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Distribution Info
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Data Quality
Lineage
Catalog Details

Summary

ESI Browse Graphic

Short Citation
Office of Response and Restoration, 2024: East Florida 2020 ESI INVERT Polygons, Lines, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/67170.
Full Citation Examples

Abstract

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for seagrass, coral reef, hard-bottom communities, and deep-sea coral for East Florida. Vector polygons in this data set represent seagrass, coral, and hard-bottom community 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 Florida. 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. Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) is more properly known as 'Sensitivity of Coastal Habitats and Wildlife to Spilled Oil' Atlases. The term 'ESI' is often used in reference to the whole dataset, but the term 'ESI' is really a reference to the classification system of shoreline types known as Environmental Sensitivity Index, that classifies a shoreline on a scale from 1 to 10 based upon overall sensitivity to spilled oil. FWRI contracted out updates for the East Florida ESI area of interest, with the exception of Human Use data, in 2019. These datasets were delivered as feature classes in overlapping-polygon format following the NOAA ESI Data Standard. The East Florida ESI data format is consistent with the previously delivered ESI data.

Distribution Information

Access Constraints:

These data are unrestricted. Where possible, always acquire this dataset directly from FWC as other sources may have altered the original 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. The ESI databases were developed to provide summary information on sensitive natural and human-use resources for the purposes of oil spill planning, environmental planning, and natural resource management. Although the ESI data should be a valuable planning and resource management tool, they should not be used to the exclusion of other pertinent data or information held by state or federal agencies or other organizations. Likewise, these data cannot be used in place of consultations with environmental, natural resource, and cultural resource agencies, or in place of field surveys. Also, these data and any related map products should not be used for navigation. Recognize that the information contained in the ESI databases 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, archaeological sites, etc. For more information or guidance on proper and improper uses of these data, please contact the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and Research Planning, Inc. Acknowledgement of the publishers, contributors, and sources listed in the Data_Set_Credit (below) and Lineage section of this document would be appreciated in products derived from or utilizing these data. Users are encouraged to read and fully comprehend the metadata record prior to using these data. Please acknowledge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as the data source for any products developed from these data. Users should be aware that comparison with other data sets for the same area from other time periods may be inaccurate due to inconsistencies resulting from changes in mapping conventions, data collection, and computer processes over time. FWC shall not be liable for improper or incorrect use of this data. These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such. This is not a survey data set and should not be utilized as such. These data are not to be used for navigation. Besides the above warnings, there are no use constraints on these data.

Controlled Theme Keywords

BENTHIC, biota, environment, OIL SPILLS

Child Items

No Child Items for this record.

Contact Information

Point of Contact
ESI Program Manager
orr.esi@noaa.gov

Metadata Contact
ESI Program Manager
orr.esi@noaa.gov

Extents

Geographic Area 1

-81.91765° W, -76.59313° E, 30.77805° N, 26.36432° S

Time Frame 1
2017 - 2020

The data were compiled during 2017-2020. The currentness dates for this data range from 2000 to 2020 and are documented in the Lineage section.

Item Identification

Title: East Florida 2020 ESI INVERT Polygons, Lines
Status: Completed
Publication Date: 2020-03
Abstract:

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for seagrass, coral reef, hard-bottom communities, and deep-sea coral for East Florida. Vector polygons in this data set represent seagrass, coral, and hard-bottom community 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 Florida. 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. Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) is more properly known as 'Sensitivity of Coastal Habitats and Wildlife to Spilled Oil' Atlases. The term 'ESI' is often used in reference to the whole dataset, but the term 'ESI' is really a reference to the classification system of shoreline types known as Environmental Sensitivity Index, that classifies a shoreline on a scale from 1 to 10 based upon overall sensitivity to spilled oil. FWRI contracted out updates for the East Florida ESI area of interest, with the exception of Human Use data, in 2019. These datasets were delivered as feature classes in overlapping-polygon format following the NOAA ESI Data Standard. The East Florida ESI data format is consistent with the previously delivered ESI data.

