Mid-Atlantic Benthic Habitats

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Metadata:


Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: The Nature Conservancy
Publication_Date: 2010
Title: Mid-Atlantic Benthic Habitats
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Description:
Abstract:
[Note that this represents an extract of the larger data set.]
This data product was created as part of the Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment. The Nature Conservancy developed this science-based ecoregional assessment for the Northwest Atlantic Marine region (Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina). This assessment synthesizes information on oceanography, chemistry, geology, biology, and social science to inform decisions about coastal and marine ecosystems. By integrating this information at a regional level, the Conservancy is able to provide both a greater understanding of the interrelated biological diversity of the marine ecoregion, and a clearer picture of the current condition of its natural areas and the challenges to their continued persistence. The ten categories of targets identified as the primary structure for the marine ecoregional assessment are: coastal and estuarine habitats, benthic habitats, diadromous fish, demersal fish, pelagic fish, forage fish, nearshore shellfish, shorebirds and seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles. For more information and a detailed report, please visit <http://nature.org/namera/>.
Benthic habitats are based on Ecological Marine Units (EMUs), which represent the three-way combination of depth, sediment grain size and seabed forms based on the ecological thresholds revealed by the organism relationships. Benthic habitats are combinations of EMUs considered with their species assemblages. The signature of a benthic habitat type may be a combination of multiple EMUs. Thresholds were created by classifying grab samples into organism groups based on similarities in the composition and abundance of the benthic species using hierarchical cluster analysis. To perform this analysis, each grab sample was classified to an organism group, then overlaid on standardized base maps of depth, sediment grain size and seabed forms, and attributed with the information taken from the classified data. Regression trees were built individually for each physical variable to identify critical thresholds that separated sets of organism groups from each other. Regression trees were also built using all variables collectively to identify which variables were driving the organism differences. Each analysis was performed separately by ecological subregion after data exploration revealed that the relationships between genera and physical factors differed markedly among subregions.
Purpose:
These data were developed for marine conservation planning and development of effective marine conservation strategies. Conservation of benthic habitats is necessary to protect the full diversity of species that inhabit the benthos and to maintain the key functions that benthic systems play in converting and recycling nutrients within the marine ecosystem. Moreover, benthic organisms tend to be near the bottom of the marine food chain. Cod and other demersal fish feed on invertebrates and small crustaceans that in turn feed on the annelids, amphipods, krill, limpets and smaller shrimp that form benthic communities. Essential to conserving benthic diversity is an accurate map showing the extent and location of various benthic habitats.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2010
Currentness_Reference: publication date
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -77.322991
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -71.612427
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.412848
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 34.908963
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword: Benthic Habitat Types
Theme_Keyword: EMU
Theme_Keyword: Bathymetry
Theme_Keyword: Sediment
Theme_Keyword: Seabed forms
Place:
Place_Keyword: Northwest Atlantic
Place_Keyword: Mid-Atlantic
Access_Constraints:
The Nature Conservancy reserves all rights in data provided. All data are provided as is. This is not a survey quality dataset. TNC-derived data analysis cannot be relied on as a definitive statement of the presence or absence of individual species or significant ecological communities at given locations and cannot be substituted for ecological surveys that may be required for environmental assessment or conservation planning. The Nature Conservancy makes no warranty as to the currency, completeness, accuracy or utility of any specific data. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data.
Use_Constraints:
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) compiled this data set from publicly available data sources and this data is freely distributable without permission from this TNC resource office. This data set must be cited on all electronic and hard copy products using the language of the Data Set Credit. Use and analysis of the geographic data are limited by the scale at which the data was collected and mapped, and that, as a regional analysis, it is not intended for site level decisions. The source data, particularly the sediment data, were interpolated from point data that in some cases is very widely spaced.
The Nature Conservancy shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. Any sale, distribution, loan, or offering for use of these digital data, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the approval of the Nature Conservancy. The use of these data to produce other GIS products and services with the intent to sell for a profit is prohibited without the written consent of the Nature Conservancy. All parties receiving these data must be informed of these restrictions. The Nature Conservancy shall be acknowledged as data contributors to any reports or other products derived from these data.
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: Eastern Resource Office of The Nature Conservancy
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 11 Avenue de Lafayette
City: Boston
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02111-1736
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 617-542-1908
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: melissa_clark@tnc.org
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
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Data_Quality_Information:
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: National Geographic Data Center
Title: National Geographic Data Center's Coastal Relief Model
Other_Citation_Details:
Divins, D.L., and D. Metzger, NGDC Coastal Relief Model, <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/coastal/coastal.html>
Online_Linkage: <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/coastal/coastal.html>
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: The National Ocean Service
Title:
The National Ocean Service (NOS) Hydrographic Data Base (NOSHDB)
Online_Linkage: <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/bathymetry/hydro.html>
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Roworth & Signell
Publication_Date: 1998
Title: GOM15CTR: Digital bathymetry contours of the Gulf of Maine
Other_Citation_Details:
The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting studies of the sea floor geology in the Gulf of Maine and along the New England Shelf that provide geologic framework information for habitat, resource, and environmental studies. This data set provides bathymetric contours for the Gulf of Maine GIS project area.
Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/of98-801/bathy/data.htm#Contours>
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Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: C:\clark\fish\bathy.xml
Process_Date: 20100119
Process_Time: 11533400
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Process_Date: 20100325
Process_Time: 14472200
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Process_Date: 20100328
Process_Time: 18100000
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Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: K:\proj10\MARCO_Portal\Data2Publish\benthic_habitats.xml
Process_Date: 20100630
Process_Time: 11484800

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: G-polygon
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 25

Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Planar:
Map_Projection:
Planar_Coordinate_Information:
Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair
Coordinate_Representation:
Abscissa_Resolution: 0.000100
Ordinate_Resolution: 0.000100
Planar_Distance_Units: meters
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: mab_benhab
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: Habitat_Code
Attribute_Definition: Numeric habitat code appended to the subregion code
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Hab_Num
Attribute_Definition: Numeric habitat code
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Depth
Attribute_Definition: General depth class
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Description
Attribute_Definition: General habitat description
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Associated_Species1
Attribute_Definition: One selected species associated with the habitat
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Associated_Species2
Attribute_Definition: Another selected species associated with the habitat
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Associated_Species3
Attribute_Definition: Another selected species associated with the habitat
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.

Distribution_Information:
Resource_Description: Downloadable Data
Distribution_Liability:
Neither The Nature Conservancy nor any of the ecoregional planning team participants makes any warranty, expressed or implied, as to the use or appropriateness of use of the enclosed data., nor are there warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. No representation is made as to the currency, accuracy or completeness of the information on this CD-ROM or of the data sources on which it is based. Neither The Nature Conservancy nor any of the ecoregional planning team participants shall be liable for any lost profits or consequential damages, or claims against the user by third parties.
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Metadata_Date: 20100726
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Generated by mp version 2.9.6 on Mon Jul 26 10:08:25 2010