39597
Ground Truth Data Used to Map the Benthic Habitat of the U.S. Virgin Islands
usvi_ground_truth
Data Set
Published / External
37210
VI_PR_benthic
Project
Completed
2001-12-01
This project is a cooperative effort among the National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment; U.S. Geological Survey; National Park Service; and the National Geophysical Data Center to produce benthic habitat maps and georeferenced imagery for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This project was conducted in support of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. These point data were generated while conducting ground validation during map preparation.
The National Ocean Service is conducting research to digitally map biotic resources and coordinate a long-term monitoring program that can detect and predict change in U.S. coral reefs, and their associated habitats and biological communities.
884
The Ground Truth Points are available in a spreadsheet format.
Theme
ISO 19115 Topic Category
environment
Theme
ISO 19115 Topic Category
oceans
Theme
SAV
Theme
aerial photography
Theme
benthic
Theme
coral
Theme
environmental monitoring
Theme
habitat
Theme
mangrove
Theme
oceans
Theme
reef
Theme
seagrass
Spatial
St. Croix
Spatial
St. John
Spatial
St. Thomas
Spatial
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone
Spatial
U.S. Virgin Islands
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
Silver Spring
MD
Data Set
None Planned
Table (digital)
tab delimited text files; UTM Zone 19 coordinates; habitat type; dominant benthic elements are listed
Benthic features were assigned one of twenty-six habitat types ranging from sand to coral. A complete description of these classification categories can be found at http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/benthic/htm/manual.aspx
Data are not to be used for navigation.
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, University of Puerto Rico, United States Geological Survey, National Park Service, Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division Fish and Wildlife, University of Virgin Islands, Conservation Data Center, The Nature Conservancy, Sea Grant, and other local and regional experts for input and review
Data Steward
2001-12-01
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Distributor
2001-12-01
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Metadata Contact
2001-12-01
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Point of Contact
2001-12-01
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Principal Investigator
2001-12-01
Person
Kendall, Matt
matt.kendall@noaa.gov
Publication Date
-65.09
-64.43
18.41
17.63
Range
1999
2001
Yes
Unclassified
None
None
http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/ccma/biogeo/benthic/gtp/vi_gt.txt
Downloadable Data
Tab delimited text file
Text (Tab Delimited)
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/benthic/
Online Resource
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/benthic/data/
Online Resource
http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/ccma/biogeo/benthic/gtp/vi_gt.txt
Online Resource
2013-09-11
Date that the source FGDC record was last modified.
2017-04-05
Converted from FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (version FGDC-STD-001-1998) using 'fgdc_to_inport_xml.pl' script. Contact Tyler Christensen (NOS) for details.
2017-09-13
Partial upload of Spatial Info section only.
2017-11-01
Replaced entire Lineage section to populate new Source Contribution field.
2018-02-08
Partial upload of Positional Accuracy fields only.
Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 8.3.0.800
Habitat type(s), zone, approximate depth, position (GPS), image number, and other descriptive information were recorded at each site. Field data for each site was then compiled into a text table with a latitude/longitude field to allow overlay of the field information on the mosaic and habitat polygons. Once data were entered into spreadsheet format a careful review was conducted to ensure that all labels were complete and accurate.
Spatial data meets or exceeds national map accuracy standards for fixed features.
Depth values are reported in feet from water surface. Values should be considered estimates only. In some cases, no estimate of depth could be provided.
Following processing of the field data, polygon boundaries and habitat classifications were created or revised where necessary, and zone attributes were assigned to each polygon using the Habitat Digitizer Extension. This draft of the habitat maps was then reviewed and revised with the guidance of a panel of local experts at peer review sessions in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and over the Internet. Review session participants included members of the local research and management community. During these peer review sessions, particular attention was given to polygons labeled as "unknown" and areas not visited during ground truth activities. Revisions based on comments from local experts were then completed and final habitat maps were produced.
Diapositives, and when available, draft delineations were used in the field to facilitate comparison of signatures in the imagery to actual habitats at each site. Individual sites were visually evaluated by snorkeling and free diving or directly from the boat in shallow, clear water. Where depth and water clarity permitted, the diapositives were used to navigate across multiple bottom features allowing continuous confirmation of habitat types and transitions between each site.
Classification Scheme for Benthic Habitats: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
NOAA Caribbean Fishery Management CouncilDr. Ken Lindeman, Environmental DefenseNOS Biogeography Program
2001-01-01
Discrete
2001
This document identifies the zone and habitat types attributed in the data set. | Source Geospatial Form: document | Type of Source Media: Report
1
Following careful evaluation of the aerial photography, and in some cases creation of a "first draft" habitat map, selected sites were visited in the field for typological validation. This validation included: (1) areas in the aerial photography and mosaic with confusing or difficult to interpret signatures, (2) transects across many representative habitat types occurring in different depths and water conditions, (3) a survey of the Zones, and (4) confirmation of preliminary habitat delineations if a first draft was produced. Navigation to field sites was accomplished in a variety of ways including uploading position coordinates from the mosaic into an onboard GPS and navigating to those waypoints, using an onboard PC connected to a GPS allowing navigation using digital nautical charts or the mosaic, and visual navigation using landmarks visible in the diapositives. On most, occasions, field activities were conducted with the guidance of local experts.Diapositives, and when available, draft delineations were used in the field to facilitate comparison of signatures in the imagery to actual habitats at each site. Individual sites were visually evaluated by snorkeling and free diving or directly from the boat in shallow, clear water. Habitat transitions were evaluated by swimming transects across habitat types to further guide placement of polygon boundaries. Habitat type(s), zone, approximate depth, position (GPS), image number, and other descriptive information were recorded at each site. Field data for each site was then compiled into a text table with a latitude/longitude field to allow overlay of the field information on the mosaic and habitat polygons. Where depth and water clarity permitted, the diapositives were used to navigate across multiple bottom features allowing continuous confirmation of habitat types and transitions between each site. Following processing of the field data, polygon boundaries and habitat classifications were created or revised, and zone attributes were assigned to each polygon.
2000-01-01T00:00:00
gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:39597
Tyler Christensen
2017-04-05T12:53:26
SysAdmin InPortAdmin
2023-10-17T16:12:12
2018-02-08
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
NCCOS
1002
Public
No
2018-02-08
1 Year
2019-02-08