Habitat--Offshore of Fort Ross, California

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Metadata:

Identification_Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: B. Dieter

Originator: H.G. Greene

Originator: C.A. Endris

Originator: Center for Habitat Studies, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Publication_Date: 2014

Title: Habitat--Offshore of Fort Ross, California

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: ppolygon shapefile digital data

Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Samuel Y. Johnson

Originator: Peter Dartnell

Originator: Nadine E. Golden

Originator: Stephan R. Hartwell

Originator: H. Gary Greene

Originator: Mercedes D. Erdey

Originator: Guy R. Cochrane

Originator: Janet L. Watt

Originator: Rikk G. Kvitek

Originator: Michael W. Manson

Originator: Charles A. Endris

Originator: Bryan E. Dieter

Originator: Lisa M. Krigsman

Originator: Ray W. Sliter

Originator: Erik N. Lowe

Originator: John L. Chin

Publication_Date: 2015

Title:

California State Waters Map Series—Offshore of Fort Ross, California

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map

Series_Information:

Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: OFR 2015–1211

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Online_Linkage: https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151211

Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Nadine E. Golden

Publication_Date: 2014

Title: California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database

Series_Information:

Series_Name: Data Series
Issue_Identification: DS 781

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Online_Linkage: https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/

Online_Linkage:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/arcgis/rest/services/Catalog/555cdb07e4b0a92fa7eb81c5/MapServer

Online_Linkage:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/arcgis/services/Catalog/555cdb07e4b0a92fa7eb81c5/MapServer/WMSServer?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS

Description:

Abstract:: This part of DS 781 presents data for the habitat map of the seafloor of the Offshore of Fort Ross map area, California. The polygon shapefile is included in "Habitat_OffshoreFortRoss.zip," which is accessible from https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreFortRoss/data_catalog_OffshoreFortRoss.html.

Using multibeam echosounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data, potential marine benthic habitat maps were constructed. The habitats were based on substrate types and documented or "ground truthed" using underwater video images and seafloor samples obtained by the USGS. These maps display various habitat types that range from flat, soft, unconsolidated sediment-covered seafloor to hard, deformed (folded), or highly rugose and differentially eroded bedrock exposures. Rugged, high-relief, rocky outcrops that have been eroded to form ledges and small caves are ideal habitat for rockfish (Sebastes spp.) and other bottom fish such as lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus). Habitat map is presented in a map format generated in a GIS (ArcMap), and both digital and hard-copy versions will be produced.
Purpose:: These data are intended for science researchers, students, policy makers, and the general public. These data can be used with geographic information systems or other software to identify seafloor features. This information is not intended for navigational purposes.
Supplemental_Information:: Data used for the creation of the potential marine benthic habitat interpretation consists of multibeam bathymetry, acoustic backscatter, sediment samples, camera-sled imagery, and existing geologic and seafloor interpretive maps. All data were compiled and displayed for interpretation using ESRI ArcGIS software, ArcMap v.10.0. The process consists of editing a shapefile within ArcMap, beginning with the construction of polygons to delineate benthic features. A benthic feature is an area with common characteristics which can be characterized as a single potential habitat type. The boundaries and extents of these features were determined from the bathymetric data. In general, interpretations were made at scales between 1:2,000 and 1:5,000. The USGS kindly provided the Center for Habitat Studies with a geodatabase consisting of feature datasets delineating geologic features and attributes for offshore Fort Ross. Some of the delineated polygons were preserved as part of the potential marine benthic habitat characterization. However, the Greene and others (2007) code was used in attributing the dataset and additional polygons were added using the methods outlined below. High-resolution multibeam sonar data in the form of bathymetric depth grids (seafloor digital elevation models, referred to as the "bathymetry") were the primary data used in the interpretation of potential habitat types. Shaded-relief imagery ("hillshade") allows for visualization of the terrain and interpretation of submarine landforms. On the basis of these hillshades, areas of rock were identified by their often sharply defined edges and high relative relief; these may be contiguous outcrops, isolated parts of outcrop protruding through sediment cover (pinnacles), or isolated boulders. Although these types of features can be confidently characterized as exposed rock, it is not uncommon to find areas within or around the rocky feature that appear to be covered by a thin veneer of sediment. These areas are identified as "mixed" induration, containing both rock and sediment. Broad areas of the seafloor lacking sharp and angular characteristics are considered to be sediment. Sedimentary features may contain erosional or depositional characteristics recognizable in the bathymetry, such as dynamic bedforms (dunes or sand waves). General morphologic features such as scours, mounds, and depressions were also identified using the hillshade imagery. The combination of acoustic backscatter data and "ground truthed" sediment samples were used to delineate seafloor sediment types within areas identified as "soft (s)" induration. Initially, ground truth data, in the form of grab sample descriptions and average grain size measurements, were categorized into four grain-size categories: mud (m), muddy sand (s/m), sand (s), and sandy gravel (s/g). Backscatter data was then classified into four intensity categories (low, med, high, very high) that are assumed to correspond to relative grain sizes. The aim was to develop an intensity classification of the seafloor that correlated with the data collected from the sediment samples. Thus, the combination of remotely observed data (acoustic backscatter) and directly observed data (sediment grab samples) translates to higher confidence in our ability to interpret broad areas of the seafloor. Nonetheless, we caution against using our sediment type interpretations as anything more than "best-guess" because of the following issues: characterization of contiguous sediment bodies is a difficult procedure because even small areas can exhibit a wide spectrum of backscatter-intensity values that lack distinct boundaries; backscatter intensity can be affected by depth, vegetation, water column conditions, and seafloor relief; and directly observed sediment data, in the form of sediment samples, represents a very small area relative to remotely observed data, requiring broad areas of interpolation. Please refer to Greene and others (2007) for more information regarding the Benthic Marine Potential Habitat Classification Scheme and the codes used to represent various seafloor features.

