Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Comprehensive inventory of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling datasets to support Deepwater Horizon mesophotic and deep benthic community restoration (NCEI Accession 0268765)

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This repository is a collection and inventory of existing seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling data within the Gulf of Mexico. The inventory was compiled by the Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC): Mapping Ground-truthing, and Predictive Habitat Modeling Project. This project is one of many selected by the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group to restore natural resources injured by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Data collected from 1980 to 2021 were sourced from federal and state agencies, as well as from academia and industry. Each dataset is represented in the inventory as a spatial footprint with corresponding quantitative and qualitative attributes. The seafloor mapping data are primarily remote sensing observations used to survey and derive depth, shape, and texture of the seafloor and characterize the geomorphological forms, substrates, and biota used to define MDBC habitats. Ground-truthing data are in-situ observations that provide visual and analytical characterization of information documenting the abundance and distribution of MDBC, substrate, and geomorphology. Predictive habitat models analyze habitat-environment or species-environment relationships from seafloor mapping data, in situ observations, and environmental data to predict MDBC habitat. The spatial extent of the dataset is as follows, except for predictive habitat models which have a more global extent.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Paxton, Avery; Herting, Jennifer; Winship, Arliss (2022). Comprehensive inventory of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling datasets to support Deepwater Horizon mesophotic and deep benthic community restoration (NCEI Accession 0268765). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0268765. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0268765

Full Text · XML

Download Data	HTTPS (download) Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. FTP (download) These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats	Shapefile Geodatabase CSV
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov

Time Period	1980-01-01 to 2021-04-30
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -96.9266 East: -83.4463 South: 27 North: 30.1216
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
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Descriptive Information
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Associated Resources

Comprehensive inventory of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling datasets to support Deepwater Horizon mesophotic and deep benthic community restoration
- NCEI Collection
  Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
Open Ocean Restoration Area
- Open Ocean Restoration Area
  OOTIG Project Webpage
NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration
- NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration
  Oil Spill Restoration Webpage
Scientific Support for Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Community Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico
- https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/scientific-support-for-mesophotic-and-deep-benthic-community-restoration-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/
  National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) project page

gov.noaa.nodc:MDBC-MGM-Inventory

Publication Dates	publication: 2022-12-05
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency	As needed
Supplemental Information	Submission Package ID: E1H7J8 Methods: Thorough and reproducible data discovery protocols were applied to search a range of data sources including project partners, external contacts, scientific literature, and online data portals. Reproducible protocols were also applied to screen, acquire, standardize, store, and document inventoried datasets. Summary products, such as the spatial footprints included in this archival data package, were derived from the original datasets to provide simplified, standardized views of the inventoried data across datasets and data types. Details on data discovery, data tracking, data screening and acquisition, data processing, and data product generation are available in Paxton et al. (2022). File Information: Total File Size: 13.8 GB total, 1,561 files in 20 folders (unzipped), 2.79 GB (zipped) Data File Format(s): Shapefile (and ancillary files .CPG, .DBF, .PRJ, .SBN, .SBX, .SHX) Geodatabase (.gdb) Comma-separated value (.CSV) Data File Compression: N/A Data File Resolution: N/A GIS Projection: NAD 1983 (2011 version)
Purpose	Project Purpose: The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill released approximately 3.2 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), resulting in quantified injury to an area of over 2,000 km2 (770 mi2) of deep-sea benthic habitats surrounding the wellhead. The damage assessment also documented hydrocarbon exposure to an additional area of over 12,000 km2 extending up the continental slope and onto the continental shelf, as well as substantial losses to corals, other benthic invertebrates, and the associated fish and water column community in an approximately 10 km2 area of mesophotic reef habitats of the Pinnacles Trend off the coast of Mississippi and Alabama. The full extent of damage to mesophotic and deep benthic communities (MDBC) from the DWH oil spill remains unknown, and knowledge gaps regarding MDBC distribution create significant challenges for restoring MDBC communities and achieving restoration goals prescribed by the Final DWH Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan / Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DWH PDARP / PEIS). Successful restoration of MDBC impacted by the DWH oil spill requires knowledge of the distribution, abundance, and status of these communities and associated habitats. Accurate high-resolution seafloor maps and data on abundance and distribution of MDBC represent key requirements for restoration efforts. Partial information about MDBC can be gleaned from existing datasets. As such, the MDBC Mapping, Ground-truthing, and Predictive Habitat Modeling Project conducted an inventory of existing seafloor mapping and ground-truthing data and of existing predictive habitat models. A comprehensive inventory of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling data was compiled for a large part of the northern GOM from 1980 through 2021 to meet project objectives and support restoration activities. This archival data package includes spatial footprints of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling datasets that were included in the inventory. Data Purpose: The broad goal of the inventory was to help determine the extent of MDBC communities and support restoration activities. More specifically, the resulting inventory will be used to 1) prioritize locations and key information requirements for habitat maps needed for planning, restoration activities, or conservation management actions; 2) conduct a gap analysis to define focal regions to conduct new seafloor mapping and ground-truthing surveys or predictive modeling; 3) inform participatory workshops with subject matter experts to define best practices for habitat mapping, ground-truthing, and modeling; and 4) inform operations to newly document the extent of MDBC.
Use Limitations	accessLevel: Public Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.

Dataset Citation	Cite as: Paxton, Avery; Herting, Jennifer; Winship, Arliss (2022). Comprehensive inventory of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling datasets to support Deepwater Horizon mesophotic and deep benthic community restoration (NCEI Accession 0268765). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0268765. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Paxton, Avery US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Herting, Jennifer US DOC; NOAA, NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Winship, Arliss NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
Principal Investigators	Charles Menza US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Collaborators	Paxton, Avery US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Herting, Jennifer US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/SEFSC) Winship, Arliss US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Benson, Kristopher US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Office of Habitat Conservation (NMFS/OHC) Timothy A. Battista US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Harter, Stacey US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/SEFSC) Ebert, Erik US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Sautter, Will US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Kraus, Jennifer US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Sarah D. Hile US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Howell, Jacob US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Dan Dorfman US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Flounders, Samantha US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/SEFSC) Matthew Poti US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Coyne, Michael US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Stephen K. Formel US DOC; NOAA; NESDIS; National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Taylor, Christopher US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Contributors	US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Resource Providers	US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Points of Contact	NCCOS Data Manager US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Asmita Shukla US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Related Funding Agency: Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment, MDBC Mapping, Ground-truthing, and Predictive Habitat Modeling Project

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS BATHYMETRY CORAL HABITAT - BENTHIC NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS in situ model output WMO_CategoryCode oceanography Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > BATHYMETRY/SEAFLOOR TOPOGRAPHY > BATHYMETRY EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > COASTAL LANDFORMS > CORAL REEFS NCCOS Research Data Type NCCOS Research Data Type > Derived Data Product NCCOS Research Data Type > Geospatial NCCOS Research Data Type > Model NCCOS Research Keywords NCCOS Research Priority > Coastal Change NCCOS Research Priority > Marine Spatial Ecology NCCOS Research Priority > Social Science NCCOS Research Priority > Stressor Impacts and Mitigation NCCOS Research Topic > Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments NCCOS Research Topic > Habitat Mapping NCCOS Research Topic > Regional Ecosystem Science Provider Keywords Acoustic Backscatter Annotations Observations Predictive Habitat Model Predictions Seafloor Bathymetry
Data Center keywords	NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS > National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS multibeam sonar sediment sampler - corer sediment sampler - grab seismic reflection profiler sonar Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords GRAB SAMPLERS MBES > Multibeam Mapping System SEDIMENT CORERS > SEDIMENT CORERS SEISMIC REFLECTION PROFILERS SONAR > Sound Navigation and Ranging Provider Instruments Biological Sampler Geological Sampler Laser-line Scanner Multibeam Sonar Multimedia devices Phase Differential Bathymetric Sonar Sediment Sampler Seismic profiler Side-scan Sonar Sub-bottom Profiler
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Coastal Waters of Alabama Coastal Waters of Florida Coastal Waters of Louisiana Coastal Waters of Mississippi Coastal Waters of Texas Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Gulf of Mexico North Atlantic Ocean Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO NCCOS Research Locations NCCOS Research Location > Region > Alabama NCCOS Research Location > Region > Atlantic Ocean NCCOS Research Location > Region > Florida NCCOS Research Location > Region > Gulf of Mexico NCCOS Research Location > Region > Louisiana NCCOS Research Location > Region > Mississippi NCCOS Research Location > Region > Texas Provider Place Names Atlantic Ocean
Project keywords	NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Deepwater Horizon oil spill event (DWH) Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) Natural Resources Damage Assessment Process (NRDA Process) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords MDBC > Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities Provider Project Names Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (OOTIG)
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0268765

Use Constraints	Cite as: Paxton, Avery; Herting, Jennifer; Winship, Arliss (2022). Comprehensive inventory of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling datasets to support Deepwater Horizon mesophotic and deep benthic community restoration (NCEI Accession 0268765). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0268765. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints	Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	2022-12-05T17:39:50Z - NCEI Accession 0268765 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0268765 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0268765 v1.1 (download) published 2022-12-05T17:39:50Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: Seafloor Bathymetry (calculated); Units: meters; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Multibeam Sonar, Side-scan Sonar, Seismic profiler, Sub-bottom Profiler, Phase Differential Bathymetric Sonar, Laser-line Scanne; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints derived from a variety of seafloor bathymetric imagery produced by federal, state, academic, and private institutions. The imagery screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A. Parameter or Variable: Acoustic Backscatter (calculated); Units: N/A; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Multibeam Sonar, Side-scan Sonar, Seismic profiler, Sub-bottom Profiler, Phase Differential Bathymetric Sonar, Laser-line Scanne; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints derived from a variety of acoustic backscatter imagery produced by federal, state, academic, and private institutions. The imagery screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A. Parameter or Variable: Observations/Annotations (measured); Units: N/A; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: Multimedia devices; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints (sampling locations, dive tracks, etc.) which have associated relevant observations/annotations derived from multimedia data (images and videos), and geological and biological samples. The data screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A. Parameter or Variable: Observations/Annotations (measured); Units: N/A; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Geological/Sediment/Biological Samplers; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints (sampling locations) which have associated relevant observations/annotations derived from geological/sediment/biological samples. The data screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A. Parameter or Variable: Predictive Habitat Model Predictions (calculated); Units: N/A; Observation Category: model output; Sampling Instrument: N/A; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints representing the spatial extent of the areas where predictions have been made by a variety of habitat models. The model screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A.

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: Seafloor Bathymetry (calculated); Units: meters; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Multibeam Sonar, Side-scan Sonar, Seismic profiler, Sub-bottom Profiler, Phase Differential Bathymetric Sonar, Laser-line Scanne; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints derived from a variety of seafloor bathymetric imagery produced by federal, state, academic, and private institutions. The imagery screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A.
Parameter or Variable: Acoustic Backscatter (calculated); Units: N/A; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Multibeam Sonar, Side-scan Sonar, Seismic profiler, Sub-bottom Profiler, Phase Differential Bathymetric Sonar, Laser-line Scanne; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints derived from a variety of acoustic backscatter imagery produced by federal, state, academic, and private institutions. The imagery screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A.
Parameter or Variable: Observations/Annotations (measured); Units: N/A; Observation Category: other; Sampling Instrument: Multimedia devices; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints (sampling locations, dive tracks, etc.) which have associated relevant observations/annotations derived from multimedia data (images and videos), and geological and biological samples. The data screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A.
Parameter or Variable: Observations/Annotations (measured); Units: N/A; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Geological/Sediment/Biological Samplers; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints (sampling locations) which have associated relevant observations/annotations derived from geological/sediment/biological samples. The data screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A.
Parameter or Variable: Predictive Habitat Model Predictions (calculated); Units: N/A; Observation Category: model output; Sampling Instrument: N/A; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The dataset contains a collection of footprints representing the spatial extent of the areas where predictions have been made by a variety of habitat models. The model screening criterion for the purpose of this project can be found in Paxton et al. (2022; DOI: XXXX).; Data Quality Method: N/A.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	multibeam sonar sediment sampler - corer sediment sampler - grab seismic reflection profiler sonar

Last Modified: 2024-04-10T23:31:21Z
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Comprehensive inventory of seafloor mapping, ground-truthing, and predictive habitat modeling datasets to support Deepwater Horizon mesophotic and deep benthic community restoration (NCEI Accession 0268765)

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