Benthic habitat (physical structure)

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Lineage

Identification_Information:

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.1.0.780

Description:

Abstract:

This data set contains the dominant physical structure type derived from benthic habitat data for the island of Guam, which was developed between June 2004 and September 2005. This benthic habitat data set was developed as part of the Guam Coastal Atlas (www.uog.edu/marinelab/coastal.atlas/), which provides updated coastal information for the island of Guam. The benthic habitat data set developed by the NOAA Biogeography Team between 2003 and 2004 served as the starting point for the development of this data set. An enhanced level of detail was achieved with this data set by using pan-sharpened IKONOS imagery as a base layer for feature digitization and by using a smaller minimum map unit than that used for the development of the NOAA Biogeography Team benthic habitat data set. A significant number of additional ground-truthing points were also collected throughout the development of the data set. As of the publication time of this data set, a final accuracy assessment had not been performed and thus the accuracy of any changes made to the original NOAA Biogeography Team data set have not been verified.This data set was developed for the Guam

Purpose:

This data set was developed for the Guam Coastal Atlas Project and is intended to serve as the primary source of benthic habitat information for the island of Guam.

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

David R. Burdick, 2004-2007 NOAA Pacific Islands Assistant for Guam

Publication_Date: February, 2006

Title: Benthic habitat (physical structure)

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

Edition: First

Online_Linkage: www.uog.edu/marinelab/coastal.atlas/

Originator: University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Time_Period_of_Content:

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 2001

Beginning_Time: unknown

Ending_Date: 2004

Ending_Time: unknown

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Unknown

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: 144.599648

East_Bounding_Coordinate: 144.972700

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 13.669406

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 13.222290

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints: This data is not to be used for navigational purposes.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Contact_Person: Barry Smith

Contact_Position: Director

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (671) 735-2175

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (671) 734-6767

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: bdsmith@uog9.uog.edu

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

City: Mangilao

State_or_Province: GU

Postal_Code: 96923

Country: Guam/USA

Address: Marine Laboratory

Address: University of Guam

Data_Set_Credit:

David R. Burdick, 2004-2007 NOAA Pacific Islands Assistant for Guam

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword: dominant structure

Theme_Keyword: dominant structure

Theme_Keyword: benthic habitat

Theme_Keyword: reef

Theme_Keyword: coastal atlas

Place:

Place_Keyword: Guam

Place_Keyword: U.S. Territory

Place_Keyword: Mariana Islands

Place_Keyword: Micronesia

Place_Keyword: Northwest Pacific

Place_Keyword: Western Pacific

Place_Keyword: Pacific Islands

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Person: Barry Smith

Contact_Organization: University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (671) 735-2175

Contact_Position: Director

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (671) 734-6767

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: bdsmith@uog9.uog.edu

Contact_Address:

Address: Marine Laboratory

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: University of Guam

City: Mangilao

State_or_Province: GU

Postal_Code: 96923

Country: Guam/USA

Metadata_Date: 20070809

Metadata_Access_Constraints: None

Metadata_Use_Constraints: None

Metadata_Review_Date: 20101012

Distribution_Information:

Resource_Description: Downloadable Data

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Transfer_Size: 5.505

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Planar_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair

Planar_Distance_Units: meters

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 0.000128

Ordinate_Resolution: 0.000128

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984

Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224

Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Altitude_System_Definition:

Altitude_Encoding_Method:

Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

Altitude_Resolution: 0.000010

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: benthic_habitat_general_structure

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OBJECTID

Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape

Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: D_STRUCT

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Aggregate Reef

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: High relief lacking sand channels of spur and groove

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Aggregated Patch Reef

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Coral formations that are isolated from other coral reef formations by sand, seagrass, or other habitats and that have no organized structural axis relative to the contours of the shore or shelf edge. Aggregate patch reefs are clustered patches of reef that individually are too small (less than the MMU) or are too close together to map separately.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Artificial

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Man-made habitats such as submerged wrecks, large piers, and submerged portions of rip-rap jetties, and the shoreline of islands created from dreged soil.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Individual Patch Reef

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Coral formations that are isolated from other coral reef formations by sand, seagrass, or other habitats and that have no organized structural axis relative to the contours of the shore or shelf edge. Individual patch reefs are distinct, single patches of reef that are larger than or equal to the MMU.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Land

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Land

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Mud

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Fine sediment often associated with river discharge and build-up of organic material in areas sheltered from high-energy waves and currents.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Pavement

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Flat, low relief, solid carbonate rock.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Rock/Boulder

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Solid carbonate blocks and/or boulders or volcanic rock.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Rubble

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Dead, unstable coral rubble often colonized with coralline algae and filamentous algae or other macroalgae. This habitat often occurs landward of well-developed reef formations in the reef crest or back reef zone.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sand

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Coarse sediment typically found in areas exposed to currents or wave energy

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Scattered Coral/Rock

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Primarily sand or seagrass bottom with scattered rocks or small, isolated coral heads that are too small to be delineated individually (i.e. smaller than the individual patch reef).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Spur and Groove

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Habitat having alternating sand/ pavement and coral formations that are oriented perpendicular to the shore or bank/ shelf escarpment.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Unknown

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Attribute_Definition: Dominant physical structure type

Attribute_Definition_Source:

Atlas of the Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Area_ha

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Area_ac

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape_Length

Attribute_Definition: Length of feature in internal units.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shape_Area

Attribute_Definition: Area of feature in internal units squared.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Data_Quality_Information:

Logical_Consistency_Report:

The logical consistency of the geometry of this data set was checked using the topology functions of ArcGIS 9.0. Once all of the features were digitized, the shapefile was converted to a geodatabase feature class and a topology layer was created within ArcCatalog. The topology rules used to create the layer include "features must not overlap" and "features must not have gaps." All errors detected upon validation of the layer topology were corrected manually within ArcMap. The topologically-clean feature class was converted to a shapefile for publication. The logical consistency of the attributes of this layer was checked manually.

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

An attribute accuracy assessment had not been conducted prior to the release of this data set. At the time of publication, there are no plans to conduct an accuracy assessment.

Completeness_Report:

This data set is considered complete. Presently, there are no plans to conduct an accuracy assessment. Updates may be provided at a later date as more ground-truthing information becomes available.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

City: Mangilao

State_or_Province: GU

Postal_Code: 96923

Country: Guam/USA

Address: Marine Laboratory

Address: University of Guam

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Contact_Person: David Burdick

Contact_Position: NOAA Pacific Islands Assistant for Guam

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (671) 735-2175

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (671) 743-6767

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: bdsmith@uog9.uog.edu

Process_Description:

Methods Overview: Benthic habitat data for Guam developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Biogeography Team served as the starting point for the benthic habitat maps used in the Guam Coastal Atlas. The NOAA Biogeography Team's benthic habitat data were created by visual interpretation of IKONOS satellite imagery captured between 2001 and 2003 and validated by in situ surveys (for more information regarding the methods used by the NOAA Biogeography Team to develop their benthic habitat data for Guam, please visit their website at <http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov>. The NOAA Biogeography Team's benthic habitat data utilized an average minimum mapping unit of approximately 1 acre (4,046.86 sq. meters), however, and did not fully take advantage of the high level of detail that the IKONOS imagery allowed.
In order to update the NOAA Biogeography Team's benthic habitat data and enhance the level of detail for select portions of the data set, the most recently (2001 - 2004) available multispectral IKONOS image mosaic and a significantly smaller minimum map unit was used. An average minimum map unit of approximately 1/8 acre was used for the mapping of benthic habitats in four of Guam's marine preserves and other "focus areas"; some polygons with an area less than the minimum mapping unit occur in the data, however. The IKONOS imagery was pan-sharpened using ERDAS Imagine image processing software. The heads-up digitizing functions of ArcGIS were then used to adjust the boundaries of the existing benthic habitat data, create new features, and update feature attribute information. A hierarchical classification scheme similar to that used by the NOAA Biogeography Team was adopted for the data used in the Guam Coastal Atlas.
Four of Guam's marine preserves (Tumon Bay, Piti Bomb Holes, Achang Reef Flat, and Sasa Bay Preserves), as well as Cocos Lagoon, Pago Bay, and East Agana Bay, were targeted for highly detailed benthic habitat interpretation using the smaller minimum map unit; more detailed benthic habitat maps for other coastal areas may become available at a later date. Benthic habitat maps for much of the area beyond the marine preserve boundaries and the focus areas utilized the original NOAA Biogeography Team benthic habitat data, although some alterations (e.g. polygon boundary adjustments, classification corrections/updates) were performed. Ground validation surveys were also performed during the development of the Guam Coastal Atlas with a Trimble GeoXT hand-held GPS receiver that collected GPS-referenced benthic habitat information in situ. Accuracy assessment surveys were not conducted upon completion of the benthic habitat data set, thus the percent accuracy for the data is unknown. An accuracy assessment was performed for data developed by the NOAA Biogeography Team. Because of changes made to the NOAA Biogeography Team's benthic habitat data set for use in the Guam Coastal Atlas, the level of accuracy achieved with the NOAA data does not apply to the data used in the Guam Coastal Atlas. Please refer to the NOAA Biogeography Project Web site (<http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov>) for more information about their accuracy verification surveys.
Classification Scheme: A hierarchical classification scheme similar to that used by the NOAA team was adopted for the benthic habitat data used in the Guam Coastal Atlas. Using this classification scheme, benthic habitats were described from the broadest level of classification (unconsolidated sediment or coral reef/hard bottom) to a very detailed level of classification (e.g. 50%-<90% macroalgae). The major structure (unconsolidated sediment or coral reef/hard bottom), the detailed structure (e.g. aggregated reef, pavement, patch reef, etc.), the major cover type (e.g. coral, macroalgae, turf algae, uncolonized, etc.), and the percent cover of the major cover type (e.g. 0%, 1%-<10%, 10%<50%, etc.) were also recorded for each habitat delineation.
Although the benthic habitat data developed for the Guam Coastal Atlas used the same classification scheme as that used by the NOAA Biogeography Team, slightly different rules were used to determine the classification an area was to receive. These changes include:
- Defining coral as the majority cover type if the coral percent cover was 10% or greater
- Defining macroalgae as the major cover type if the macroalgae percent cover was 10% or greater and if coral cover was less than 10%.
Additionally, reef zone attribute information provided with the NOAA Biogeography Team benthic habitat data was not preserved during the development of the data for the Guam Coastal Atlas. Instead, adjacent polygons occurring in different reef zones (e.g. reef crest, reef flat, etc.) that otherwise possessed identical habitat classifications were merged in order to simplify the data set and reduce "clutter" on the benthic habitat maps. For more information about the classification scheme produced by the NOAA Biogeography Team and adopted for the Guam Coastal Atlas, including photos of various benthic habitat types, please visit their website at <http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/us_pac_terr>.
Ground Validation Surveys: A series of ground validation surveys were performed during the development of the benthic habitat data set. A Trimble GeoXT handheld GPS receiver was used to collect benthic habitat information. During these surveys, benthic habitat was described at each of the numerous data points collected throughout the study area. Using the hierarchical classification scheme, the benthic habitat at each point was described from the most basic level of detail (unconsolidated sediment or coral reef/hard bottom) to a high level of detail (e.g. 50% to < 90% macroalgae). The major structure (unconsolidated sediment or coral reef/hard bottom), the detailed structure (e.g. aggregated reef, pavement, patch reef, etc.), the major cover type (e.g. coral, macroalgae, turf algae, uncolonized, etc.), the percent cover of the dominant cover type (e.g. 0%, 1% to < 10%, 10% to < 50%, etc.), as well as the percent cover of coral were recorded for a 1 meter x 1 meter area beneath each point. A large portion of the data points collected at Gab Gab Beach, Dadi Beach, and Tumon Bay also included a digital photograph of a 0.25 sq. meter quadrat in order to assist in the interpretation of benthic habitats using the IKONOS imagery and to compare to future surveys.
A total of 846 ground validation points were collected at various sites around the island (see figures at lower left and lower right). The 203 ground validation points and the 241 accuracy assessment points collected by the NOAA Biogeography team were also used to help interpret the satellite imagery.
Because of environmental conditions, field surveys were limited mostly to the shallow reef flat areas around Guam. Ground validation data was collected with the GPS receiver within the Tumon Bay, Pati Point, and Achang Reef Flat Preserves, as well as at East Agana Bay, Cocos Lagoon, Pago Bay, Ritidian Point, and Gab Gab and Dadi Beaches on U.S. Navy Base property. A much wider cross-section of coastal area, including many fore reef areas, was observed and documented using a digital still camera during snorkeling and scuba diving excursions. These in situ observations allowed for a general assessment of an area's benthic habitat composition and assisted with the interpretation of the satellite imagery, and improved the accuracy of the benthic habitat classification in areas not surveyed using the GPS receiver.
Accuracy Assessment: An accuracy assessment had not been performed prior to the production of the printed and CD-ROM versions of the Guam Coastal Atlas, so the accuracy of any changes made to the original NOAA Biogeography Team's benthic habitat data during the development of the Guam Coastal Atlas have not been assessed. An accuracy assessment will likely be performed at a later date. This information will be available on the Guam Coastal Atlas web site at <http://www.uog.edu/marinelab/coastal.atlas/>.

Process_Date: June 2004 - September 2005

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

The original data set was dissolved based on the dominant physical structure type (D_STRUCT). The category UNKNOWN was deleted. Two new fields (Area in hectare and acres) were added and populated.

Time_of_Day: 12292100

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: irei@islandresearch.org

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: Island Research & Education Initiative

Process_Date: August 2013

Lineage: