gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:39597 eng UTF8 dataset National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science resourceProvider NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov pointOfContact 2025-05-15T19:16:09 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Ground Truth Data Used to Map the Benthic Habitat of the U.S. Virgin Islands usvi_ground_truth 2001-12-01 publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 39597 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39597 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information Kendall, Matt matt.kendall@noaa.gov principalInvestigator https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/ccma/biogeo/benthic/gtp/vi_gt.txt WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Online Resource download https://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/benthic/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Online Resource download https://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/benthic/data/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Online Resource download tableDigital 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. 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 completed NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov pointOfContact NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov custodian notPlanned SAV aerial photography benthic coral environmental monitoring habitat mangrove oceans reef seagrass theme St. Croix St. John St. Thomas U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone U.S. Virgin Islands 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 VI_PR_benthic project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, [Date of Access]: Ground Truth Data Used to Map the Benthic Habitat of the U.S. Virgin Islands [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39597. 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: Data are not to be used for navigation. unclassified NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 39597 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nos/nccos/dmp/pdf/39597.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 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 3; ESRI ArcCatalog 8.3.0.800 -65.09 -64.43 17.63 18.41 | Currentness: Publication Date 1999 2001 The Ground Truth Points are available in a spreadsheet format. false eng false 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 Text (Tab Delimited) NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov distributor https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/ccma/biogeo/benthic/gtp/vi_gt.txt WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/datasets/ccma/biogeo/benthic/gtp/vi_gt.txt Downloadable Data download dataset Accuracy 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. Horizontal Positional Accuracy Spatial data meets or exceeds national map accuracy standards for fixed features. Vertical Positional Accuracy 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. Completeness Report 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. Conceptual Consistency 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. 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 Source Contribution: This document identifies the zone and habitat types attributed in the data set. | Source Geospatial Form: document | Type of Source Media: Report Classification Scheme for Benthic Habitats: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 2001-01-01 publication NOAA Caribbean Fishery Management CouncilDr. Ken Lindeman, Environmental DefenseNOS Biogeography Program 2001