Data Management Plan

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for sea turtles, estuarine turtles, and T/E herps in Chesapeake Bay and the Outer Coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Vector polygons in this data set represent herpetofauna distribtution and nesting areas. 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.

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.

Lineage Statement:
This atlas supersedes two separate first edition atlases, Virginia (2005, #25) and Maryland (2007, #47).

Process Steps:

• 2016-09-01 00:00:00 - Nesting and in-water distribution data for diamondback terrapins were provided by VIMS (in-water data set), USGS (nesting data set), and USFWS (pers. comm.). The VIMS data set was based on 2012 and 2013 spring-summer surveys at 165 sites and was conducted to study the relationship between terrestrial-aquatic connectivity and the distribution of an estuarine turtle. The results of the survey included predicted probability of occupancy of diamondback terrapins in the Chesapeake Bay, and the "high" and "low" probabilities of occupancy that were determined during the study were adapted for inclusion and represented as likely terrapin distribution polygons in the ESI. The USGS nesting data set was based on the results of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center investigation of over 3,000 kilometers of Chesapeake Bay shoreline in 2002 for terrapins, tracks, and active and disturbed nests. Green (FT/MD ST, VA ST), Kemp's ridley (FE/MD SE, VA SE), leatherback (FE/MD SE, VA SE) and loggerhead (FT/MD ST, VA ST) sea turtles were mapped in this atlas. Many barrier island, and some mainland, outer sand beaches are important nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtle, and potential (but very rare) nesting habitat for Kemp's ridley and green sea turtles. Nesting typically occurs in Virginia and Maryland from May to August with hatching from June-October (loggerhead sea turtle). Data that represent documented nesting in Virginia from 1970-2015 were provided by VDGIF. The concentration values were based on the range of nest counts observed on a particular stretch of beach over time (e.g., 0-8 nests, <10 nests). Beach buffers were used rather than point locations due to the potential for beaches adjacent to known nest sites to also provide suitable nesting habitats. Green sea turtle and Kemp's ridley sea turtle were documented as having 'false crawls' only and no nest counts. Additional nesting and general distribution and seasonality information were provided during interviews with NPS, USFWS, and the VA Aquarium. Distributions for the barking treefrog (VA ST) and chicken turtle (VA SE) were mapped using data provided as part of VDGIF's Wildlife Environmental Review Map Service (WERMS) database. Records of both species were pulled from survey dates between the years 1996 and 2013, with 2013 being the most recent surveys for herpetofauna in the database. The above digital and/or hardcopy sources were compiled by the project biologist to create the HERP 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 HERP data layer are made based on the recommendations of the resource experts, and final hardcopy maps and digital data are created.

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).