Identification_Information:
  Citation:
    Citation_Information:
      Originator: Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Coastal Services Center (CSC)
      Originator: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
      Publication_Date: 20040630
      Title: Benthic grab data from October 1999 in Apalachicola Bay, Florida
      Edition: One
      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
      Publication_Information:
        Publication_Place: Charleston, SC
        Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, Coastal Services Center (CSC)
      Online_Linkage: ftp://ftp.csc.noaa.gov/pub/benthic/apabenthos.zip
      Online_Linkage: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/data/gulf/apa.htm
      Online_Linkage: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/
      Online_Linkage: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/
  Description:
    Abstract: The Apalachicola Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the NOAA Coastal Services Center worked together to map benthic habitats within Apalachicola Bay, Florida. The bay and the lower portions of four distributaries were surveyed on 11-22 October 1999 using three benthic sampling techniques.  This data set represents the benthic community information gathered from grab sampling. Grabs were collected at 136 stations throughout the bay.
    Purpose: Identification and enumeration of infauna, biomass, and benthic community parameters were measured from the benthic grab samples.  These data were collected to examine community distributions throughout the Apalachicola Bay system.
  Time_Period_of_Content:
    Time_Period_Information:
      Single_Date/Time:
        Calendar_Date: 199910
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition
  Status:
    Progress: Complete
    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
  Spatial_Domain:
    Bounding_Coordinates:
      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -85.210270
      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -84.734270
      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 29.807750
      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 29.598130
  Keywords:
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Theme_Keyword: Environmental Monitoring
      Theme_Keyword: benthos
      Theme_Keyword: benthic grab
      Theme_Keyword: geographic information system
      Theme_Keyword: GIS
      Theme_Keyword: CSC Benthic Habitat Mapping
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
      Theme_Keyword: environment
      Theme_Keyword: biota
    Place:
      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Place_Keyword: Gulf of Mexico
      Place_Keyword: Florida
      Place_Keyword: Apalachicola
      Place_Keyword: East Bay
      Place_Keyword: St. Vincent Sound
      Place_Keyword: St. George Sound
  Access_Constraints: None
  Use_Constraints: It is the responsibility of the user to determine the appropriate use of the data product.
  Point_of_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: NOAA Coastal Services Center
        Contact_Person: CRS Program Manager
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: mailing and physical
        Address: 2234 South Hobson Avenue
        City: Charleston
        State_or_Province: South Carolina
        Postal_Code: 29405
        Country: U.S.A
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 843-740-1200
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 843-740-1315
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: csc@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 9 am to 5 pm, Eastern Standard Time
  Data_Set_Credit: NOAA Coastal Services Center
  Native_Data_Set_Environment: Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 4; ESRI ArcCatalog 8.3.0.800
Data_Quality_Information:
  Attribute_Accuracy:
    Attribute_Accuracy_Report: In the laboratory, organisms were separated from the remaining debris by flotation and handpicking, identified by experienced taxonomists, and enumerated.  Quality assurance and control measures at Barry Vittor and Associates included randomly selecting and reconstituting with the original debris 10% of the samples and repeating the entire separation, identification, and enumeration process.  The quality assurance plan followed by Barry A. Vittor and Associates calls for all samples processed by a particular technician to be redone if the checks show that any of technician's work differs by more than 5% from the original results.  For this project, all discrepancies were within 5%.  The taxonomists previously worked on several projects from northern Florida and verified each other's identifications.  When differences of opinion occurred or when significant doubt remained, outside specialists examined the specimens.  Identifications were to the lowest practical identification level (LPIL) when not to the species level.
  Logical_Consistency_Report: All data are believed to be logically consistent.
  Completeness_Report: All grab data were not included in this data layer. Abundances for taxonomic groups, community diversity, species richness, total abundance, and density per square meter were included in this data layer. Biomass data and abundance of individual species were not included, but these data can be found in the Apalachicola Bay benthic database, available from the NOAA Coastal Services Center.
  Positional_Accuracy:
    Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
      Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Stations were located in the field using a differential Global Positioning System (GPS), and station coordinates, date and time of day were recorded upon arrival at each station.
    Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
      Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not relevant to the data set.
  Lineage:
    Source_Information:
      Source_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator: Barry Vittor and Associates, Inc.
          Publication_Date: Unpublished material
          Title: Apalachicola Bay Benthic Survey, October 1999
          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: None
      Type_of_Source_Media: database table
      Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
        Time_Period_Information:
          Range_of_Dates/Times:
            Beginning_Date: 19991011
            Beginning_Time: 0800
            Ending_Date: 19991022
            Ending_Time: 1800
        Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
      Source_Citation_Abbreviation: BVA grab data
      Source_Contribution: Taxonomic counts and community parameter estimates for benthic grabs collected in Apalachicola Bay, Florida.
