resource information (in this case, BENTHIC) is linked to the BIOFILE using the RARNUM field. There is a many-to-many relationship from the data layer to the BIOFILE, as an RARNUM may be repeated in several geographic features. Likewise, in the BIOFILE, the same RARNUM may appear in multiple records, representing a unique combination of species found in that region. To be represented by the same RARNUM, these species groups must also share the same seasonality, concentration, mapping qualifier, and source information.

The items in the BIOFILE are ELEMENT, SUBELEMENT, NAME, GEN_SPEC, S, F, STATE, S_DATE, F_DATE, GRANK, GRANKDATE, MAPPING_QUALIFIER, CONC, JAN, FEB, MAR, APR, MAY, JUN, JUL, AUG, SEP, OCT, NOV, DEC, BREED1, BREED2, BREED3, BREED4, BREED5, RARNUM, G_SOURCE, S_SOURCE, and BREED. The G_SOURCE and S_SOURCE fields provide links to the SOURCES table, where object level source information is available. The BREED field is the link to the BREED_DT table, where searchable breed information is provided. The links to both of these tables are also many-to-many.

During the collection of the ESI data, six relational data tables are used to store the attribute data. These are the BIORES, BREED, SEASONAL, SOURCES, SPECIES, and STATUS tables. When we create new ESI data, we populate these tables to maintain the integrity of the data collected. Once completed, all information populating these tables is collapsed into the BIOFILE to ease data queries and general usability of the final product.

Entity Attribute Detail Citation:

NOAA ESI Guidelines

Entity Attribute Detail URL: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_guidelines
Distribution Liability:

Although these data have been processed and used 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.

Data Set Credit: This project was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), Emergency Response Division (ERD), Seattle, Washington.

Support Roles

Data Steward

CC ID: 769379
Date Effective From: 2016-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Position): ESI Program Manager
Address: 7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Email Address: orr.esi@noaa.gov

Distributor

CC ID: 769381
Date Effective From: 2016-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Organization): Office of Response and Restoration (ORR)
Address: 1305 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
URL: ORR Home Page

Metadata Contact

CC ID: 769382
Date Effective From: 2016-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Position): ESI Program Manager
Address: 7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Email Address: orr.esi@noaa.gov

Point of Contact

CC ID: 769380
Date Effective From: 2016-09
Date Effective To:
Contact (Position): ESI Program Manager
Address: 7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Email Address: orr.esi@noaa.gov

Extents

Currentness Reference: Publication Date

Extent Group 1

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 769377
W° Bound: -77.5418
E° Bound: -74.7942
N° Bound: 39.7215
S° Bound: 36.5498
Description

This reflects the extent of all land and water features included in the overall Chesapeake Bay and Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia 2016 ESI study region. The bounding box for this particular feature class may vary depending on occurrences identified and mapped.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 769376
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014
End: 2016
Description:

Time Frame Range starts with ESI Project Start Year, and ends with ESI Atlas Publication Year.

Spatial Information

Spatial Representation

Representations Used

Vector: Yes
Text / Table: Yes

Vector Representation 1

CC ID: 769392
Topology Level: Geometry Only
Complex Object Present?: Yes
Complex Object Count: 8725

Access Information

Security Class: Unclassified
Data Access Procedure:

Data can be accessed by downloading the zipped ArcGIS geodatabase from the Download URL (see Distribution Information). Questions can be directed to the ESI Program Manager (Point Of Contact).

Data Access Constraints:

None

Data Use Constraints:

DO NOT USE MAPS FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES. Management boundaries are not to be considered legal boundaries. Edges may have been altered for cartographic processes. 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. Besides the above warnings, there are no use constraints on these data. Acknowledgment of the originators, publishers, contributors, and sources listed would be appreciated in products derived from these data.

Distribution Information

Distribution 1

CC ID: 776069
Start Date: 2016
End Date: Present
Download URL: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_download
Distributor: Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) (2016-09 - Present)
File Name: ChesapeakeBay_2016_ESI_GDB.zip
Description:

This feature class is part of the downloadable Esri Arc Geodatabase.

File Date/Time: 2017-01-12 00:00:00
File Type (Deprecated): Arc Geodatabase
Distribution Format: ESRI File Geodatabase
File Size: 783 MB
Compression: Zip

URLs

URL 1

CC ID: 769383
URL: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi
Name: ESI Overview
URL Type:
Online Resource
File Resource Format: html
Description:

Overview of ESI data content and uses.

URL 2

CC ID: 769454
URL: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_guidelines
Name: ESI Guidelines
URL Type:
Online Resource
File Resource Format: pdf
Description:

Guidelines for developing ESI data content and overview of ESI data structure. Useful for data collectors and users requiring more in depth information on the ESI process.

URL 3

CC ID: 769455
URL: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/ESI-Browse-Graphic.pdf
Name: ESI Browse Graphic
URL Type:
Browse Graphic
File Resource Format: pdf
Description:

ESI Browse Graphic depicts the relationships between the spatial data layers and the attribute data tables for the Chesapeake Bay and Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia ESI data.

Activity Log

Activity Log 1

CC ID: 769385
Activity Date/Time: 2016-09
Description:

Date that the source FGDC record was last modified.

Activity Log 2

CC ID: 769384
Activity Date/Time: 2017-04-05
Description:

Converted from Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (version FGDC-STD-001-1998) using 'fgdc_to_inport_xml.pl' script. Contact Tyler Christensen (NOS) for details.

Activity Log 3

CC ID: 769386
Activity Date/Time: 2017-09-13
Description:

Partial upload of Spatial Info section only.

Activity Log 4

CC ID: 769387
Activity Date/Time: 2017-11-01
Description:

Replaced entire Lineage section to populate new Source Contribution field.

Activity Log 5

CC ID: 769388
Activity Date/Time: 2018-02-08
Description:

Partial upload of Positional Accuracy fields only.

Technical Environment

Description:

The software packages used to develop the atlas are Environmental Systems Research Institute's ArcGIS for Desktop 10.2(R) and SQL SERVER(R) (version 2005). The hardware configuration is PC's with Windows Operating System 7.

Data Quality

Accuracy:

A multi-stage error checking process is used to verify both attribute accuracy and logical consistency throughout data production. The process includes a standardized data entry methodology, data review by in-house and external resource experts, a final Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) process, and multiple automated logical consistency checks. Quantitative data (such as densities, counts, abundances, or concentrations) provided by resource experts for inclusion in the data set may vary widely in attribute accuracy, depending upon the methodology used to collect and compile such data. For a more detailed evaluation of source data attribute accuracy, contact the sources listed in the Lineage section.

Horizontal Positional Accuracy:

Spatial components for the biological data layers can come from expert interviews, hardcopy, or digital sources. Some of the spatial components of the biological data layers may have been developed using regional experts who estimate concentration areas. It is difficult to estimate the positional accuracy of such data, except to state that they are compiled on hardcopy base maps with a scale of 1:24,000. Some of the spatial components of the biological data sets are developed from pre-existing digital or hardcopy sources and reflect the positional accuracy of these original data. Note that biological resource data by their very nature are considered "fuzzy", and this should be understood when considering the positional accuracy of vector digital objects representing these resources. See the Lineage and Process_Description sections for more information on the original source data and how these data were integrated or manipulated to create the final data set.

Completeness Report:

These data represent a synthesis of sources of data, e.g., expert knowledge, available hardcopy documents, survey data, maps, and digital data on benthic species (submerged aquatic vegetation) distributions in the study area. These data do not necessarily represent all benthic occurrences in Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia. The following species are included in this data set: (Species_ID, Common Name, Scientific Name [n/a if not applicable]): 609, Submerged aquatic vegetation, n/a.

Conceptual Consistency:

A multi-stage error checking process, described in the above Attribute Accuracy Report, is used to verify both attribute accuracy and logical consistency throughout data production. This process includes multiple automated logical consistency checks that test the files for missing or duplicate data, rules for proper coding, GIS topological consistencies, and SQL SERVER(R) to ArcGIS(R) consistencies. A final review is made by the GIS manager, before the final Geodatabase and metadata are created. After the data are delivered to NOAA, they are again subjected to several consistency checks, and processed into the final delivery format.

Lineage

Lineage Statement:

This atlas supersedes two separate first edition atlases, Virginia (2005, #25) and Maryland (2007, #47). Three main sources of data were used to depict benthic distribution and seasonality for this data layer: 1) personal interviews with resource experts from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2) digital survey data from VIMS and USFWS, and 3) published reports.

