gov.noaa.nodc:0163992 eng utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2026-05-05T21:09:34Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Estuarine Living Marine Resources: Southeast Regional Distribution and Abundance (NCEI Accession 0163992) 2017-07-21 publication 2017-07-05 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0163992 NCEI Archive Management System 0163992 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information resourceProvider David M. Nelson NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) david.moe.nelson@noaa.gov https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Mark Monaco NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) mark.monaco@noaa.gov https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Elizabeth Irlandi collaborator Lawrence Settle collaborator Linda Coston-Clements collaborator Nelson, David Moe US DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (NCCOS/CCMA) author Monaco, Mark E. author Coston-Clements, Linda author Settle, Lawrence R. author Irlandi, Elizabeth A. author David M. Nelson NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) david.moe.nelson@noaa.gov https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information pointOfContact NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital This is the original (1991) Southeast regional component of NOAA's Estuarine Living Marine Resources (ELMR) Project, a national database of ecologically and economically important fishes and invertebrates in the Nation's estuaries. The distribution and relative abundance are depicted in a consistent format for 40 species of fishes and invertebrates, in 20 estuaries in coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. Species were selected according to a set of criteria, which consider their commercial, recreational, and ecological value. For each species, five life stages are considered - adults, juveniles, larvae, spawning, and eggs - with some exceptions based on individual species life history. Each estuary is subdivided into one to three salinity zones (Tidal Fresh, Mixing, and Seawater). Relative abundance was ranked on a five-tier scale by month for each life stage of each species, in each salinity zone of each estuary. Details of the methods for the original Southeast ELMR component can be found in Nelson et al. (1991) and Nelson and Monaco (2000). Estuaries are among the most productive natural systems and are important nursery areas that provide food, refuge from predation, and valuable habitat for many species. In spite of the well documented importance of estuaries to fishes and invertebrates, few consistent and comprehensive data bases exist that allow examinations of relationships between estuarine species found in or among groups of estuaries. In 1985, NOAA launched the Estuarine Living Marine Resources (ELMR) Project to develop a consistent database on the distribution, relative abundance, and life history characteristics of ecologically and economically important fishes and invertebrates in the Nation's estuaries. The project applied consistent data development methods to enable comparisons among species, specific life stages, and times of year within estuarine systems. The database is divided into five study regions: West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and North Atlantic. The Nationwide ELMR database now includes information for 153 species found in 122 estuaries and coastal bays. A series of reports have been published which summarize the methods and results of the ELMR Program. These include a National report (2000), regional data summary reports for the North Atlantic (1994), Mid-Atlantic (1994), Southeast (1991), Gulf of Mexico (1992), and West Coast (1990), and regional life history summary reports for the West Coast (1991) and Gulf of Mexico (1997). Copies of these reports are available free upon request, and some are available as pdf. Funding Agency: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0163992 Preview graphic PNG 0163992 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2017-07-03 publication biological data Fish FISH CENSUS FISH SPECIES INVERTEBRATE SPECIES SALINITY theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS biological model output theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS North Atlantic Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS > National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian NCCOS Project No. 107: Estuarine Species Database for the NOAA Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program project Provider Project Names EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > FISH EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > SALINITY/DENSITY > SALINITY theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Marine Spatial Ecology > Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments theme NCCOS Research Areas Derived Data Product theme NCCOS Research Data Types Models/Analysis > Data Analysis > Environmental Modeling Relative Abundance theme Provider Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Geographic Area > Estuaries Marine Protected Area > National Estuarine Research Reserves Marine Protected Area > National Parks Region > East Coast place NCCOS Place Keywords U.S. States and Territories > Florida U.S. States and Territories > Georgia U.S. States and Territories > North Carolina U.S. States and Territories > South Carolina place NCCOS Regions of Study ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Biscayne National Park Canaveral National Seashore Cape Hatteras National Seashore Cape Lookout National Seashore Fort Frederica National Monument Fort Pulaski National Monument Fort Sumter National Monument North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve North Inlet Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve U.S. Southeast Estuaries place Provider Place Names C19ML2 Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: public otherRestrictions Cite as: Nelson, David Moe; Monaco, Mark E.; Coston-Clements, Linda; Settle, Lawrence R.; Irlandi, Elizabeth A. (2017). Estuarine Living Marine Resources: Southeast Regional Distribution and Abundance (NCEI Accession 0163992). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0163992. Accessed [date]. Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. National Estuarine Inventory - Data Atlas, Vol. I: Physical and Hydrologic Characteristics 1985 publication https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/habitat/publications/national_estuarine_inventory_-_ne_region1.pdf HTTPS National Estuarine Inventory - Data Atlas Data Atlas information US DOC; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration https://www.noaa.gov/ HTTPS National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website Institution web page information author National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) https://www.noaa.gov/ HTTPS National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website Institution web page information publisher documentDigital National Estuarine Inventory - Data Atlas 1 NOAA/NOS Strategic Assessment Branch, Rockville MD, 103 p. crossReference sciencePaper Nelson, David M.; Monaco, Mark E.; Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program (U.S.); Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (U.S.); National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (U.S.). 2000. National overview and evolution of NOAA's Estuarine Living Marine Resources (ELMR) Program. NOAA technical memorandum NOS NCCOS CCMA 144. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/1701 2000 publication noaa:1701 https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/1701 HTTPS https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/1701 Journal Article information Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program (U.S.) author Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (U.S.) author National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (U.S.) author Nelson, David M. author Monaco, Mark E. author documentDigital NOAA technical memorandum NOS NCCOS CCMA 144 crossReference sciencePaper Nelson, David M.; United States, National Ocean Service., Strategic Environmental Assessments Division; Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program (U.S.). 1991. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in southeast estuaries. ELMR report no. 9. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/2875 1991 publication noaa:2875 https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/2875 HTTPS https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/2875 ELMR Report Number 9 information United States, National Ocean Service., Strategic Environmental Assessments Division author Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program (U.S.) author Nelson, David M. author documentDigital ELMR report no. 9 crossReference sciencePaper Nelson, David M. (2015). Estuarine Salinity Zones in US East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and US West Coast from 1999-01-01 to 1999-12-31 (NCEI Accession 0127396). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0127396. 2015-04-22 publication NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0127396 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0127396 HTTPS https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0127396 Dataset information Nelson, David M. NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science; Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection Nelson, David Moe; Monaco, Mark; Stone, Steve; Jury, Steve; Field, John; Lowery, Tony; Williams, Chris; Andreasen, Linda (2017). Estuarine Living Marine Resources: Mid-Atlantic Regional Distribution and Abundance (NCEI Accession 0162403). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5445jkv. 2017-04-28 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.7289/v5445jkv NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0162403 https://doi.org/10.7289/v5445jkv HTTPS https://doi.org/10.7289/v5445jkv ELMR Mid-Atlantic Regional Dataset information Nelson, David Moe US DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (NCCOS/CCMA) https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information author Monaco, Mark author Stone, Steve author Jury, Steve author Field, John author Lowery, Tony author Williams, Chris author Andreasen, Linda author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection Nelson, David Moe; Monaco, Mark; Emmett, Robert; Hinton, Susan (2017). Estuarine Living Marine Resources: West Coast Regional Distribution and Abundance (NCEI Accession 0161540). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5pg1ptj. 2017-03-31 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.7289/v5pg1ptj NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0161540 https://doi.org/10.7289/v5pg1ptj HTTPS https://doi.org/10.7289/v5pg1ptj ELMR West Coast Regional Dataset information Nelson, David Moe US DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (NCCOS/CCMA) https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information author Monaco, Mark author Emmett, Robert author Hinton, Susan author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection Nelson, David Moe; Monaco, Mark; Jury, Steve; Field, John; Stone, Steve (2017). Estuarine Living Marine Resources: North Atlantic Regional Distribution and Abundance (NCEI Accession 0162402). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v57w698t. 2017-04-28 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.7289/v57w698t NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0162402 https://doi.org/10.7289/v57w698t HTTPS https://doi.org/10.7289/v57w698t ELMR North Atlantic Regional Dataset information Nelson, David Moe US DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (NCCOS/CCMA) https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information author Monaco, Mark author Jury, Steve author Field, John author Stone, Steve author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection Nelson, David Moe; Monaco, Mark E.; Williams, Christopher D.; Czapla, Thomas E.; Pattillo, Mark E.; Coston-Clements, Linda; Settle, Lawrence R.; Irlandi, Elizabeth A. (2017). Estuarine Living Marine Resources: Gulf of Mexico Regional Distribution and Abundance (NCEI Accession 0163993). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0163993. 2017-07-21 publication NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0163993 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0163993 HTTPS https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0163993 ELMR Gulf of Mexico Regional Dataset information Nelson, David Moe US DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (NCCOS/CCMA) https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information author Monaco, Mark E. author Williams, Christopher D. author Czapla, Thomas E. author Pattillo, Mark E. author Coston-Clements, Linda author Settle, Lawrence R. author Irlandi, Elizabeth A. author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection Sensitivity of Coastal Environments and Wildlife to Spilled Oil: NORTH CAROLINA 1996 publication http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/maps-and-spatial-data/download-esi-maps-and-gis-data.html HTTP Data Map Download Maps and GIS Data download US DOC; NOAA; National Ocean Service author National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) https://www.noaa.gov/ HTTPS National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website Institution web page information publisher documentDigital North Carolina Map NOAA/NOS Office of Response and Restoration crossReference Sensitivity of Coastal Environments and Wildlife to Spilled Oil: GEORGIA 1997 publication http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/maps-and-spatial-data/download-esi-maps-and-gis-data.html HTTP Data Map Download Maps and GIS Data download US DOC; NOAA; National Ocean Service author National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) https://www.noaa.gov/ HTTPS National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website Institution web page information publisher documentDigital Georgia Map NOAA/NOS Office of Response and Restoration crossReference Estuarine Species Database for the NOAA Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program 1985 publication https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/estuarine-species-database-noaa-estuarine-living-marine-resources-program/ HTTPS https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/estuarine-species-database-noaa-estuarine-living-marine-resources-program/ National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) project page information NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) website Institution web page information publisher documentDigital crossReference project Estuarine Living Marine Resources Database (ELMR) publication https://products.coastalscience.noaa.gov/elmr/ HTTPS Web Service Project Web Service search crossReference eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -81.9 -75.4 25.1 36.8 1987-10-01 1991-09-30 A data sheet was developed for each species in each estuary to facilitate the review and presentation of the information. Data compiled for each species/life stage included: (1) the salinity zone(s) it occupies (Tidal Fresh, Mixing, Seawater), (2) its temporal distribution in those zones by month (Jan-Dec), and (3) its relative abundance in those zones. Relative abundance values are ranked as 0 = not present, n = no information available, 2 = rare, 3 = common, 4 = abundant, and 5 = highly abundant. The abundance of a species life stage was considered relative to that of the same life stage of other "similar" species within a "guild", i.e. with similar life modes and sampling susceptibilities. These guilds are: Sessile Invertebrates, Shrimps and Squids, Large Crustaceans, Shallow Water Fishes, Pelagic Fishes, and Demersal Fishes. The draft relative abundance ranking were then verified through an extensive review process utilizing expert knowledge and field experiences of fisheries scientists, managers, and field biologists. The Southeast ELMR project was launched in 1987, and results published in 1991. For a complete description of the methods and results see Nelson