    Process_Step:
      Process_Description: Grab samples were collected using a 0.04 square meter Shipek grab.  Grabs were washed on the boat and sieved through a 0.5-mm mesh.  The sieve contents were then stored in a 10% buffered formalin solution and processed by Barry Vittor and Associates, Inc., Mobile, Alabama.  In the laboratory, organisms were separated from the remaining debris by flotation and handpicking, identified by experienced taxonomists, and enumerated.  Identifications were to the lowest practical identification level (LPIL) when not to the species level.
      Process_Date: Unknown
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
  Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
  Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
    SDTS_Terms_Description:
      SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity point
      Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 136
Spatial_Reference_Information:
  Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
    Geographic:
      Latitude_Resolution: 0.000001
      Longitude_Resolution: 0.000001
      Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees
    Geodetic_Model:
      Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983
      Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80
      Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
      Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257222
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
  Detailed_Description:
    Entity_Type:
      Entity_Type_Label: benthos
      Entity_Type_Definition: shapefile attribute table
      Entity_Type_Definition_Source: None
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: FID
      Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Unrepresentable_Domain: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Shape
      Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: STATION
      Attribute_Definition: Unique identifier for sample sites.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 1124
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 5062
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: LOCATION
      Attribute_Definition: Area within bay where sample was collected.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: Apalachicola Bay
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: St. Marks River
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: St. Vincent Sound
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: St. George Sound
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: Little St. Marks River
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: Scipio Point
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: East River
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: East Bay
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: Apalachicola River
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: REGION
      Attribute_Definition: General area within the bay that station is located.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: Apalachicola Bay
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: East Bay
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: Rivers
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: St. George Sound
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: St. Vincent Sound
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Unknown
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: LATITUDE
      Attribute_Definition: Latitude in decimal degrees.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 29.59813
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 29.80775
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: LONGITUDE
      Attribute_Definition: Longitude in decimal degrees.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: -85.21027
          Range_Domain_Maximum: -84.73427
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: TAXA
      Attribute_Definition: Number of taxa present in sample.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 2
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 62
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: TOTAL_ABUN
      Attribute_Definition: Total number of infaunal organisms in sample.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 4
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 1010
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: DENSITY_M
      Attribute_Definition: Concentration of infaunal organisms per square meter.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 100
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 25250
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: DIVERSITY
      Attribute_Definition: Shannon-Weiner diversity index score.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.53
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 3.56
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: WET_BIO
      Attribute_Definition: Sum of infaunal wet biomass (in grams) in sample.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0085
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 458.1438
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: AMPHIPODS
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all amphipods.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 919
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: BIVALVES
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all bivalves.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 122
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: DECAPODS
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all decapod crustaceans.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 66
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: ECHINODERM
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all echinoderms.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 16
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: GASTROPODS
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all gastropods.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 140
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: ISOPODS
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all isopods.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 44
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: OLIGOS
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of oligochaetes.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 129
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: OTHER
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all other taxa sampled.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 36
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: OTHER_PERA
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all tanaids, ostracods, and mysids.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 102
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: POLYS
      Attribute_Definition: Total abundance of all polychaetes.
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Unknown
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 2
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 219
      Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991011
      Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: 19991022
Distribution_Information:
  Distributor:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Person_Primary:
        Contact_Person: Clearinghouse Manager
        Contact_Organization: NOAA Coastal Services Center
      Contact_Position: Clearinghouse Manager
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: mailing and physical
        Address: 2234 South Hobson Avenue
        City: Charleston
        State_or_Province: South Carolina
        Postal_Code: 29405
        Country: U.S.A.
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 843-740-1200
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 843-740-1315
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: clearinghouse@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 9 am to 5 pm, Eastern Standard Time
  Resource_Description: Downloadable Data
  Distribution_Liability: While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within limits of the state of the art, NOAA will not assume any liability for damages caused by any inaccuracies in these data, or failure in their use.
  Standard_Order_Process:
    Digital_Form:
      Digital_Transfer_Information:
        Format_Name: ESRI Shapefile
        Transfer_Size: 0.056
      Digital_Transfer_Option:
        Online_Option:
          Computer_Contact_Information:
            Network_Address:
              Network_Resource_Name: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/data/gulf/apa.htm
    Fees: None
Metadata_Reference_Information:
  Metadata_Date: 20100519
  Metadata_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Person_Primary:
        Contact_Person: Metadata Specialist
        Contact_Organization: NOAA Coastal Services Center
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: mailing and physical
        Address: 2234 South Hobson Avenue
        City: Charleston
        State_or_Province: South Carolina
        Postal_Code: 29405
        Country: U.S.A.
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 843-740-1200
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 843-740-1224
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: csc@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 9 am to 5 pm, Eastern Standard Time
  Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
  Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
  Metadata_Extensions:
    Online_Linkage: http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov/metadataresource/metadata-references/files/ncddcmdprofile_v2.pdf
    Profile_Name: Content Specification for Metadata in the National Coastal Data Development Center's Data Catalog Version 2.0