References Cited:

Greene, H.G., Bizzarro, J.J., O'Connell, V.M., and Brylinsky, C.K., 2007, Construction of digital potential marine benthic habitat maps using a coded classification scheme and its application, in Todd, B.J., and Greene, H.G., eds., Mapping the seafloor for habitat characterization: Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 47, p. 141-155.

Greene, H.G., Yoklavich, M.M., Starr, R.M., O'Connell, V.M., Wakefield, W.W., Sullivan, D.E., McRea, J.E., Jr., and Cailliet, G.M., 1999, A classification scheme for deep seafloor habitats: Oceanologica Acta, v. 22, no. 6, p. 663-678.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2014

Currentness_Reference: Publication Date

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: none planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.31
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.10
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.55
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.40

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)
Theme_Keyword: Oceans > Bathymetry/SeafloorTopography > Bathymetry
Theme_Keyword: Oceans > Bathymetry/SeafloorTopography > Seafloor Topography

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: oceans
Theme_Keyword: imageryBaseMapsEarthCover
Theme_Keyword: Multibeam bathymetry

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: General
Theme_Keyword: Benthic marine habitat
Theme_Keyword: Seafloor mapping
Theme_Keyword: Offshore geology
Theme_Keyword: GIS

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Place_Keyword: Pacific Ocean
Place_Keyword: California
Place_Keyword: Sonoma County
Place_Keyword: Fort Ross

Access_Constraints:

If physical samples or materials are available, constraints on their on-site access are described in "WR CMG Sample Distribution Policy" at URL: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/programs/html/main/sample-dist-policy.html

Use_Constraints:

This information is not intended for navigational purposes.
Read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to data use. Uses of these data should not violate the spatial resolution of the data. Where these data are used in combination with other data of different resolution, the resolution of the combined output will be limited by the lowest resolution of all the data.
Acknowledge the Center for Habitat Studies, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in products derived from these data. Share data products developed using these data with the U.S. Geological Survey.
This database has been approved for release and publication by the Director of the USGS. Although this database has been subjected to rigorous review and is substantially complete, the USGS reserves the right to revise the data pursuant to further analysis and review. Furthermore, it is released on condition that neither the USGS nor the United States Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from its authorized or unauthorized use.
Although this Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata file is intended to document these data in nonproprietary form, as well as in ArcInfo format, this metadata file may include some ArcInfo-specific terminology.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: Center for Habitat Studies, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Contact_Person: H. Gary Greene

Contact_Position: Geologist/Principal Investigator

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: physical address
Address: Center for Habitat Studies
City: Moss Landing Marine Labs
State_or_Province: CA
Postal_Code: 95039
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (831) 771-4141

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (831) 633-7264

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: greene@mlml.calstate.edu

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

Microsoft Windows 7 Version 6.1 (Build 7601) Service Pack 1; ESRI ArcGIS 10.0.3.3600

Browse_Graphic:

Browse_Graphic_File_Name:: https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreFortRoss/images/Habitat_OffshoreFortRoss.jpg
Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Benthic habitat offshore Fort Ross.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPEG

Data_Quality_Information:

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Map elements were visually checked for overshoots, undershoots, duplicate features, polygon closure, and other errors by the lead authors and by the GIS technician(s) who created the digital database. Review drafts of the map were reviewed internally by at least two other geologists for consistency with basic geologic principles and general conformity to USGS mapping standards.

Completeness_Report:

Contact authors for information about omissions, selection criteria, generalization, definitions used, and other rules used to derive the data set.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:: Interpretation and polygon delineation of habitats performed at scales from 1:2000 to 1:5000

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:: Interpretation and polygon delineation of habitats performed at scales from 1:2000 to 1:5000.
Process_Date: 2014

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: GT-polygon composed of chains
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 725

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Map_Projection:

Map_Projection_Name: WGS 1984 UTM Zone 10N

Transverse_Mercator:

Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996
Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -123.0
Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.0
False_Easting: 500000.0
False_Northing: 0.0

Planar_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 0.001
Ordinate_Resolution: 0.001

Planar_Distance_Units: Meter

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: D WGS 1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS 1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257223563

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Habitat_OffshoreFortRoss
Entity_Type_Definition: Polygons representing habitat map units
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: This report

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OBJECTID

Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.

Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI