Benthic habitats of the coral reef ecosystem on the south shore of Moloka'i

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Cochran, Susan A., 2005, Benthic habitats of the coral reef ecosystem on the south shore of Moloka'i: Open-File Report 2005-1070, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Region Coastal and Marine Geology, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1070/

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -157.254644
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -156.736187
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 21.117247
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 21.024200
   

3. What does it look like?

   https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1070/images/mkk_bhab.gif (GIF)

   gif image of habitat polygons

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Calendar_Date: 28-Jan-2005

   Currentness_Reference:

   publication date

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
   

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • G-polygon (4211)
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

      UTM_Zone_Number: 4
      Transverse_Mercator:

      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -159.000000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000
      False_Easting: 500000.000000
      False_Northing: 0.000000
      

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.0001
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.0001
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters
      The horizontal datum used is D_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   mkk_benthic_habitats

   Shapefile attribute table (Source: None)

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: Esri)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	107322.744

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: Esri) Coordinates defining the features.

   ZONE

   Name of cross-shelf geographic zone for each GIS polygon (Source: Habitat classification scheme)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	ZONE
   Codeset Source:	Habitat digitizing extension

   AREA

   Area of polygon in sq. meters (Source: GIS calculation software)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	2914.679

   AT_ACRES

   Area of each polygon in acres (Source: GIS software calculation)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	11795287

   PERIMETER

   Perimeter of polygon in meters (Source: GIS software calculation)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	107322.744

   M_STRUCT

   Main Structure/Substrate (Source: Habitat classification scheme)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	M_STRUCT
   Codeset Source:	Habitat digitizing extension

   D_STRUCT

   Dominant Structure/Substrate (Source: Habitat classification scheme)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	D_STRUCT
   Codeset Source:	Habitat digitizing extension

   M_COVER

   Major Biological Coverage (Source: Habitat classification scheme)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	M_COVER
   Codeset Source:	Habitat digitizing extension

   UNIQUEID

   Unique 4-digit ID used to describe polygon (Source: Habitat classification scheme)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1144
   Maximum:	9000

   P_COVER

   Percent cover of Major Biological Coverage (Source: Habitat classification scheme)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	P_COVER
   Codeset Source:	Habitat digitizing extension

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Attributes are modified from NOAA/NOS/Biogeography Team's Benthic Habitat Mapping of the U.S. Pacific Territories available online at http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/us_pac_terr/

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). 2005. Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CD-ROM). NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 8, Biogeography Team. Silver Spring, MD.

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Susan A. Cochran
2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   Thanks to Pat Chavez and his group from the USGS in Flagstaff for coordinating our acquisition of the SHOALS bathymetric data and their work on processing the aerial photomosaics. With help from Ann Gibbs (USGS), they collected the deep-water video tows and also the underwater video data points used in the field check. Josh Logan (USGS Santa Cruz) created the SHOALS image used as a base layer. His help in field operations and his GIS advice were invaluable throughout the entire process. Paul Jokiel, Eric Brown and others from the University of Hawai'i assisted with field observations and insight. Will Smith (UH) and Miles Anderson (Analytical Laboratories of Hawai'i) provided many hours of discussion regarding the classification scheme, methodology, and accuracy assessments. A special mahalo goes to Captain Joe Reich, owner of the Alyce C on Moloka'i, whose exceptional navigation and local expertise were critical to the success of this project. This work was carried out under the leadership of Project Chief Michael E. Field (USGS, Santa Cruz, Calif.).

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

   Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator

   2885 Mission St

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   USA

   831-427-4747 (voice)

   pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This mapping effort was carried out as a part of a USGS effort to understand geologic processes of coral reef systems in the U.S. and its trust territorities. It is intended to provide a baseline inventory of benthic habitat resources of the south shore coral reef system of Moloka'i, Hawai'i for use by scientists, managers, and the general public. The data can be used with geographic information systems (GIS) software for research purposes.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   Classification Scheme for Benthic Habitats: U.S. Pacific Territories (source 1 of 7)

   Team, NOAA Biogeography, 2005, Benthic Habitats of the U.S. Pacific Territories Classification Scheme: NOAA\NOS\Biogeography Program, Silver Spring, Maryland.

   Online Links:

   • http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/us_pac_terr/htm/descrip.htm

   This is part of the following larger work.

   Team, NOAA Biogeography, 2005, Benthic Habitats of the U.S. Pacific Territories: NOAA/NOS/Biogeography Team, Silver Spring, Maryland.

   Online Links:

   • http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/us_pac_terr/

   Type_of_Source_Media: online
   Source_Contribution:

   Describes the polygon attributes used in the classification scheme

   Coral reef habitat digitizing extension for ArcView 3.2 (source 2 of 7)

   Buja, Ken, Unknown, Coral Reef Digitizing Extension: National Ocean Service, Silver Spring, Maryland.