Purpose:

The ESI data provide sensitive areas data for oil spill planning and response and other environmental management and natural resource purposes. The Clean Water Act with amendments by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 requires response plans for immediate and effective protection of sensitive areas. These data also support other related state and federal regulatory requirements for oil spill prevention, planning, response, and restoration.

Notes:

[THIS FIELD IS FOR INTERNAL NOTES AS NEEDED. IT WILL NOT BE VIEWABLE IN THE PUBLIC METADATA RECORD.]

Other Citation Details:

Prepared by Research Planning, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina for the Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), St. Petersburg, Florida

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 BENTHIC
None Coastal Resources
None Coastal Zone Management
None Environmental Monitoring
None Environmental Sensitivity Index
None ESI
None Oil spill planning
None Sensitivity maps

Spatial Keywords

Thesaurus Keyword
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > FLORIDA
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO
UNCONTROLLED
None Atlantic Ocean
None East Florida
None Florida

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:

A 5-year update cycle is planned with some maintenance and field verification likely on an annual basis

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

In addition to the geographic data layers, six relational attribute or data tables, BIORES, BREED, SEASONAL, SOURCES, SPECIES, and STATUS, are used to store the complex biological data in the ESI data structure. The geographic data layer containing biological resource information (in this case, BENTHIC) is linked to the Biological Resources table (BIORES) using RARNUM. The RARNUM represents a unique combination of species, seasonalities, concentrations, and source information. For each of these groupings, a number is generated. BIORES and the other relational data tables are described below in detail. See the Browse_Graphic section for a link to the entity-relationship diagram, which describes the way these tables relate to the geographic data layers and other attribute tables in the ESI data structure.

Entity Attribute Detail Citation:

A complete description of entity types, attributes, and attribute values for ESI atlases can be found in the NOAA ESI Guidelines.

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

This data set is in the public domain, and the recipient may not assert any proprietary rights thereto nor represent it to anyone as other than a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission produced data set; it is provided 'as-is' without warranty of any kind, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The user assumes all responsibility for the accuracy and suitability of this data set for a specific application. In no event will the staff of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission be liable for any damages, including lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of or the inability to use this data set.

Data Set Credit: This project was supported by the Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Timyn Rice with FWRI served as contract and technical manager for the project. Timyn Rice, Christi Santi, Ryan Druyor, Latosha Thompson, Chris Boland, Ryan Druyor and other FWRI staff contributed significantly to the project, as did many other individuals from several state and federal agencies and other organizations. At Research Planning, Inc. in Columbia, South Carolina, numerous scientific and staff were involved with different phases of the project. Mark White, GIS Director, and Christine Boring, Biology Dept. Manager, were co-Project Managers. The ESI shoreline was classified by Jennifer Horsman, Lee Diveley, and Katy Beckham. The biological data were collected and compiled by Christine Boring, Lauren Szathmary, Jennifer Weaver, and Lincoln Smith. Katy Beckham, Lee Diveley, Jeff Dahlin, and Chris Locke produced the GIS data and final metadata documents.

Support Roles

Data Steward

CC ID: 1170525
Date Effective From: 2018
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: 1170526
Date Effective From: 2019
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: 1170527
Date Effective From: 2018
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: 1170528
Date Effective From: 2018
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 Description:

This reflects the extent of all land and water features included in the Eastern Florida 2020 ESI area of interest (AOI). The bounding box for each feature class may vary depending on occurrences identified and mapped.

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 1170550
W° Bound: -81.91765
E° Bound: -76.59313
N° Bound: 30.77805
S° Bound: 26.36432

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 1170549
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2017
End: 2020
Description:

The data were compiled during 2017-2020. The currentness dates for this data range from 2000 to 2020 and are documented in the Lineage section.

