Metadata for Intertidal Shoreline Characteristics Inventory 1995, Whatcom County Area, Washington

(shor1995.*, shor95*.*)

Table of Contents 

Identification_Information
     Abstract 
     Purpose 
     Supplemental Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
     Detailed Description
     Overview
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Section


Identification_Information Citation_Information Originator: Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division. Publication_Date: 19970630 Title: 1995 Intertidal Shoreline Characteristics, Whatcom County Area, WA. Description Abstract Data consists of a polygon coverage of intertidal shoreline characteristics, classified according to A Marine and Estuarine Habitat Classification System for Washington State(Dethier, 1990). Includes information on system, subsystem, wave or current energy, substrate (class and subclass), and water regime. Purpose The data provides resource managers, planners and other decision-makers with information regarding intertidal habitat. The data were collected to meet in part the Nearshore Habitat Program's mandate to map the abundance and distribution of nearshore habitats in the Puget Sound for the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program. Supplemental_Information Notes: (1) Washington State is divided into two State Plane zones, north and south. The data set's coordinate values are reported in Washington State Plane south. (2) Detailed documentation of methods used to create the intertidal shoreline characteristics inventory can be found in Berry & Ritter (1997). Revisions 1.0.0 References_Cited Bailey, A., K. Ward, T. Manning. 1993. A Field Guide Characterizing Habitats Using A Marine and Estuarine Habitat Classification System for Washington State. Unpublished report. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division. Berry, H.D. and R.A. Ritter. 1997. Puget Sound Intertidal Habitat Inventory 1995: Vegetation and Shoreline Characteristics Classification Methods. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division. Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. NTIS, FWS/OBS-79/31. Dethier, M.N. 1990. A Marine and Estuarine Habitat Classification System for Washington State. Report to the Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Olympia, Washington. 56 pp. Mumford, T.F. Jr. D.J. Saul, J. A. Shaffer, A. Bailey, E. Calvert, E. Lanzer, T. Manning. 1992. Implementation Plan for the Characterization of Puget Sound Nearshore habitats. Prepared for U.S Environmental Protection Agency and Puget Sound Water Quality Authority. Olympia, Washington. 40 pp. Time_Period_of_Content Range_of_Dates/Times Beginning_Date: 199506 Ending_Date: 199508 Currentness_Reference Publication Date Status Progress: Complete. Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency The dataset represents environmental features at one instance in time. Therefore, updates to the environmental features in the dataset are not planned. New coverages will be created to reflect environmental conditions at a different time period. Updates to correct classification errors will be completed as needed. Spatial_Domain Bounding_Coordinates West_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.79519117 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.47685854 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48. 9012299 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.63656851 Keywords Theme Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: habitat, substrate, energy, beach, shoreline, water regime, nearshore, intertidal, shoreline characteristics Place Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: Whatcom County, Washington, USA, Puget Sound Stratum Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Stratum_Keyword: Temporal Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Temporal_Keyword: summer 1995 Access_Constraints none. Use_Constraints (1) Other classification systems and regulatory programs may define and describe intertidal systems in a different manner than that used in this inventory. (2) This dataset was created for use at 1:24,000 scale or smaller. (3) This information was developed for regional analysis and planning, not for site-specific planning purposes. (4) Features reflect environmental conditions in summer 1995. (5) Do not copy, modify, or distribute the dataset. (6) While efforts have been made to ensure these data are accurate and reliable, Washington State Department of Natural Resources cannot assume liability for any damages, or misrepresentations, caused by any inaccuracies in the data. Washington State Department of Natural Resources makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. Point_of_Contact Contact_Information Contact_Organization_Primary Contact_Organization: Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources,Aquatic Resources Division Contact_Address Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 1111 Washington St SE, PO Box 47027 City: Olympia State_or_Province: Washington Postal_Code: 98504-7027 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (360) 902-1100 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (360) 902-1786 Data_Set_Credit Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division, Nearshore Habitat Program; Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program. Native_Data_Set_Environment: Solaris 2.5 UNIX, ARC/INFO version 7.1.1
Data_Quality_Information
Attribute_Accuracy Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Attribute accuracy is tested by manual comparison of the source with hard copy printouts. Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment Attribute_Accuracy_Value: Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation: Logical_Consistency_Report: Polygon and chain-node topology present. Data set was reviewed and determined to have a valid range of values. Completeness_Report All intertidal areas in the study area were mapped. Intertidal area boundaries were estimated using visual features as indicators, not surveyed. Features less than 0.5 acres were not differentiated. Positional_Accuracy Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Quantitative_Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Value: +/- 40 feet Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Resolution as reported Vertical_Positional_Accuracy Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not applicable. Lineage: Source_Information Source_Citation Citation_Information Originator: Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division, Nearshore Habitat Program Publication_Date: None Title: 1995 Nearshore Habitat Program Field Surveys Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: ground based Source_Scale_Denominator: 13,000 and 11,000 Type_of_Source_Media: annotation on color infrared contact print; GPS-located, differentialy corrected field sites and forms. Source_Time_Period_of_Content Time_Period_Information Single_Date/Time Calendar_Date: 1995 Source_Currentness_Reference: source information date Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Source_Contribution: Aerial photography used to record field data and for photo interpretation of spatial and attribute information. Source_Information Source_Citation Citation_Information Originator: Sound Aerial Surveys under contract to Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division, Nearshore Habitat Program. Publication_Date: None Title: 1995 Nearshore Habitat Program Low Tide Color Infrared Aerial Photography Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image Source_Scale_Denominator: 11,000 Type_of_Source_Media: color infrared negative (9" x 9") Source_Time_Period_of_Content Time_Period_Information Single_Date/Time Calendar_Date: 199507, 199508 Source_Currentness_Reference: source photography date Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Source_Contribution: Aerial photography used for photo interpretation of spatial and attribute information. Source_Information Source_Citation Citation_Information Originator: Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Engineering Division, Resource Mapping Section Publication_Date: Variable Title: Orthophoto Maps Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image Source_Scale_Denominator: 12,000 Type_of_Source_Media: digital files and contact diazo prints Source_Time_Period_of_Content Time_Period_Information Single_Date/Time Calendar_Date: Source_Currentness_Reference: source photography date Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Source_Contribution: Base map on which delineations were registered. Process_Step: Process Description Data were compiled through manual photointerpretation of color infra-red 1:12,000 aerial photography and field notes. Delineated boundaries were transferred from interpreted photos to 1:12,000 orthophoto maps using a Zoom Transfer Scope. Process_Step: Process Description Line data were manually digitized from each 1:12,000 map manuscript into a tile registered to DNR's 5000-foot grid GIS registration tics. After tiles were digitized and checked, coverage tolerances were set as follows (in feet): Fuzzy = 1, Dangle = 0, Edit = 40, Node Snap = 40, Weed = 10, Grain = 10, Snap = 10. Process_Step: Process Description Thirteen individual, topologically correct coverages were created. Attribute values for polygon and line features were then added. Next, check plots of the tiles were reviewed for attribute and linework accuracy. Coverage edge matching was performed from north to south. Where corrections were necessary, the southern edge was edited to match the tile to the south and the eastern edge was edited to match the tile To the east. Coverage tiles were joined into a single geodataset for the entire study area and then checked for proper arc and polygon topology. Finally, tile boundaries were eliminated to create a seamless data set. A final set of check plots were generated and reviewed for linework and attribute coding accuracy.
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector Point_and_Vector_Object_Information SDTS_Terms_Description SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 442 SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: String Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 1250 SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: GT-polygon composed of chains' Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 443
Spatial_Reference_Information Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition Planar Grid_Coordinate_System Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: State_Plane_Coordinate_System Zone_Number: 5626 (U.S. Geological Survey Code) Planar_Distance_Units: FEET Geodetic Model Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1927 Ellipsoid_Name: Clarke 1866 Semi-major_Axis: 6,378,206.4 Denominator_of_Flattening: 294.98