   Online Links:

   • http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/apps/digitizer

   Type_of_Source_Media: Software
   Source_Contribution:

   This ArcView extension was used to digitize GIS coral reef habitat and zone polygons

   Color Aerial Photography (source 3 of 7)

   Coyne, M.S., Monaco, M.E., Anderson, M., Smith, W., Jokiel, P., Battista, T.A., Waddell, J., and Kendall, M.S., 2003, Benthic Habitats of the Main Eight Hawaiian Islands: NOAA/NOS/Biogeography Team, Silver Spring, Maryland.

   Online Links:

   • http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/hawaii_cd/htm/molokaifl.htm

   Type_of_Source_Media: online
   Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
   Source_Contribution:

   Aerial mosaics were used as a base layer for benthic habitat interpretation

   Aerial color photography (source 4 of 7)

   Coyne, M.S., Monaco, M.E., Anderson, M., Smith, W., Jokiel, P., Battista, T.A., Waddell, J., and Kendall, M.S., 2003, Benthic Habitats of the Main Eight Hawaiian Islands: NOAA/NOS/Biogeography Team, Silver Spring, Maryland.

   Online Links:

   • http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/data/photos/hawaii.shtml

   Type_of_Source_Media: online
   Source_Scale_Denominator: 35000
   Source_Contribution:

   Aerial mosaics were used as a base layer for benthic habitat interpretation

   Underwater digital video (source 5 of 7)

   USGS Western Region Coral Reef Project, Unpublished Material, Underwater digital video.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital videotape
   Source_Contribution: Used to help determine benthic habitat type
   

   Underwater still photographs (source 6 of 7)

   USGS Western Region Coral Reef Project, Unpublished Material, Underwater still photographs.

   Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
   Source_Contribution: Used to help determine benthic habitat type
   

   SHOALS bathymetry data (source 7 of 7)

   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2000, SHOALS lidar bathymetry data for Moloka'i: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Alabama.

   Online Links:

   • http://shoals.sam.usace.army.mil/Hawaii/pages/Molokai.htm

   Type_of_Source_Media: online
   Source_Contribution: Used as a base layer for interpretation of benthic habitats
   

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 2004 (process 1 of 4)

   Orthorectified mosaicked color aerial photographs and SHOALS bathymetry data in geotif format were used for the interpretation. These were loaded into ArcView 3.2 GIS software along with the NOAA Coral Reef Habitat Digitizing extension. Additional field data used for the interpretation include underwater digital video and photographs, plus diver observations. Habitat boundaries were delineated directly into the digitally referenced GIS. Polygons were saved as a shapefile. Data sources used in this process:

   • all sources were used in the digitizing process

   Date: 2004 (process 2 of 4)

   GIS topologic quality was established using ArcView extension routines that check for: Overlapping polygons Multipart polygons Sliver polygons Void polygons and Adjacency

   Date: 18-Sep-2018 (process 3 of 4)

   Metadata was edited to fix typos, to bring up to current PCMSC standards, and to add keywords to assist with data discovery. No data were changed. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Susan A. Cochran

   USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

   Geologist

   2885 Mission St.

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   USA

   (831) 460-7545 (voice)

   scochran@usgs.gov

   Date: 19-Oct-2020 (process 4 of 4)

   Edited metadata to add keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. No data were changed. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   Vector polygon boundaries were delineated by interpretation of georeferenced color aerial photography and SHOALS bathymetry data. The polygons were attributed using a modified version of the NOS/NOAA coral reef habitat digitizing extension for Esri ArcView <http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/products/apps/digitizer>. Attributes are generated directly in the shapefile and errors are not expected. The shapefiles are free of topology errors. Overall accuracy of the major habitat classifications in these data is greater than 86.27%.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   Data are complete. Habitat boundaries are based on interpretation of digital imagery data of ground conditions at the time the imagery was collected. Polygon boundaries are subject to change over time.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   All digitizing was conducted using the "heads up" on screen method. Delineation of habitat boundaries is from interpretation of georeferenced aerial photography and SHOALS bathymetry data. The digital imagery this interpretation is based on are believed to be logically consistent, although not tested.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:

USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset and in products derived from these data. This information is not intended for navigation purposes.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

   Attn: Susan A. Cochran

   2885 Mission St.

   Santa Cruz, CA
   

   U.S.A.

   831-460-7545 (voice)

   831-427-4748 (FAX)
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	Shapefile Size: 3.8
     Network links:	https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1070/mkk_bhab.zip https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1070/

   • Cost to order the data: None

5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

   To utilize these data, the user must have software capable of uncompressing the WinZip file and importing and viewing an Esri ArcMap shapefile.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 19-Oct-2020

Metadata author:

USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator

2885 Mission St

Santa Cruz, CA

USA

831-427-4747 (voice)

pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)