Sources

DISTRIBUTION OF SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION IN CHESAPEAKE BAY AND COASTAL BAYS

CC ID: 769394
Contact Name: VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE (VIMS)
Publish Date: 2015-01-01
Extent Type: Range
Extent Start Date/Time: 2010
Extent End Date/Time: 2014
Citation URL: http://web.vims.edu/bio/sav/gis_data.html
Source Contribution:

BENTHIC INFORMATION | Source Geospatial Form: vector digital data | Type of Source Media: online

ECOLOGY OF SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION

CC ID: 769395
Contact Name: VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE (VIMS)- BOB ORTH AND DAVID WILCOX
Publish Date: 2016-01-01
Extent Type: Discrete
Extent Start Date/Time: 2016
Source Contribution:

BENTHIC INFORMATION | Source Geospatial Form: EXPERT KNOWLEDGE | Type of Source Media: PERSONAL COMMUNICATION

SAV MAP OF NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA

CC ID: 769393
Contact Name: NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES - HABITAT PROTECTION SECTION, ALBEMARLE - PAMLICO NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION (SAV) MAPPING PARTNERSHIP
Publish Date: 2008-01-01
Extent Type: Range
Extent Start Date/Time: 2007
Extent End Date/Time: 2008
Source Contribution:

BENTHIC INFORMATION | Source Geospatial Form: vector digital data | Type of Source Media: EMAIL

Process Steps

Process Step 1

CC ID: 769396
Description:

SAV data for the Chesapeake Bay from 2010-2014 aerial surveys were provided by VIMS. VIMS categorized SAV density for each year for all survey locations using a scale from 1 = very sparse (<10% coverage), to 4 = dense (70-100% cover). For the ESI, VIMS provided five years (2010-2014) of SAV data to account for interannual variation in bed size and density. The five years of data were layered and the resulting polygons were categorized as either high or low density based on whether a majority of the years (three or more years) had high density categories (3 or 4) or low density categories (1 or 2). Areas with a density category of 0 for all five years were not mapped. Areas with one or two 0 density years were assigned to the ESI high or low categories based on the density categories of the majority of remaining years. All areas with at least one year of SAV presence, regardless of density value, that was not already covered by the high and low polygons were mapped with a concentration of ephemeral. High, low, and ephemeral polygons were dissolved to make contiguous polygons. Density of all SAV communities in Chesapeake Bay peak in the summer months, and some species are present year-round. The SAV survey data provided was not species-specific, so all SAV mapped in the Chesapeake Bay were mapped as present year-round.

SAV in Back Bay was mapped where present using the SAV map of North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia originated by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and provided by Back Bay NWR. Freshwater SAV communities defoliate and are not present in winter, so SAV in Back Bay, an oligohaline bay, were mapped only during months present for freshwater SAV.

The above digital and/or hardcopy sources were compiled by the project biologist to create the BENTHIC data layer. Depending on the type of source data, three general approaches are used for compiling the data layer: 1) information gathered during initial interviews and from hardcopy sources are compiled onto U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 topographic quadrangles and digitized; 2) hardcopy maps are digitized at their source scale; 3) digital data layers are evaluated and used "as is" or integrated with the hardcopy data sources. See the Lineage section for additional information on the type of source data for this data layer. The ESI, biology, and human-use data are compiled into the standard ESI digital data format. A second set of interviews with participating resource experts are conducted to review the compiled data. If necessary, edits to the BENTHIC data layer are made based on the recommendations of the resource experts, and final hardcopy maps and digital data are created.

Process Date/Time: 2016-09-01 00:00:00
Process Contact: ESI Program Manager
Email Address: orr.esi@noaa.gov

Child Items

Rubric scores updated every 15m

Rubric Score Type Title
Entity BENTHIC
Entity BIOFILE
Entity BREED_DT
Entity SOURCES

Catalog Details

Catalog Item ID: 53404
GUID: gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:53404
Metadata Record Created By: David Moe Nelson
Metadata Record Created: 2018-08-30 14:50+0000
Metadata Record Last Modified By: SysAdmin InPortAdmin
Metadata Record Last Modified: 2023-10-17 16:12+0000
Metadata Record Published: 2019-02-14
Owner Org: ORR
Metadata Publication Status: Published Externally
Do Not Publish?: N
Metadata Last Review Date: 2019-02-14
Metadata Review Frequency: 1 Year
Metadata Next Review Date: 2020-02-14