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 Fish and Wildlife Commission Florida Marine Research Institute
      Publication_Date: 19991119
      Title: Benthic Habitats of Florida Bay, FL 1991-1995
      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map
      Publication_Information:
        Publication_Place: Charleston, SC
        Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, Coastal Services Center (CSC)
      Online_Linkage: ftp://ftp.csc.noaa.gov/pub/benthic/fl_fb95.zip
      Online_Linkage: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/data/southeast/florida.htm
      Online_Linkage: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/
      Online_Linkage: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/
      Larger_Work_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Florida Marine Research Center
          Originator: Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Coastal Services Center (CSC)
          Publication_Date: 19991217
          Title: Benthic Habitats of Florida Bay, Florida, 1991-1995, CD-ROM
          Publication_Information:
            Publication_Place: Charleston, SC
            Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, Coastal Services Center (CSC)
  Description:
    Abstract: In the winter of 1991/92 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Services Center's Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) and the State of Florida commissioned the National Ocean Service's Photogrammetry Unit, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), to acquire conventional color metric aerial photography of Florida Bay suitable for interpretation of photic benthic habitats (scale of 1:48,000). Additional photography was acquired by NGS in 1995 to cover areas of the bay that were not interpretable due to turbidity and glare during the original mission. The imagery was collected according to stringent parameters detailed in the C-CAP protocol (http://www.csc.noaa.gov/crs/lca/ccap.html). The original photographic diapositives were interpreted by two ecologists, familiar with the local environment.  The benthic signatures were interpreted from the photography using Bausch and Lomb Zoom Stereoscopes and Richards Light Tables.  The boundaries of each unique signature were delineated on acetate overlays and assigned one of 20 habitat classes. Only the central 'sweet spot' of each frame was interpreted to minimize the effects of sun glint. An ecologist at the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) conducted thematic quality assurance and control. Following interpretation, Coastal Services Center staff scanned the aerial photos, with the interpreted acetate overlays attached, using a photogrammetric quality scanner (AGFA Horizon Plus) at a resolution of 600 dpi resulting in a pixel resolution of 2.03 meters.  The resulting image file was rectified (second order bilinear interpolation) using ERDAS Imagine software. Ground control points were selected from features common to digital orthophotoquads of Florida Bay. The interpreted polygon habitats were digitized into an ARC coverage from the rectified files using ERDAS Imagine software's vector module. In 1999, the final edits and quality control of the habitat polygons were completed. The coverage and shoreline were edge matched to the Benthic Habitats of the Florida Keys Atlas to complete the coverage, as the dates of photography, methodology and classification system used were the same.
    Purpose: Loss of seagrass beds, persistent phytoplankton blooms, and elevated turbidity are symptoms of major ecological changes in Florida Bay.  These changes threaten important fisheries associated with Florida Bay and the adjacent Florida Keys. Marine and estuarine seagrass beds are vital linkages in the ecosystem of Florida Bay and are essential for the maintenance of healthy fish populations. These beds cycle nutrients and stabilize the sediments as well as provide direct benefits to fisheries in the form of food and shelter. In addition, seagrass beds are connected to other ecologically and economically valuable systems, such as mangrove, coral reef and continental shelf communities.  Quantification of the status and recent change in the spatial distribution of seagrass is central to understanding the distribution and extent of these declines and to guide research and management efforts.
  Time_Period_of_Content:
    Time_Period_Information:
      Range_of_Dates/Times:
        Beginning_Date: 1991
        Ending_Date: 1995
    Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition
  Status:
    Progress: Complete
    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: unknown
  Spatial_Domain:
    Bounding_Coordinates:
      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -81.1428
      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -80.3419
      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.2733
      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 24.6853
  Keywords:
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Theme_Keyword: Environmental Monitoring
      Theme_Keyword: Florida Bay
      Theme_Keyword: seagrass
      Theme_Keyword: photo-interpretation
      Theme_Keyword: field verification
      Theme_Keyword: image rectification
      Theme_Keyword: submerged aquatic vegetation
      Theme_Keyword: corals
      Theme_Keyword: benthic habitats
      Theme_Keyword: CSC Benthic Habitat Mapping
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
      Theme_Keyword: biota
      Theme_Keyword: environment
    Place:
      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Place_Keyword: Florida
      Place_Keyword: Florida Bay
  Access_Constraints: none
  Use_Constraints: none
  Point_of_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        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: 29405-2409
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: (843) 740-1234
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (843) 740-1289
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: csc@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm Eastern Standard Time
Data_Quality_Information:
  Attribute_Accuracy:
    Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Florida Bay Accuracy: The digitized benthic habitats of Florida Bay data have undergone two accuracy evaluations.  Cartographers performed the first accuracy evaluation after the data were compiled.  As each digital data files was compiled, a hard copy was generated and visually compared to the original source classified photography.  Geographers performed the second evaluation while the data were transformed into geographic information systems.  As each digital data were incorporated into the GIS, topology was constructed and corrected as needed.  Also, hard copy maps were prepared and cross checked with original data.  The keys edge of the bay was edge matched with the Benthic Habitats of Florida Keys Atlas to complete the coverage and incorporate a shoreline.  The dates of photography, methodology and classification system used for both projects were equivalent.
