Data is in support of a survey of benthic communities in across a salinity gradient Pensacola Bay during Summer 2016. Data describe the fauna community composition and corresponding sediment parameters (including sediment grain size and trace metal concentrations). Benthic habitat condition is estimated using benthic index approaches developed for Gulf estuaries (GOM B-IBI and EMAP-E). All taxonomic nomenclature follows the World Register of Marine Species (http://www.marinespecies.org/). Samples were collected using a 232 cm2 surface area box corer, and 0.5-mm mesh sieve. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Nestlerode, J., M. Murrell, J. Hagy, L. Harwell, and J. Lisa. Bioassessment of a Northwest Florida Estuary Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, KS, USA, 16(2): 245-256, (2020).

Data is in support of a survey of benthic communities in across a salinity gradient Pensacola Bay during Summer 2016. Data describe the fauna community composition and corresponding sediment parameters (including sediment grain size and trace metal concentrations). Benthic habitat condition is estimated using benthic index approaches developed for Gulf estuaries (GOM B-IBI and EMAP-E). All taxonomic nomenclature follows the World Register of Marine Species (http://www.marinespecies.org/). Samples were collected using a 232 cm2 surface area box corer, and 0.5-mm mesh sieve. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Nestlerode, J., M. Murrell, J. Hagy, L. Harwell, and J. Lisa. Bioassessment of a Northwest Florida Estuary Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, KS, USA, 16(2): 245-256, (2020).

Benthic macrofauna community data, measured water quality parameters, and benthic index calculations from Pensacola Bay, 2016-2017. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Paul, J., J. Nestlerode, and B. Jarvis. Evaluating the effectiveness of M-AMBI with other biotic indexes in a temperate estuary. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, USA, 193: 10, (2023).

Benthic macrofauna community data, measured water quality parameters, and benthic index calculations from Pensacola Bay, 2016-2017. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Paul, J., J. Nestlerode, and B. Jarvis. Evaluating the effectiveness of M-AMBI with other biotic indexes in a temperate estuary. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, USA, 193: 10, (2023).

This dataset contains information on benthic invertebrate community structure of samples collected from nearshore index monitoring stations within a Great Lake basin each year. The composition of benthic invertebrates (such as insects, worms, mussels, snails and crayfish) found in a sample is used as a biological indicator of trophic status and general environmental conditions to help understand ecosystem function, structure and change. Surveys are typically conducted in one of the Great Lakes basins each year. In most cases, five replicate samples (600 μm mesh, 9-inch ponar) were collected at each station. This dataset links with Sediment chemistry (Great Lakes nearshore areas) and Water chemistry (Great Lakes nearshore areas) datasets.

Data produced for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). This data set consists of digital data describing the seagrass, unvegetated bottom, open water, algal beds, oysters, and apparent shoreline for the Southwest Florida Seagrass project area,which consists of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, San Carlos Bay, the lower Caloosahatchee River, and Estero Bay, in 1999. The data set includes an ArcInfo coverage that was digitized from 1:24000 scale natural color aerial photographs that were photogrammetrically georeferenced utilizing GPS ground control points. Data was stereoscopically photointerpreted and digitized using a Zeiss P3 analytical stereoplotter. The seagrass beds and additional categories were classified according to the FDOT Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System (FLUCCS). Minimum mapping unit (mmu) for all classes was 0.25 acres. A Photointerpretation Key was developed to aid in the classification of collected data. Ground truthing was performed during the photointerpretation phase to ensure classification accuracy and consistency of PI. Digital files were created in Microstation design file format (.dgn). 1999 SWIM Seagrass data was translated from ARC/Info to .dgn format and was referenced as collateral tie information during the compilation process. These data were collected under a cooperative mapping program between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management (NOAA\OCM), and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). The primary objectives of this program were to collect marine geophysical data to develop a suite of seafloor maps to better define the extent of oyster habitats, the overall seafloor geology of the bay and provide updated information for management of this resource. In addition to their value for management of the bay's oyster resources, the maps also provide a geologic framework for scientific research and the public. Original contact information: Contact Org: NOAA Office for Coastal Management Phone: 843-740-1202 Email: coastal.info@noaa.gov

In the winter of 1991/92 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office for Coastal Management'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 (https://coast.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, Office for Coastal Management 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. Original contact information: Contact Org: NOAA Office for Coastal Management Phone: 843-740-1202 Email: coastal.info@noaa.gov

These data provide several geoform data products for the Gulf of Maine derived from NOAA's BlueTopo bathymetric grid products. The spatial domain of these data extends from the landward limit of BlueTopo tiles seaward to the 24-nautical-mile Contiguous Zone boundary. These data support coordinated ocean planning among three state partnership agencies, between state and federal organizations, and for the public at large. The Gulf of Maine is an area rich in history, natural resources, and ocean uses. Effective planning for new infrastructure and changes in ocean use requires accurate data and collaboration among multiple stakeholders and resource management organizations. To address long-expressed regional needs, NOAA's Office for Coastal Management collaborated with the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to develop a regional geomorphology dataset. This dataset serves as a framework for collaborative planning and assessment. Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) geoforms for the area were generated using NOAA's BlueTopo bathymetric products. Semiautomated methods were employed to ensure consistent mapping of features across the region. Following the semiautomated process, additional interpretation, guided by regional marine geology and mapping experts, was conducted to add and refine features of interest not detected automatically. Efforts to expand and update this product are planned. The layers available within the data download include: confidence_update, geoform, geoform_interpreted, and isobath. Partners: Maine Coastal Program, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, New Hampshire Coastal Program, and NOAA Office of Coast Survey

In 2006 and 2007 the NOAA Office for Coastal Management purchased services to process existing digital multi-spectral imagery (ADS-40) and create digital benthic habitat data from this imagery for selected Texas coastal bend bays.The Center worked cooperatively with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas A and M University Center for Coastal Studies to develop benthic habitat data, primarily Submerged Aquatic Vegetation(SAV) for several coastal bays. This data will support the state's recently adopted Seagrass Monitoring Program which calls for regional mapping of SAV for status and trends assessment. The Center, Texas A and M, and TPWD have coordinated on the requirements of this project. Original contact information: Contact Org: NOAA Office for Coastal Management Phone: 843-740-1202 Email: coastal.info@noaa.gov

In 2006 and 2007 the NOAA Office for Coastal Management purchased services to process existing digital multi-spectral imagery (ADS-40) and create digital benthic habitat data from this imagery for selected Texas coastal bend bays.The Center worked cooperatively with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas A and M University Center for Coastal Studies to develop benthic habitat data, primarily Submerged Aquatic Vegetation(SAV) for several coastal bays. This data will support the state's recently adopted Seagrass Monitoring Program which calls for regional mapping of SAV for status and trends assessment. The Center, Texas A and M, and TPWD have coordinated on the requirements of this project. Original contact information: Contact Org: NOAA Office for Coastal Management Phone: 843-740-1202 Email: coastal.info@noaa.gov