et al. (1991) and Nelson and Monaco (2000). The quality and quantity of available data vary by species, life stage, and estuary. In general, data quality is best for well-studied, commercially- and recreationally-harvested species. Data quality regarding salinity zone boundaries may be affected by factors such as variations in freshwater inflow, wind, and tides. The qualitative nature of distributional data precludes statistical comparisons of species abundances. Data reliability was ranked using the following categories and criteria: (1) Highly certain: Substantial sampling data are available, and distribution, behavior, and preferred habitats are well documented within an estuary. (2) Moderately certain: Some sampling data are available for an estuary, and distribution, preferred habitat, and behavior are well documented in similar estuaries. 3) Reasonable inference: Little or no site sampling data are available, but information on distributions, ecology, and preferred habitats are documented in similar estuaries. These rankings of data reliability for each species and estuary are reported in the DATA_RELIABILITY column, and in Table 4 of the ELMR Southeast Report (Nelson et al. 1991). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov pointOfContact In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. Originator data format 3.26 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0163992 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/163992 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/163992 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0110/0163992/ FTP Any FTP client FTP These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). download dataset NCEI Accession 0163992 v1.1 was published. 2017-07-21T23:11:05Z NCEI Accession 0163992 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0163992/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0163992 v1.1 published 2017-07-21T23:11:05Z download dataset Data Type: Relative Abundance (calculated); Units: Relative abundance ranking on a scale of 0 to 5; Observation Type: model output; Sampling Instrument: documentation only - no instrument type; Sampling and Analyzing Method: A data sheet was developed for each species in each estuary to facilitate the review and presentation of the information. Data compiled for each species/life stage included: (1) the salinity zone(s) it occupies (Tidal Fresh, Mixing, Seawater), (2) its temporal distribution in those zones by month (Jan-Dec), and (3) its relative abundance in those zones. Relative abundance values are ranked as 0 = not present, n = no information available, 2 = rare, 3 = common, 4 = abundant, and 5 = highly abundant. The abundance of a species life stage was considered relative to that of the same life stage of other "similar" species within a "guild", i.e. with similar life modes and sampling susceptibilities. These guilds are: Sessile Invertebrates, Shrimps and Squids, Large Crustaceans, Shallow Water Fishes, Pelagic Fishes, and Demersal Fishes. The draft relative abundance ranking were then verified through an extensive review process utilizing expert knowledge and field experiences of fisheries scientists, managers, and field biologists. The Southeast ELMR project was launched in 1987, and results published in 1991. For a complete description of the methods and results see Nelson et al. (1991) and Nelson and Monaco (2000).; Data Quality Information: The quality and quantity of available data vary by species, life stage, and estuary. In general, data quality is best for well-studied, commercially- and recreationally-harvested species. Data quality regarding salinity zone boundaries may be affected by factors such as variations in freshwater inflow, wind, and tides. The qualitative nature of distributional data precludes statistical comparisons of species abundances. Data reliability was ranked using the following categories and criteria: (1) Highly certain: Substantial sampling data are available, and distribution, behavior, and preferred habitats are well documented within an estuary. (2) Moderately certain: Some sampling data are available for an estuary, and distribution, preferred habitat, and behavior are well documented in similar estuaries. 3) Reasonable inference: Little or no site sampling data are available, but information on distributions, ecology, and preferred habitats are documented in similar estuaries. These rankings of data reliability for each species and estuary are reported in the DATA_RELIABILITY column, and in Table 4 of the ELMR Southeast Report (Nelson et al. 1991) Data Type: NCCOS Keywords (calculated); Units: n/a; Observation Type: other; Sampling Instrument: n/a; Data Quality Information: NCCOS Research Priority > Marine Spatial Ecology (MSE) NCCOS Research Topic > Ecological/Biological Characterization NCCOS Research Location > Region > East Coast NCCOS Research Location > U.S. States and Territories > North Carolina NCCOS Research Location > U.S. States and Territories > South Carolina NCCOS Research Location > U.S. States and Territories > Georgia NCCOS Research Location > U.S. States and Territories > Florida NCCOS Research Location > Geographic Area > Estuaries NCCOS Research Location > Marine Protected Area > National Estuarine Research Reserves NCCOS Research Location > Marine Protected Area > National Parks NCCOS Research Data Type > Derived Data Product asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian