gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:39359 eng UTF8 dataset National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science resourceProvider NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov pointOfContact 2026-03-04T19:17:21 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) complex 269271 Kelp distribution off California kelp_ca.shp 2004 publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 39359 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39359 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information Clark, Randy 228-688-3732 1021 Balch Blvd Stennis Space Center MS 39529 randy.clark@noaa.gov principalInvestigator https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/e33_cinms/data/Chap_2_Data/kelp_ca.zip WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link California Kelp Distribution Shapefile, 81 Downloadable Data download This data set delineates kelp beds (Nereocystis leutkeana and Macrocystis spp.) along the Pacific Coast of California. Multiple years of kelp mapping data for the state have been compiled into a single coastwide data set. Due to variability in oceanographic and climatic conditions, kelp bed abundance and distribution is extremely variable from year to year. Therefore kelp bed locations and extent in a particular year may not reflect current or past conditions. In addition, the methods for mapping kelp in California have changed over time. Despite these caveats, this multi-year kelp coverage can be used to identify areas that have been known to support kelp growth, and investigate general patterns of kelp distribution on a coastwide scale.California has three coastal kelp surveys. The first survey, 1989, was a coastwide survey using the same contractor and method as Washington State. Kelp canopy data from the second survey, 1999, was created from digital image processing of scanned aerial photographs. The 2002 survey was performed with a Digital Multispectral Video (DMSV) sensor and kelp beds were delineated by digital image processing techniques. These data were developed for Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service Northwest Region and the Pacific Fishery Management Council in support of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider the designation and conservation of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Pacific Coast Groundfish. These data were consolidated and integrated in a GIS format to support spatially explicit groundfish habitat modelling and impacts assessment on a coastwide scale. Cooperators and funders who contributed to development of these data, include Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, and National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Northwest Region, and Southwest Region. completed NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov pointOfContact NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov custodian unknown EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MACROALGAE (SEAWEEDS) > BROWN ALGAE EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > COMMUNITY DYNAMICS > COMMUNITY STRUCTURE EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS > SPECIES/POPULATION INTERACTIONS > USE/FEEDING HABITATS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > PELAGIC EARTH SCIENCE > HUMAN DIMENSIONS > ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE/MANAGEMENT > ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 17.0 EARTH SCIENCE SERVICES > MODELS > DYNAMIC VEGETATION/ECOSYSTEM MODELS service Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Service Keywords 17.0 CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > CALIFORNIA place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 20.8 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 Environmental Monitoring theme NOS Data Explorer Topic Category Macrocysits Nereocystis coastal essential fish habitat (EFH) kelp marine plant theme California Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Northwest Pacific Ocean place 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 2017-04-24 publication 8.5 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. 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 CINMS_Assessment project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, [Date of Access]: Kelp distribution off California [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39359. NOAA provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incomplete, incorrect, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data is suitable for the intended purpose. otherRestrictions Access Constraints: None otherRestrictions Use Constraints: None otherRestrictions Distribution Liability: Unknown unclassified NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 39359 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nos/nccos/dmp/pdf/39359.pdf WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. information crossReference vector eng; US environment oceans Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.0.0.535 -124.397359 -116.826846 32.520358 40.475111 | Currentness: Ground Condition 1989 2002 false eng false kelp_ca 2018-07-12 publication Shapefile Uncompressed NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov distributor 81 https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/e33_cinms/data/Chap_2_Data/kelp_ca.zip WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/e33_cinms/data/Chap_2_Data/kelp_ca.zip Downloadable Data download dataset Accuracy Final habitat codes were reviewed for conformance to the list of all potential species codes. The absolute accuracy of species identification is dependent upon the source data and was not validated for this multi-year data compilation. Horizontal Positional Accuracy Horizontal accuracy was not assessed, so the positional accuracy is unknown. Completeness Report Data are generally comprehensive for the marine nearshore area off the California Coast of the United States. West Coast estuaries (including San Francisco Bay and smaller coastal estuaries) are not included. The 1989 kelp survey in California was comprehensive, but the surveys in 1999 and 2002 did not cover the entire coastline. Conceptual Consistency Kelp bed distribution and abundance are highly variable between years. Therefore, kelp bed locations and extent in a particular year may not reflect current or past conditions. The use of various techniques means that the delineation of a kelp bed is not necessarily consistent over time. These variations include: the level of generalization of kelp bed boundaries, the inclusion or omission of water polygons entirely contained within a kelp polygon, and the minimum kelp bed detected and delineated (i.e., minimum mapping unit). In addition, surveys were not comprehensive for all years mapped. California Kelp Data Processing:1989 and 2002 data were provided as a single shape file for each year. Processing of these two shape files included conversion to ArcInfo coverage format, projecting to West Coast Albers projection, dropping extraneous items, and adding an item for species code. Species code for all polygons was set to unspecified because species was not identified in California kelp surveys. (Macrocystis pyrifera is the predominant species, but there is some Nereocystis as well).1999 coastwide data were provided as 72 separate shape files. Processing for each shape file included, conversion to ArcInfo coverage format, projecting to West Coast Albers projection, dropping extraneous items, adding species code and setting it to unspecified or none (based on source file grid-code attribute), and dissolving all polygons on species code.After individual year processing, all three annual coverages were combined into one multi-year coverage using ArcInfo UNION command. Added item for data source and set it to 'CDFG'. 2003-01-01T00:00:00 Source Contribution: Provide delineation of kelp polygons for areas off California. | Source Geospatial Form: vector digital data | Type of Source Media: digital files provided by ftp California Coastal Kelp Resources Survey, 1989, 1999, 2002 2002-01-01 publication California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region GIS Lab http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Source Citation URL Source Citation URL information 1989