Spatial Information

Spatial Resolution

Level of Detail Description:

[NOTE: IN "VECTOR REPRESENTATION" SECTION BELOW, TOPOLOGY LEVEL IS CONSIDERED "Geometry Only", POLYGONS ARE CONSIDERED AS "Complex Objects", LINES ARE CONSIDERED AS "Curve Objects", AND POINTS ARE CONSIDERED AS "Point Objects". ONLY THE OBJECT TYPES IN THE FEATURE DATA SET SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED. THE COUNTS OF EACH TYPE OF OBJECT IN THE FEATURE DATA SET SHOULD BE RECORDED (1 TO N), AFTER PROCESSING BY NOAA INTO THE FINAL ESI GEODATABASE.]

Spatial Representation

Representations Used

Grid: No
Vector: Yes
Text / Table: Yes
TIN: No
Stereo Model: No
Video: No

Vector Representation 1

CC ID: 1170537
Topology Level: Geometry Only
Complex Object Present?: Yes
Complex Object Count: 21
Composite Object Present?: No
Curve Object Present?: No
Point Object Present?: No
Solid Object Present?: No
Surface Object Present?: No

Reference Systems

Reference System 1

CC ID: 1170538

Coordinate Reference System

CRS Type: Geographic 2D
EPSG Code: EPSG:4269
EPSG Name: NAD83
See Full Coordinate Reference System Information

Horizontal Resolution

Horizontal Encoding Method: Latitude and Longitude
Latitude Resolution: 1.0E-8
Longitude Resolution: 1.0E-8
Horizontal Units: Decimal Degrees

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:

These data are unrestricted. Where possible, always acquire this dataset directly from FWC as other sources may have altered the original data.

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. The ESI databases were developed to provide summary information on sensitive natural and human-use resources for the purposes of oil spill planning, environmental planning, and natural resource management. Although the ESI data should be a valuable planning and resource management tool, they should not be used to the exclusion of other pertinent data or information held by state or federal agencies or other organizations. Likewise, these data cannot be used in place of consultations with environmental, natural resource, and cultural resource agencies, or in place of field surveys. Also, these data and any related map products should not be used for navigation. Recognize that the information contained in the ESI databases 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, archaeological sites, etc. For more information or guidance on proper and improper uses of these data, please contact the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and Research Planning, Inc. Acknowledgement of the publishers, contributors, and sources listed in the Data_Set_Credit (below) and Lineage section of this document would be appreciated in products derived from or utilizing these data. Users are encouraged to read and fully comprehend the metadata record prior to using these data. Please acknowledge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as the data source for any products developed from these data. Users should be aware that comparison with other data sets for the same area from other time periods may be inaccurate due to inconsistencies resulting from changes in mapping conventions, data collection, and computer processes over time. FWC shall not be liable for improper or incorrect use of this data. These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such. This is not a survey data set and should not be utilized as such. These data are not to be used for navigation. Besides the above warnings, there are no use constraints on these data.

Metadata Access Constraints:

None

Metadata Use Constraints:

None

Distribution Information

Distribution 1

CC ID: 1170529
Start Date: 2020
End Date: Present
Download URL: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/esi_download
Distributor: Office of Response and Restoration (ORR) (2019 - Present)
File Name: East_Florida_2020_GDB.zip
Description:

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

File Date/Time: 2018-04-04 00:00:00
File Type (Deprecated): Arc Geodatabase
Distribution Format: ESRI File Geodatabase
File Size: None
Application Version: 10.7
Compression: Zip

URLs

URL 1

CC ID: 1170530
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 2

CC ID: 1170531
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 3

CC ID: 1170532
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:

Depicts the relationships between the spatial data layers and the attribute data tables for the Northwest Peninsular Florida ESI data.

Activity Log

Activity Log 1

CC ID: 1170533
Activity Date/Time: 2020-03
Activity Type: Metadata Review
Description:

Contact_Person: GISLibrarian

Contact_Organization:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Contact_Position: GIS Data Librarian

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address:

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue Southeast

City: St. Petersburg

State_or_Province: Florida

Postal_Code: 33701

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (727) 896-8626

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (727) 893-1679

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: GISLibrarian@MyFWC.com

Technical Environment

Description:

The software packages used to develop the atlas are Environmental Systems Research Institute's ArcGIS for Desktop 10.7.1(R) and SQL SERVER(R) (version 2019). The hardware configuration is PC's with Windows Operating System 10. The following Geodatabase Feature Classes are included in the data set: aoi, benthic, birds, birdspt, esil, esip, fish, herp, hydrol, hydrop, invert, m_mammal, managed_poly, nav_marine_point, political_line, political_point, political_poly, resource_point, resource_poly, socecon_line, socecon_point, socecon_poly, and t_mammal. Associated relational and desktop data tables are biores, breed, seasonal, soc_dat, sources, species, and status.

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. 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.

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 digital survey and model data and expert knowledge on seagrass, coral, and hard-bottom community distribution. These data do not necessarily represent all benthic occurrences in East Florida. The following species are included in this data set: (Species_ID, Common Name, Scientific Name [n/a if not applicable]): 14, Lobed star coral, Orbicella annularis; 15, Mountainous star coral, Orbicella faveolata; 16, Boulder star coral, Orbicella franksi; 17, Coral and rock, n/a; 18, Acropora spp., Acropora spp.; 85, Seagrass, n/a; 253, Hardbottom reef, n/a; 1034, Coral patch reef, n/a; 1078, Aggregate reef, n/a; 1174, Johnson's seagrass, Halophila johnsonii; 1183, Deep sea coral, 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 ESI manager, where the data are written to CD-ROM and the metadata are written. RARNUM's are defined on an element basis, so 'resources at risk' groupings will contain only a single element.

Lineage

Lineage Statement:

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.

Sources

Florida Fish and Wildlife Comission

CC ID: 1170540
Contact Role Type: Originator
Contact Type: Organization
Contact Name: Florida Fish and Wildlife Comission
Extent Type: Discrete
Extent Start Date/Time: 2009
Source Contribution:

BENTHIC INFORMATION

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION - FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

CC ID: 1170541
Contact Role Type: Originator
Contact Type: Organization
Contact Name: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION - FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Extent Type: Discrete
Extent Start Date/Time: 2016
Source Contribution:

BENTHIC INFORMATION

FLORIDA NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY (FNAI)

CC ID: 1170542
Contact Role Type: Originator
Contact Type: Organization
Contact Name: FLORIDA NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY (FNAI)
Extent Type: Discrete
Extent Start Date/Time: 2019
Source Contribution:

BENTHIC INFORMATION

LOXAHATCHEE RIVER DISTRICT

CC ID: 1170543
Contact Role Type: Originator
Contact Type: Organization
Contact Name: LOXAHATCHEE RIVER DISTRICT
Extent Type: Discrete
Extent Start Date/Time: 2019

National Marine Fisheries Service

CC ID: 1170539
Contact Role Type: Originator
Contact Type: Organization
Contact Name: National Marine Fisheries Service
Extent Type: Discrete
Extent Start Date/Time: 2019

ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SJRWMD)

CC ID: 1170544
Contact Role Type: Originator
Contact Type: Organization
Contact Name: ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SJRWMD)
Extent Type: Discrete
Extent Start Date/Time: 2017

Process Steps

Process Step 1

CC ID: 1170545
Description:

Two main sources of data were used to depict benthic habitats distribution and seasonality for this data layer: 1) digital survey and model data from NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), St. Johns River Water Management District, and Loxahatchee River District, and 2) personal interviews with resource experts. Deep sea coral habitat – Predictive models showing habitat suitability for 18 species of deep-sea corals were provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. All species were combined and mapped as ‘deep sea coral’ in the ESI atlas. Areas that had a ‘high’ or ‘very high’ likelihood of containing deepwater corals are combined into the ESI concentration ‘highly likely’. Areas that are categorized as having ‘medium-low’ to ‘medium’ likelihood are combined into the ESI concentration ‘potential’. The species aggregated as ‘deep sea corals’ include Lophelia pertusa, Madrepora spp., Madracis spp., Callogorgia spp., Bebryce spp., Hypnogorgia spp., the families Ellisellidae, Gorgoniidae, Paramuriceidae, Plexauridae, the orders Alcyonacea, Scleractinia (except Oculina spp.), and Antipatharia.

Process Date/Time: 2020-03-01 00:00:00
Process Contact: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC-FWRI)
Phone (Voice): (727)-896-8626
Source: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION - FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Process Step 2

CC ID: 1170547
Description:

Additionally, coral points from the NOAA Deep Sea Coral Database were mapped as 500 m buffered polygons. Only coral points from the same taxa as those from the predictive model were included in the atlas, and points that had accuracies greater than 1000 m or had survey dates older than 50 years were excluded. Nearshore coral habitat – Nearshore coral habitat was provided by FWC as part of their Unified Reef Map v2.0. All classes in the Unified Reef Map that corresponded to some kind of coral or hardbottom habitat were included. In an effort to simplify the classifications, some of the Unified Reef Map classes were aggregated into single ESI classifications. These groupings are listed as follows, with ESI classification listed first, followed by each ESI classification's Unified Reef Map classes: coral patch reef: individual or aggregated patch reef; aggregate reef: aggregate reef, spur and groove; hardbottom reef: ridge, colonized pavement; scattered coral and rock: scattered coral/rock. Acropora and Orbicella corals – Corals that are listed with state or federal protection statuses were mapped in the ESI. These include boulder star coral (Orbicella franksi, FT, ST), mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata, FT, ST), lobed star coral (Orbicella annularis, FT, ST), elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata, FT, ST), and staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis, FT, ST). The three Orbicella species were mapped as 50 m buffers around survey points using data provided by FWC as part of their Florida Reef Resilience Program's Disturbance Response Monitoring (2005-2018). Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis were mapped as Acropora spp. in the ESI using data from FWC’s Acropora Priority Sites dataset. Seagrass – Seagrasses are a vitally important habitat within the estuaries and bays of Florida, forming the basis of a rich, diverse, and incredibly productive ecosystem. There are three species of seagrass that are most abundant within the purview of the East Florida ESI: Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii), turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), and manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme). Additionally, three other species are found sparsely, and primarily in the Indian River Lagoon: star grass (Halophila engelmannii), paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), and Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). The most significant seagrass beds are found in the Indian River Lagoon, which suffered significant die-offs in 2011 due to deadly algal blooms but have seen recovery in recent years. In order to capture the potential recovery of these important habitats, a compilation of five years of mapping data (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017) was used, with concentrations of ‘continuous’ and ‘patchy’ indicating areas with greater than 50% coverage of seagrass and areas with less than 50% coverage, respectively. South of Indian River Lagoon, seagrass was mapped from a compilation dataset provided by FWC, in which mapped seagrass reflects data from the most recent survey for any given area, spanning surveys dates from 2007 to 2015. Johnson’s seagrass – Johnson’s seagrass (FT, ST) was mapped from three data sources: the NOAA designated critical habitat, expert knowledge of seagrass range, and survey maps produced by the Loxahatchee River District. Note that surveys for Johnson’s seagrass are not comprehensive and that any seagrass beds south of the mouth of Turkey Creek in Palm Bay in the Indian River Lagoon have the potential to contain Johnson’s seagrass.

Process Date/Time: 2020-03-01 00:00:00
Process Contact: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC-FWRI)
Phone (Voice): (727)-896-8626
Source: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION - FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Process Step 3

CC ID: 1170546
Description:

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: 2020-03-01 00:00:00
Process Contact: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC-FWRI)
Phone (Voice): (727)-896-8626
Source: FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION - FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Catalog Details

Catalog Item ID: 67170
GUID: gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:67170
Metadata Record Created By: Adam Rotert
Metadata Record Created: 2022-05-05 16:03+0000
Metadata Record Last Modified By: SysAdmin InPortAdmin
Metadata Record Last Modified: 2023-10-17 16:12+0000
Metadata Record Published: 2022-11-21
Owner Org: ORR
Metadata Publication Status: Published Externally
Do Not Publish?: N
Metadata Last Review Date: 2022-11-21
Metadata Review Frequency: 1 Year
Metadata Next Review Date: 2023-11-21