  Logical_Consistency_Report: Unknown
  Completeness_Report: Images on the western-most edge were not rectifiable due to lack of features.  Thus the boundaries along the western edge are not spatially registered.
  Positional_Accuracy:
    Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
      Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: 8 meters overall
    Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
      Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: N/A
  Lineage:
    Source_Information:
      Source_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Marine Research Institute
          Originator: Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Coastal Services Center (CSC)
          Publication_Date: 19991119
          Title: Conventional color metric aerial photographic diapositives (1:48,000) flown by NGS 1991,1992 and 1995 of Florida Bay, Florida
          Edition: 1.0
          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
          Publication_Information:
            Publication_Place: Silver Spring, MD
            Publisher: NGS
      Source_Scale_Denominator: 48000
      Type_of_Source_Media: Conventional color metric aerial photographic diapositives
      Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
        Time_Period_Information:
          Range_of_Dates/Times:
            Beginning_Date: 1991
            Ending_Date: 1995
        Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
      Source_Citation_Abbreviation: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center
      Source_Contribution: Unknown
    Process_Step:
      Process_Description: Benthic Habitats: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) staff conducted the aerial photographic mission.  Contracted ecologists and Florida Marine Research Institute staff developed the classification scheme.  The ecologists and FMRI staff participated in ground-truthing, classification, and review of the benthic classifications.  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Services Center Coastal Change Analysis Program staff made digital compilations of the photographic information and created digital map layers in a Geographic Information System (GIS).Aerial Photography: True color aerial photographs of Florida Bay were acquired by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Remote Sensing Division during overflights occurring from December 1991 through March 1992.  Due to glare and turbidity in certain areas, additional photography was acquired during 1995.  A Wild RC-30 camera mounted in a Cessna Citation II Fanjet aircraft was used to acquire the 1:48,000 (1 cm =480 m) source photography.  Each photograph covered approximately 160 km2.  An 80 percent endlap and 60 percent sidelap between adjacent photographs ensured both complete coverage and the presence of adequate reference locations necessary for determining positional accuracy.  Approximately 80 photos provided monoscopic coverage and were used to delineate benthic habitats.Establishing a Habitat Classification Scheme: Two recognized ecologists, both with local knowledge of Florida Bay and extensive expertise in marine habitats, were responsible for interpreting and delineating the benthic communities seen on the aerial photographs.  These two ecologists, along with the FMRI staff, developed the hierarchical classification scheme used for this coverage.  The habitat classification scheme is composed of 24 benthic communities in four major habitat categories: corals, seagrasses, hardbottom, and bare substrate.  Special modifiers were attached to the classes to denote dredge zones, banks, and restoration areas.Photointerpretation: The ecologists and FMRI staff interpreted and then delineated benthic habitats on the aerial photos.  The minimum habitat area delineated was 0.5 ha.  Ground truthing was conducted to verify that benthic habitats seen in the water were properly identified on aerial photographs.  Researchers were able to conduct most ground truthing of benthic communities while snorkeling.  Field information about the benthic habitat and site GPS locations were recorded.  The completed photos were reviewed for content and accuracy by the ecologists and FMRI staff and then sent to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for digital compilation.Digital Compilation of Aerial Photographs: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Services Center Coastal Change Analysis Program staff inspected each photograph for completeness of delineations, photograph discrepancies, and areas of turbidity.  The aerial photographs, with the interpreted acetates attached, were scanned using a photogrammetric quality scanner (AGFA Horizon Plus) at a resolution of 600 dpi resulting in a pixel resolution of 2.03 meters.  The resulting image field was rectified interpolation bilinear (second order) by Coastal Change Analysis Program using ground control points drawn from 1 meter color digital orthophotos of Florida Bay.  The southern edge of Florida Bay dataset was edge matched to the Benthic Habitats of the Florida Keys Atlas.  The rectification and digitization was completed utilizing the ERDAS Imagine software package.Quality Control: A review of the data was conducted in two phases: 1) an on-line review to ensure line and attribute completeness, comparison to the ecologists' delineations, and positional accuracy; and 2) a review of 1:48,000 scale maps of the compiled data against the original source photos.
      Process_Date: Unknown
      Process_Contact:
        Contact_Information:
          Contact_Organization_Primary:
            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: USA
          Contact_Voice_Telephone: (843)740-1200
          Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (843)740-1224
          Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: csc@noaa.gov
          Hours_of_Service: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm Eastern Standard Time
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: 2753
Spatial_Reference_Information:
  Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
    Planar:
      Grid_Coordinate_System:
        Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
        Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
          UTM_Zone_Number: 17
          Transverse_Mercator:
            Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996
            Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -81
            Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0
            False_Easting: 50000
            False_Northing: 0
      Planar_Coordinate_Information:
        Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair
        Coordinate_Representation:
          Abscissa_Resolution: 0.0000001
          Ordinate_Resolution: 0.0000001
        Planar_Distance_Units: meters
    Geodetic_Model:
      Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983
      Ellipsoid_Name: GRS1980
      Semi-major_Axis: 6378137
      Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 294.98
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
  Detailed_Description:
    Entity_Type:
      Entity_Type_Label: fl_bay_final.pat
      Entity_Type_Definition: Polygon Attribute Table
      Entity_Type_Definition_Source: None
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Area
      Attribute_Definition: Area of polygon
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Software computed
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 24.828
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 321649312.000
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Perimeter
      Attribute_Definition: Perimeter of polygon
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Software computed
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 19.161
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 734260.000
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Fl_bay_final#
      Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Software computed
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 2
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 2760
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Fl_bay_final-id
      Attribute_Definition: Feature identification number
      Attribute_Definition_Source: User Defined
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Range_Domain:
          Range_Domain_Minimum: 1
          Range_Domain_Maximum: 2759
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Habitat
      Attribute_Definition: Describes habitat as interpreted from aerial photography. Classes: SD  Continuous moderate to dense seagrass beds (greater than 50%); SS Sparse continuous beds; SPS Dense patches of seagrass in a matrix of sparse seagrass ( greater than 50%); SDB Discontinuous moderate to dense seagrass beds (greater than 50%); SPH Dense patches of seagrass (greater than 50%) in a matrix of hardbottom; SPP Predominantly sand/mud with small, scattered seagrass patches (less than 50%); HS Hardbottom with perceptible seagrass (less than 50%); T Tidal creek; BM Bare carbonate mud; BS Bare carbonate sand; InW Inland water; L Land; U Unknown bottom, uninterpretable. Modifiers: _b on a bank; _d dredged; _r restored
      Attribute_Definition_Source: FKMNS Benthic Habitat Classification
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Unrepresentable_Domain: Character field
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Class
      Attribute_Definition: Describes general habitat as interpreted from aerial photography without modifier. Classes: SD  Continuous moderate to dense seagrass beds (greater than 50%); SS Sparse continuous beds; SPS Dense patches of seagrass in a matrix of sparse seagrass (greater than 50%); SDB Discontinuous moderate to dense seagrass beds (greater than 50%); SPH Dense patches of seagrass (greater than 50%) in a matrix of hardbottom; SPP Predominantly sand/mud with small, scattered seagrass patches (less than 50%); HS Hardbottom with perceptible seagrass (less than 50%); T Tidal creek; BM Bare carbonate mud; BS Bare carbonate sand; InW Inland water; L Land; U Unknown bottom, uninterpretable
      Attribute_Definition_Source: FKMNS Benthic Habitat Classification
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Unrepresentable_Domain: Character field
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Modifier
      Attribute_Definition: Classification modifiers: _b on a bank; _d dredged; _r restored
      Attribute_Definition_Source: FKMNS Benthic Habitat Classification
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Unrepresentable_Domain: Character field
Distribution_Information:
  Distributor:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: NOAA Coastal Services Center
        Contact_Person: Clearinghouse Manager
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: mailing and physical
        Address: 2234 South Hobson Ave.
        City: Charleston
        State_or_Province: SC
        Postal_Code: 29405
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 843-740-1210
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 843-740-1224
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: clearinghouse@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time
  Resource_Description: Downloadable Data
  Distribution_Liability: This data is meant only for use as it pertains to the CD-ROM Product.
  Custom_Order_Process: Contact NOAA Coastal Services Center's Clearinghouse Manager and request a copy of "Benthic Habitats of Florida Bay, Florida, 1991-1995, CD-ROM".  Alternatively, fill out a CSC Product Request Form at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/clearinghouse/prodreq_form.html
Metadata_Reference_Information:
  Metadata_Date: 20100519
  Metadata_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: NOAA Coastal Services Center
      Contact_Position: Metadata Specialist
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: mailing and physical
        Address: 2234 South Hobson Ave.
        City: Charleston
        State_or_Province: SC
        Postal_Code: 29405
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 843-740-1200
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 843-740-1224
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: clearinghouse@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 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