Entity_and_Attribute_Information Detailed_Description Entity_Type Entity_Type_Label: Polygon attributes (SHOR1995.PAT, SHOR95py.*) Entity_Type_Definition: Intertidal shoreline characteristics are classified hierarchically according to A Marine and Estuarine Habitat Classification System for Washington State(Dethier, 1990). This system is based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) classification (Cowardin et al., 1979), with adaptations relevant to nearshore environments. The broadest level, the system, includes Marine and Estuarine. Systems are divided into intertidal and subtidal subsystems. Below subsyste is class and subclass, which describe the substrate type -- in this implementation a combination of class and subclass is named Substrate (subst_cd). An energy category is included to describe wave and current energy. Additional modifiers describe water regime and water chemistry. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Dethier (1990), Bailey et al. (1993). Attribute: Attribute_Label: AREA Attribute_Definition: Area of poly/region in square coverage units Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Positive real numbers Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: PERIMETER Attribute_Definition: Perimeter of poly/region in coverage units Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Positive real numbers Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: SHOR1995# Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: SHOR1995-ID Attribute_Definition: User-assigned feature number Attribute_Definition_Source: User-defined Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: SYS_CD Attribute_Definition: system classification Attribute_Definition_Source: System is defined geographically based on general salinity regime, not field measurements. Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: mar = marine est = estuarine Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Marine - Coastal areas not appreciably diluted by freshwater (surface salinities seldom falling below 30 ppt). Includes open coastal areas, straits, and euhaline inland waters. Estuarine - Waters that are semi-enclosed by land, and in which seawater is diluted by freshwater. Extends upstream and landward to where ocean-derived salts near the water surface measure <0.5 ppt during average annual low flow. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Dethier (1990) and Bailey et al. (1993). Attribute: Attribute_Label: SBSYS_CD Attribute_Definition: subsystem classification Attribute_Definition_Source: air photo interpretation and field work by Nearshore Habitat Program field scientists. Note: tidal elevation lines were estimated, not surveyed. Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: int = intertidal sub = subtidal Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Intertidal - Tidally influenced areas between extreme low water (ELW) and the upper limit of spray or ocean-derived salts. Subtidal - Constantly submerged benthic areas below extreme low water (ELW). Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Dethier (1990) and Bailey et al. (1993). Attribute: Attribute_Label: SUBST_CD Attribute_Definition: substrate classification Attribute_Definition_Source: air photo interpretation and field work by Nearshore Habitat Program field scientists Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: bed = bedrock bou = boulder har = hardpan cob = cobble mco = mixed coarse gra = gravel san = sand mfi = mixed fine mud = mud org = organic art = artificial Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Bedrock - consolidated rock substrate, including sandstone, granite, basalt, etc. Hardpan - consolidated clays forming a substrate firm enough to support an epibenthic community, yet too firm to support infauna, and with an unstable surface that sloughs frequently. Boulders - rocks greater than 256 mm (10") in diameter, large enough not to be moved by moderate wave action. Cobble - rocks 64 - 256 mm (2.5 - 10") in diameter. Mixed Coarse - A mixture of larger substrate types, including sand, gravel, cobble, and boulders, where no one type exceeds 75% surface cover. Gravel - small rocks or pebbles, 4-64 mm (0.16 - 2.50") diameter. Sand - particles of 0.06-4 mm (0.00236 - 0.16") in diameter. Mixed Fine - A mixture of smaller substrate types, including sand, mud, and gravel, where no one type exceeds 75% surface cover. Mud - Substrate of very fine particle size (less than 0.06 mm in diameter), including silt and clay. Organic - Substrate composed primarily of organic matter such as wood chips, leaf litter, other detritus. Artificial - Substrates created by humans, including docks, pilings, aquaculture, riprap, bulkheads, dikes. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Dethier (1990) and Bailey et al. (1993). Attribute: Attribute_Label: ENERG_CD Attribute_Definition: wave or current energy Attribute_Definition_Source: air photo interpretation and field work by Nearshore Habitat Program field scientists Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: opn = open pen = partially enclosed lag = lagoon csl = channel/slough Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Open - Exposed to moderate fetch and some wind waves and/or currents, but still diluted by freshwater. Partly Enclosed - Bays or river mouths partially enclosed by headlands, bars, spits, or artificial obstructions reducing circulation. Minimal wave action or currents. Lagoon - Protected, largely-enclosed pond or embayment, flushed irregularly because tidal influence is partially blocked. Channel / Slough - Narrow inlets. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Dethier (1990) and Bailey et al. (1993). Attribute: Attribute_Label: WREG_CD Attribute_Definition: Attribute_Definition_Source: air photo interpretation and field work by Nearshore Habitat Program field scientists. Note: Intertidal elevation was estimated, not surveyed. Few backshore areas were large enough to be mapped at this resolution. Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: bks = backshore eul = eulittoral Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Eulittoral - Areas between mean high water spring of spring tides(MHWS) and extreme low water ELWS), regularly inundated and uncovered by tides. Backshore - Areas above mean high water of spring tides (MHWS) but still receiving marine influence through spray or irregular flooding, such as high salt marshes and transition zone wetlands. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Dethier (1990) and Bailey et al. (1993). Entity_Type Entity_Type_Label: Line attributes (SHOR1995.AAT, SHOR95ln.*) Entity_Type_Definition: boundary line attributes between habitat features Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Nearshore Habitat Program Aquatic Resources Division, Washington State Department of Natural Resources Attribute: Attribute_Label: FNODE# Attribute_Definition: Internal number of from-node Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: TNODE# Attribute_Definition: Internal number of to-node Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: LPOLY# Attribute_Definition: Internal number of poly to left of arc Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: RPOLY# Attribute_Definition: Internal number of poly to right of arc Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: LENGTH Attribute_Definition: Length of arc in coverage units Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Positive real numbers Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: SHOR1995# Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: SHOR1995-ID Attribute_Definition: User-assigned feature number Attribute_Definition_Source: User-defined Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Integer Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Attribute: Attribute_Label: SIG_BND Attribute_Definition: Significant boundary Attribute_Definition_Source: Attribute_Domain_Values Enumerated_Domain Enumerated_Domain_Value: Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition 0 = unclassified 11 = boundary between upland and marine/estuarine areas. Approximate extreme high water spring. 12 = boundary between subtidal and intertidal areas. Approximate extreme low water. 13 = boundary between marine and estuarine systems. 14 = boundary between backshore areas and eulittoral areas. Approximate mean higher high water. 15 = Boundary between different energy values. 16 = Boundary between different substrate types. 99 = Boundary at the edge of a study area or at the edge of a digitized section. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Nearshore Habitat Program, Aquatic Resources Division, Department of Natural Resources Related_Spatial_and_Tabular_Data_Sets The shoreline characteristics attribute codes can be related to classification categories as defined by A Marine and Estuarine Habitat Classification for Washington State (Dethier, 1990). They can also be related to codes that adopt the National Wetlands Inventory classification structure. The primary keys of code tables are carried in the coverage .PAT as foreign keys. Each code table includes the code (*_cd), the attribute name (*_name), and the hierarchical levels based on the NWI classification: Table = systm_cd.dbf Primary key = sys_cd + sbsys_cd Table = subst_cd.dbf Primary key = subst_cd Table = energ_cd.dbf Primary key = energ_cd Table = wreg_cd.dbf Primary key = w_reg_cd Table = wchem_cd.dbf Primary key = w_chem_cd. This table cannot be joined to the .PAT table because water chemistry was not classified. It is included because it is part of the complete classification. Table = smod_cd.dbf Primary key = smod_cd. This table cannot be joined to the .PAT table because water chemistry was not classified. It is included because it is part of the complete classification. In order to link shoreline characteristics attributes to the complete habitat type description according to Dethier (1990), a table is provided that summarizes habitat types as described in the classification system and the page number reference for each habitat type description: Table name: clas_lst.dbf Primary key = combination of all *_cd fields. Nwi_code = the code based on NWI classification format. Page_no = the page number referenced in Dethier (1990). Clas_name = the complete name of the classified habitat type. Overview_Description Entity_and_Attribute_Overview This layer delineates intertidal shoreline characteristics in the Whatcom County area, classified according to A Marine and Estuarine Habitat Classification System for Washington State (Dethier, 1990). Polygon attributes include feature identifiers, feature measurements, and the following attribute codes: system, subsystem, substrate (class and subclass), energy and water regime. Line attributes include feature measurements and significant boundary codes.
Distribution_Information Distributor Contact_Organization_Primary Contact_Organization: Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State Department of Natural Resources,Aquatic Resources Division Contact_Address Address_Type: mailing address Address: PO Box 47027 City: Olympia State_or_Province: Washington Postal_Code: 98504-7027 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (360) 902-1100 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (360) 902-1786 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Resource_Description: This dataset is part of the 1995 Intertidal Habitat Inventory, Whatcom County,WA on CDROM. Standard_Order_Process Digital_Form Digital_Transfer_Information Format_Name: ARC/INFO export file (SHOR1995.e00) and ARC/INFO shape files (SHOR95*.*) Format_version_number: ARC/INFO 7.1.1 Format_specifications: Export parameter: no compression Digital_Transfer_Option Offline_Option Offline_Media: CDROM Recording_Format ISO 9660 Compatibility_Information: ISO 9660 format allows the CDROM contents to be accessible to any computer on most operating systems. Fees: None
Metadata_Reference_Section Metadata_Date: 19970630 Metadata_Contact: See Contact Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: 19940608 Metadata_Time_Convention: Local Time Metadata_Security_Information: Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None Metadata_Security_Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Metadata_Security_Handling_Description: None
Last modified: 97-06-11.