Table and accompanying photographs for biogeomorphic classification of shorebird nesting sites on the U.S. Atlantic coast from May to August, 2014

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Metadata:

Identification_Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Emily J. Sturdivant
Originator: E. Robert Thieler
Originator: Sara L. Zeigler
Originator: Luke A. Winslow
Originator: Megan K. Hines
Originator: Jordan S. Read
Originator: Jordan I. Walker
Publication_Date: 2016
Title:

Table and accompanying photographs for biogeomorphic classification of shorebird nesting sites on the U.S. Atlantic coast from May to August, 2014

Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Tabular digital data and JPEG photographs
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F70V89X3
Online_Linkage:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/57e051c5e4b09082500213b0

Online_Linkage:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/57e051c5e4b09082500213b0/?name=iplover_fieldpts_2014_photos.zip

Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Biogeomorphic classification and images of shorebird nesting sites on the U.S. Atlantic coast

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F70V89X3
Online_Linkage:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/57dc687ae4b090824ffdd4ab

Description:

Abstract:

Atlantic coast piping plover (Charadrius melodus) nest sites are typically found on low-lying beach and dune systems, which respond rapidly to coastal processes like sediment overwash, inlet formation, and island migration that are sensitive to climate-related changes in storminess and the rate of sea-level rise. Data were obtained to understand piping plover habitat distribution and use along their Atlantic Coast breeding range. A smartphone application called iPlover was developed to collect standardized data on habitat characteristics at piping plover nest locations. The application capitalized on a network of trained monitors that observe piping plovers throughout their U.S. Atlantic coast breeding range as part of the species’ recovery plan. Monitors used iPlover to document nest locations as well as randomly distributed points at beaches and barrier islands over ~1500 km of coast between Maine and North Carolina, USA. This work is one component of a larger research and management program that seeks to understand and sustain ecological value, ecosystem services, and habitat suitability of beaches in the face of storm impacts, climate change, and sea-level rise. Tabular digital data generated by field data collection with iPlover with accompanying site photographs in JPEG format are presented in this data release.

Purpose:

Data (tabular digital data of field data and JPEG images) were obtained to understand the biogeomorphic characteristics of piping plover (Charadrius melodus) habitat along their U.S. Atlantic coast breeding range.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20140529
Ending_Date: 20140730

Currentness_Reference: ground condition

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Not planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -76.34725831
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -69.98218428
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 43.49606856
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 34.82823709

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier
Theme_Keyword: USGS:57e051c5e4b09082500213b0

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey
Theme_Keyword: USGS
Theme_Keyword: Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Theme_Keyword: CMGP
Theme_Keyword: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Theme_Keyword: WHCMSC
Theme_Keyword: Piping Plover
Theme_Keyword: Charadrius Melodus
Theme_Keyword: coasts
Theme_Keyword: smartphone application
Theme_Keyword: shorebird
Theme_Keyword: shorebird nesting
Theme_Keyword: point data
Theme_Keyword: JPEG images

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: biota
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: habitats
Theme_Keyword: birds
Theme_Keyword: migratory species
Theme_Keyword: biogeography
Theme_Keyword: image collections
Theme_Keyword: photography
Theme_Keyword: coastal ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: geospatial datasets
Theme_Keyword: wildlife biology

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: U.S. Atlantic East Coast
Place_Keyword: continental United States
Place_Keyword: east coast
Place_Keyword: Atlantic Margin
Place_Keyword: Maine
Place_Keyword: Maryland
Place_Keyword: Massachusetts
Place_Keyword: New Jersey
Place_Keyword: New York
Place_Keyword: North Carolina
Place_Keyword: Long Island
Place_Keyword: Assateague Island
Place_Keyword: Cape Hatteras
Place_Keyword: Cape Lookout
Place_Keyword: Chincoteague Island
Place_Keyword: Marthas Vineyard
Place_Keyword: Monomoy Island
Place_Keyword: Rhode Island
Place_Keyword: Virginia
Place_Keyword: Parker River

Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints:

Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. The U.S. Geological Survey requests to be acknowledged as originator of these data in future products or derivative research.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: E. Robert Thieler
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Road
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508) 548-8700 x2350
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rthieler@usgs.gov

Data_Set_Credit:

Acknowledgment of the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program as a data source would be appreciated in products developed from these data, and such acknowledgment as is standard for citation and legal practices for data source is expected.

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Klaus K.E. Neuendorf
Originator: James P. Mhel Jr.
Originator: Julia A. Jackson
Publication_Date: 2011
Title: Glossary of Geology
Edition: 5th edition
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Alexandria, VA
Publisher: The American Geosciences Institute

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Originator: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Publication_Date: 2016
Title: The PLANTS Database
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Greensboro, NC
Publisher: National Plant Data Team

Online_Linkage: www.plants.usda.gov

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Paul J. Godfrey
Publication_Date: 1976
Title:

Comparative ecology of East Coast barrier islands: hydrology, soil, vegetation.

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Annapolis, MD
Publisher: The Conservation Foundation

Other_Citation_Details: pages 5-31

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: E. Robert Thieler
Originator: Sara L. Zeigler
Originator: Luke A. Winslow
Originator: Megan K. Hines
Originator: Jordan S. Read
Originator: Jordan I. Walker
Publication_Date: 2016
Title:

Smartphone-based distributed data collection enables rapid assessment of shorebird habitat suitability

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: San Francisco, CA
Publisher: PLoS ONE

Online_Linkage: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0164979

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

iPlover users selected attributes for Geomorphic Setting, Substrate Type, Vegetation Type, and Vegetation Density that best characterized each nest or random point location. As such, there may be some variation in the assessment of a category between individual users. The reliability of the user-chosen classification was estimated as described below.
The accuracy of the classifications of Geomorphic Setting, Substrate Type, Vegetation Type, and Vegetation Density was evaluated using the classification of four subject-matter experts as validation (Thieler and others, 2016). The expert validation was performed on a 10 percent random sample of points collected using iPlover in both 2014 and 2015 (k = 181, n = 1799). Values in the 2014 dataset were reclassified to 2015 values to reflect changes in the classification scheme for the 2015 version of the application that provided greater specificity and conformance with biogeomorphic nomenclature. The reclassification process is described in the Process Steps and the reclassified values are included in the last four attribute columns of the table.
Subject-matter experts used the photograph and geolocation of each sample point to assign the biogeomorphic classification (across all four variables) using 2015 classification values. Experts were selected based on their experience and history of relevant publications on the geology and geomorphology of coastal environments in the study domain, as well as demonstrated expertise in the interpretation of remotely sensed data. Truth values for each sample point were selected according to expert consensus.
The following percentages indicate the agreement between expert consensus and field user classification for all test points for which expert consensus could be determined: 58% for geomorphic setting (90 agreeing points out of 156 truth), 80% for substrate type (121 out of 151), 84% for vegetation type (141 out of 167), and 77% for vegetation density (118 out of 153) (see Table 2 and Supplemental Table 2 in Thieler and others, 2016). Of the 181 locations, an expert consensus could be reach in 151, 167, and 153 cases for substrate type, vegetation type, and vegetation density respectively. Systematic errors were more common for the substrate and vegetation variables compared to Geomorphic Setting (Table 3 in Thieler and others, 2016). What experts classified as Sand was frequently classified as Shell/Gravel/Cobble by iPlover field users and vice versa, accounting for 86% of the differences in this variable. Vegetation Type was frequently classified as Herbaceous by experts and as None by iPlover users and vice versa, accounting for 81% of the differences for this habitat variable. Finally, the most frequent differences in Vegetation Density were between None and Sparse (51% of differences) and between Sparse and Moderate (23%; Table 3 in Thieler and others, 2016). The most common differences between the classifications of iPlover field users and experts occurred at the "boundaries" of categorical habitat characteristics. For example, what some experts classified as Backshore, other experts and the field user classified as Beach. If an obvious wrackline or geomorphic feature such as a berm was not visible to separate these two geomorphic settings, points that fell between the ocean and the dune toe could be reasonably characterized as either Beach or Backshore. Experts and iPlover field users also disagreed frequently over whether a point fell in no vegetation or sparse vegetation or whether a point fell within sparse or moderate vegetation cover. Experts and iPlover field users were instructed to visually estimate vegetation density and did not use field-based techniques such as quadrat sampling to quantify density. Therefore, differences in classifications between experts and iPlover field users would be expected in places where vegetation density was close to 20%, separating Sparse from Moderate vegetation, or close to 90%, separating Moderate from Dense vegetation.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

No additional checks for topological consistency were performed on this data.

Completeness_Report:

This dataset contains all of the points in the iPlover application in 2014 logged at piping plover nest sites and generated random locations except 108 records logged for testing purposes. Seventy-nine data records are missing photographs and four data records had images removed for privacy concerns.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Positional accuracy was estimated by comparing the smartphone geolocation data to that collected by a SpectraPrecision SP80 GNSS receiver at 44 piping plover nest points in Virginia and Massachusetts. We determined the horizontal difference between the geolocation data obtained from iPlover (i.e., the smartphone’s built-in geolocation functionality; Table 1 in Thieler and others, 2016) with high-resolution nest location data collected with the GNSS receiver. Smartphones from 2008 to present (2016) (beginning with the 3G iPhone) use a hybrid positioning system that combines A-GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular positioning methods that are generally accurate within 3-8 m (Zandbergen 2009; Boccardo et al. 2015). GNSS data consist of a combination of real-time kinematic and post-processed positions that are accurate within 3±2 cm in the horizontal. GNSS data are thus two orders of magnitude more accurate than average smartphone GPS data, so we were able to evaluate smartphone accuracy easily. The differences in x (0.3 +/- 4.4 m) and y (0.08 +/- 5.7 m) UTM coordinates of the smartphone and GNSS locations are nearly distributed around zero. The average difference between the GNSS points and the smartphones was 5.8 +/- 4.2 m. We did not find spatial variability in accuracy from site to site. For one site where we had repeated measurements at different times on the same day, the difference in geolocation was well within the error reported here. The ‘accuracy’ attribute indicates the location accuracy reported by geolocation application program interface (API). These values tend to be imprecise.
References: Boccardo P, Chiabrando F, Dutto F, Tonolo F, Lingua A. UAV Deployment Exercise for Mapping Purposes: Evaluation of Emergency Response Applications. Sensors. 2015;15(7):15717. doi:10.3390/s150715717. Zandbergen PA. Accuracy of iPhone Locations: A Comparison of Assisted GPS, WiFi and Cellular Positioning. Transactions in GIS. 2009;13:5-25. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9671.2009.01152.x.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Data were collected in the field with the iPlover smartphone application. iPlover data were collected during the breeding season (~April-August) in 2014.
Prior to field collection, all data collectors participated in a training seminar and were given written protocols (https://github.com/usgs/iplover/blob/master/iPloverUserGuide.pdf). Users recorded (i) information on the habitat characteristics at a given location, (ii) images of the habitat, and (iii) spatial coordinates of the location of either a piping plover nest or a random point.
Users logged two types of sites: nest sites and random points. The nest sites were identified by users in the course of monitoring efforts. Random point locations were randomly generated and sent to data collectors by Sara L. Zeigler. Random point generation was constrained by the boundaries of pre-determined sub-sites. These boundaries usually were defined by the terrestrial extent of a barrier island. Random points were collected to represent unsuitable biogeomorphic characteristics. If the user could not access the location for a random point, the values were determined by USGS project scientist Sara L. Zeigler using available remotely sensed data and subsequently verified in the field. This manual entry occurred outside of the database and thus did not record values for 'id', 'datetime' nor 'accuracy'.
Once at the site, users logged a data point by selecting ‘New Nest Site’ within iPlover, version 1.2 (Figure 2 in Thieler and others, 2016). This opened a field survey page where they 1) logged the geolocation, date, and time, 3) took a photograph, and 4) categorized the biogeomorphology of the site and included any additional notes. To log the geolocation, date, and time, they held the mobile device directly over the site and selected lock location, at which point the app recorded the geolocation coordinates, date, and time detected by the device’s internal sensors. They next stepped 5 m away from the site to take a photograph using the device’s built-in camera. Next, the user manually completed a simple habitat assessment according to a fixed set of variables and their potential categorical values listed in iPlover. Users were instructed to base their habitat assessment on the area within a 5x5 m area containing the nest site at its center. Users assigned a value for each of the four habitat variables - Geomorphic Setting, Substrate Type, Vegetation Type, and Vegetation Density – by selecting a radio button (Figure 2 in Thieler and others, 2016). Users typed a site identification and notes in free text fields. iPlover records were locally stored on smartphones while users were in the field. Once an Internet connection was available, users uploaded locally-stored records to a central PostgreSQL (version 9.4) database. If a user was unable to access the application in the field, they recorded the data with their own tools and sent the data to an iPlover administrator. The administrator manually entered the records into the database. These records are indicated by the value 'Manual entry' for the 'clientversion' attribute.
The data first passed through a Java parser on a server at the USGS EROS Data Center that converted the JSON data produced by the iPlover application into insert statements that are used against the PostgreSQL (version 9.4) table. The photos were uploaded to a separate server with greater storage capacity (Amazon Web Services S3 bucket). Most photographs uploaded through the application did not retain EXIF data because of the privacy practices of the individual users or the mobile operating systems.

Process_Date: 20140529

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

At the end of the field collection season, the PostgreSQL (version 9.4) 'entries' table was exported into a comma-separated values (CSV) file. The photos were downloaded from the cloud server. The table was manipulated as a DataFrame object in the Scientific PYthon Development EnviRonment (Spyder, version 2.3.9) and saved as a CSV as follows:
1) Attributes that were of no further use were removed, i.e. ‘usercertid’, ‘altitude’, ‘altaccuracy’, ‘notes’, and 'imagekey'. Altitude and the associated altitude accuracy had no relationship to the data because they were logged with a highly imprecise mobile device.
2) The attribute 'imagefile' was created and populated in Microsoft Excel (version 14.6.6) by extracting the last 20 characters of the imagekey text string using the RIGHT function. The image filenames from the 'imagefile' attribute were checked against the existing image files; when an image file listed in 'imagefile' did not exist, the value was replaced with ‘MISSING’. Four photos were removed for privacy concerns. Photos that were removed are indicated with the text ’REMOVED’ in the ‘imagefile’ attribute.
3) Any rows that did not record a unique piping plover nest site or random point were removed. These included records used for various tests, records of American oystercatcher nest sites, and records of duplicate sites. These points were identified using values in the location and notes attributes and by viewing the photos. For example, all records for which the notes attribute value indicated that the record was logged as a test were eliminated.

Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: Emily Sturdivant

Contact_Position: GIS Specialist
Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508) 548-8700 x2230
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: esturdivant@usgs.gov

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Values in the 2014 dataset were based on Gieder and others (2014), but were reclassified to 2015 values to reflect changes in the classification scheme for the 2015 version of the application that provided greater specificity and conformance with biogeomorphic nomenclature.
When iPlover was updated between 2014 and 2015, choices used for the various biogeomorphic state classifications were reorganized, modified, and added to better reflect characteristics observed in the field. To enable analysis of the combined datasets, values logged in 2014 were reclassified to the choices used in 2015. The reclassified values are included in the last four attribute columns of the table, indicated by attribute names with the suffix “_2.”
The reclassification was performed manually by USGS project scientist Sara L. Zeigler using the following reclassification table. The first column records the 2014 classification values and columns 2–5 indicate the reclassification to 2015 values for each biogeomorphic variable. Cells with an asterisk indicate that multiple reclassification values were possible and the scientist would use the site photo to determine the appropriate classification.
The reclassification of values for substrate type varied based on the vegetation type values. For example, a substrate value of 'sandy' would be reclassified as 'ShellGravelCobble' if the vegetation type was 'shellbed'. The 'wetland' substrate was reclassified to MudPeat except in one instance where 'vegtype' was classified as 'water' instead of 'herbaceous'. At some points, multiple reclassification values were possible. There, researchers examined the site photographs to determine the classification intended by the iPlover user. For example, a substrate value of 'sandy' was reclassified as 'Water' at two points where site photograph suggested that it would be submerged at mean high water levels.


Geomorphic Setting ('setting' --> 'setting_2')
(blank) --> *
barrierinterior --> BarrierInterior
beach --> Beach
blowout --> Dune
dune --> Dune
lowduneforedune --> Dune
ridgeswale --> RidgeSwale
upperbeach --> Backshore
washover --> Washover

Substrate Type ('substrate' --> 'substrate_2')
forestshrub --> Sand
sandy --> Sand or ShellGravelCobble or Water; based on vegetation type classification and site photograph
unknown --> * or ShellGravelCobble; based on vegetation type classification
wetland --> MudPeat or Water; based on vegetation type classification

Vegetation Density ('vegdens' --> 'vegdens_2')
dense --> Dense
moderate --> Moderate
none --> None
sparse --> Sparse

Vegetation Type ('vegtype' --> 'vegtype_2')
herbaceous --> Herbaceous
shellbed --> None
water --> None
woodyshrub --> Shrub

Reference: Gieder, K.D., Karpanty, S.M., Fraser, J.D., Catlin, D.H., Gutierrez, B.T., Plant, N.G., Turecek, A.M., and Thieler, E.R., 2014, A Bayesian network approach to predicting nest presence of the federally-threatened piping plover (Charadrius melodus) using barrier island features: Ecological Modelling, v. 276, p. 38-50, doi: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2014.01.005.

Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: Sara L. Zeigler

Contact_Position: Project Scientist
Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508) 548-8700 x2350
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: szeigler@usgs.gov

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

EXIF data for the photographs were populated using the ASCII table of field collection data. This was necessary because most photographs uploaded through the application did not include EXIF data. The lack of EXIF data was caused by privacy practices of the users or the mobile operating systems.
Attribute formatting was modified in Microsoft Excel for Mac OS (version 14.6.6) to match the requirements for EXIF data: The ‘datetime’ attribute was split into two attributes: ‘date’ and ‘time’ with all formatting removed. The attributes and final formatting was as follows: id = unique-id-string.jpg; lat = DD.dddddd; lon = -DD.dddddd; time = hhmmss; date = YYYYMMDD. A Python (version 2.7.3) script (write_exif_ejs.py) was then run that incorporated this information, along with additional information, into the appropriate locations in the EXIF header of each full-resolution JPEG image. The PYTHON script uses ExifTool (version 9.4.6.0) to write the information to the image headers of the full-resolution images. The following tags were populated in the JPEG image headers. Information is duplicated in some tags. This was done because different software packages access different tags. GPS tags: The values populated are unique for each image and based on the information exported from the iplover_fieldpts_2014.csv file. These positions and time actually represent when the data was recorded in the iPlover app, which should be 5 m and a few seconds offset from the location and time at which the photograph was actually taken according to standard iPlover data collection.

GPSLatitudeRef
GPSLatitude
GPSLongitudeRef
GPSLongitude
GPSTimeStamp
GPSDateStamp

JPEG tags: The tag is listed along with the information used to populate it - which is the same for every image taken. comment: Photo collected in iPlover citizen science application in conjunction with characterizing the biogeomorphology of shorebird nesting sites. Released as a US Geological Survey - ScienceBase data release by E. Robert Thieler with tabular dataset of biogeomorphic classifications. EXIF tags: The tag is listed along with the information used to populate it - which is the same for every image. ImageDescription: Photograph collected in iPlover, 2014

Artist: Anonymous iPlover user
Copyright: Public Domain - please credit U.S. Geological Survey

IPTC tags: The tag is listed along with the information used to populate it - which is the same for every image.

Credit: US Geological Survey
Contact: WHSC_data_contact@usgs.gov
Keywords: Shorebird habitat, US Atlantic coast, USGS
CopyrightNotice: Public Domain - please credit U.S. Geological Survey
Caption-Abstract: Photograph collected in iPlover, 2014

XMP tags: The tag is listed along with the information used to populate it - which is the same for every image.

Caption: Photograph collected in iPlover, 2014

To extract the information from the image headers using ExifTool, the following command can be used (tested with ExifTool version 9.4.6.0): exiftool.exe -csv -f -filename -GPSTimeStamp -GPSLongitude -GPSLatitude -n -Artist -Credit -comment –Contact -keywords -Caption -Copyright -CopyrightNotice -Caption-Abstract -ImageDescription *.jpg > out.csv The -csv flag writes the information out in a comma-delimited format. The -n option formats the latitude and longitude as signed decimal degrees.

Process_Date: 20160718
Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: Emily Sturdivant

Contact_Position: GIS Specialist
Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508) 548-8700 x2230
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: esturdivant@usgs.gov

Process_Step:

Process_Description: USGS Thesaurus keywords added to the keyword section.
Process_Date: 20180720
Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: VeeAnn A. Cross

Contact_Position: Marine Geologist
Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 384 Woods Hole Road
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2251
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: vatnipp@usgs.gov

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword.

Process_Date: 20200807
Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: VeeAnn A. Cross

Contact_Position: Marine Geologist
Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 384 Woods Hole Road
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2251
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: vatnipp@usgs.gov

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 575

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.00000001
Longitude_Resolution: 0.00000001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: decimal degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: iplover_fieldpts_2014.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:

These files contain attribute information for the classification of biogeomorphic attributes and imagery of coastal habitats associated with shorebird nesting sites for 2014.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: id
Attribute_Definition:

Unique identifying string generated by iPlover application. The id value is used as the file name of the photo taken for the point.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover application
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: character set

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: na
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Not Applicable - Record was created outside of iPlover PostgreSQL database and has no ID value.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover application

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: clientversion
Attribute_Definition:

Textual description of the version of the iPlover application used by the user, i.e., installed on their device. Points entered manually by an administrator without the iPlover application are coded here as 'Manual entry'.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover application
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1.2-SNAPSHOT
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

1.2-SNAPSHOT is the version of the iPlover application code used for data collection in 2014. It refers to the most updated form (snapshot, as termed in in Maven java programming) of iPlover version 1.2.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover application

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Manual entry
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

An iPlover administrator manually entered values provided by the field user into the database at this point.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover application

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: datetime
Attribute_Definition:

Date and time when the data were recorded in the field in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM format. Records that were manually entered in the database do not include the time (YYYY-MM-DD).

Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2014-05-29 10:24
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2014-08-25 13:13

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 2014-05-02
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Data were recorded manually in the field on May 2, 2014.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover user

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 2014-06-06
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Data were recorded manually in the field on June 6, 2014.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover user

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: na
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Not Applicable - Record was created outside of iPlover PostgreSQL database and has no date or time value.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover application

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: latitude
Attribute_Definition: Latitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of data point.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Smartphone GPS
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 34.82823709
Range_Domain_Maximum: 43.49606856
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: signed decimal degrees
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1.0E-8

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: longitude
Attribute_Definition:

Longitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of data point. West longitude is recorded as negative values

Attribute_Definition_Source: Smartphone GPS
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: -76.34725831
Range_Domain_Maximum: -69.98218428
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: signed decimal degrees
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1.0E-8

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: accuracy
Attribute_Definition:

The location accuracy reported by the smartphone in meters. These values tend to be imprecise. In iPhones, values are reported in 5m increments. When accuracy was not reported, such as when the data were recorded outside of iPlover, accuracy was left blank.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Smartphone GPS
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 3
Range_Domain_Maximum: 30
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data was logged outside of iPlover application and accuracy was not recorded.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover application

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: site
Attribute_Definition:

Identifier given to the nest either by iPlover user or by the generator of the random point.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover user defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: character set

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: setting
Attribute_Definition:

Geomorphic setting of data point as identified by the user selecting one of eight radio button choices within the iPlover application. When geomorphic setting was not reported, such as when the data were recorded outside of iPlover, setting was left blank.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover user
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data was logged outside of iPlover application and geomorphic setting was not recorded.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: iPlover user

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: barrierinterior
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Barrier Interior” selected by user - All areas spanning the interior boundary of the dunes (or backshore in the absence of dunes) on the ocean-side to the interior boundary of the marsh, dunes, or backshore on the back-barrier side. This setting was typically used to describe areas that did not fall into any other geomorphic setting (e.g., washovers, ridge/swale complexes).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: beach
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Beach” selected by user - The area between the ocean- or sound-side study area boundary and the mean high water line (approximated by the upper-most wrack line in the field).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: blowout
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Dune Blowout” selected by user - "A general term for a small saucer-, cup-, or trough-shaped hollow or depression formed by wind erosion on a preexisting dune or other sand deposit, esp. in an area of shifting sand or loose soil, or where protective vegetation is disturbed or destroyed; the adjoining accumulation of sand derived from the depression, where recognizable, is commonly included" (Neuendorf and others, 2011).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: dune
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Dune” selected by user - A low mound, ridge, bank, or hill of loose, windblown granular material (generally sand), either bare or covered by vegetation, capable of movement from place to place but retaining its characteristic shape (Neuendorf and others, 2011). In this study, “dune” also describes low-lying areas between dunes (or “interdune” regions) that are part of the larger dune complex.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: lowduneforedune
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Low Dune/Foredune” selected by user - A coastal dune or dune ridge of loose, windblown granular material (generally sand) oriented parallel to the shoreline, occurring at the landward margin of the beach, along the shoreward face of a beach ridge, or at the landward limit of the highest tide, variably bare or covered by vegetation.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: ridgeswale
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Beach Ridge/Swale” selected by user - Long sub-parallel ridges and swales aligned obliquely across the regional trend of the contours. In this study area, these occur typically at the downdrift ends of barrier islands or spits (e.g., a low peninsula or barrier ending in a recurved spit such as the southern end of Assateague Island) (Neuendorf and others, 2011).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: upperbeach
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Upper Beach” selected by user - The upper, usually dry, zone of the shore or beach, lying between the high-water line of mean spring tides and the upper limit of shore-zone processes; it is acted upon by waves or covered by water only during exceptionally severe storms or unusually high tides (Neuendorf and others, 2011).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: washover
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Washover” selected by user - A fan of material deposited from the ocean landward on a mainland beach or barrier island, produced by storm waves breaking over low parts of the mainland beach or barrier and depositing sediment either landward (mainland beaches) or across a barrier island into the bay/sound (barrier islands). A washover typically displays a characteristic fan-like shape (Neuendorf and others, 2011).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: vegtype
Attribute_Definition:

Predominant vegetation type within 5x5 m area around point as identified by the user selecting one of four radio button choices within the iPlover application. Vegtype may not always agree with vegdens due to confusion of user. In some cases, users selected vegtype none and vegdens or vegdens none, but categorized vegtype.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover user
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: herbaceous
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Herbaceous” selected by user - Areas containing primarily herbaceous vegetation and lacking shrubs, trees, or any other vegetation with woody stems (Forb/herb growth habit; U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015). In this study, the Herbaceous vegetation type typically described the vegetation cover found in Godfrey’s (1976) (i) “grassland” ecological zone along the backshore and dunes, dominated by beach grasses (e.g., Ammophila breviligulata) or (ii) “intertidal marsh” ecological zone dominated by cordgrass (e.g., Spartina patens).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Godfrey, 1976

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: shellbed
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Shell Bed” selected by user - Areas with substrate containing a mixture of sand, shell or rock fragments, or large rocks (shell/gravel/cobble) which precludes the presence of vegetation.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Godfrey, 1976

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: water
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Water” selected by user - Areas of water, which precludes the presence of vegetation.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Godfrey, 1976

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: woodyshrub
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Woody/Shrub” selected by user - Areas containing multi-stemmed woody plants or trees (Subshrub and Shrub growth habits, Tree growth habit; U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015). In this study, the Shrub vegetation type typically described vegetation cover found in Godfrey’s (1976) “shrublands” or “woodlands/forests” ecological zone found in stable dune systems or barrier island interiors.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Godfrey, 1976

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: vegdens
Attribute_Definition:

Predominant vegetation density within 5x5 m area around point (None, Sparse, Moderate, or Dense) as estimated by the user and selected from one of four radio button choices within the iPlover application. Vegdens may not always agree with vegtype due to confusion of user. In some cases, users selected vegtype none and vegdens or vegdens none, but categorized vegtype.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover user
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: dense
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

"Dense [greater than] 90%" selected by user - Vegetation covered more than 90% of the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: moderate
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

"Moderate 20-90%" selected by user - Vegetation covered 20-90% of the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: none
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

"None" selected by user - No vegetation observed in the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: sparse
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

"Sparse [less than] 20%" selected by user - Vegetation was apparent and covered less than 20% of the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: substrate
Attribute_Definition:

Predominant substrate type within 5x5 m area around point as identified by the user selecting one of four radio button choices within the iPlover application.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover user
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: forestshrub
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Forest/Shrub” selected by user - Areas containing multi-stemmed woody plants or trees (Subshrub and Shrub growth habits, Tree growth habit; U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015). In this study, the Shrub vegetation type typically described vegetation cover found in Godfrey’s (1976) “shrublands” or “woodlands/forests” ecological zone found in stable dune systems or barrier island interiors.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: sandy
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Sandy” selected by user - Rock or mineral grains with diameters between 0.074 and 4.76 mm (Neuendorf and others, 2011). In this study, a predominantly “sandy” substrate consisted of finer grains with no discernible shells fragments or large rock fragments.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: wetland
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Wetland” selected by user - A low-lying and regularly wet or flooded area that is usually composed of mud or peat.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: unknown
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

“Unknown” selected by user - substrate type is unknown or missing.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: imagefile
Attribute_Definition:

JPEG photo filename if the image is present in the dataset. Values 'MISSING' or 'REMOVED' indicate whether the file was not retrieved by the server or removed to address privacy concerns.

Attribute_Definition_Source: iPlover application
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: character set

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: MISSING
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Image file is not present in the dataset because it could not be retrieved from the server.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: REMOVED
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Image file was removed from the dataset to protect the privacy of individuals.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: setting_2
Attribute_Definition:

Reclassified to agree with the coding used in analysis starting in 2015. The value was reclassified from that selected in iPlover version 1 in 2014, which is recorded in attribute 'setting'.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Sara L. Zeigler
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: *
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Geomorphic setting unknown or missing.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Backshore
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The upper, usually dry, zone of the shore or beach, lying between the high-water line of mean spring tides and the upper limit of shore-zone processes; it is acted upon by waves or covered by water only during exceptionally severe storms or unusually high tides (Neuendorf and others, 2011). In this study, the Backshore geomorphic setting occurred between the mean high water line and either (i) the dune toe, (ii) the edge of developed areas, or (iii) the edge of dense vegetation (or forest).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: BarrierInterior
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The Barrier Interior geomorphic setting described all areas spanning the interior boundary of the dunes (or backshore in the absence of dunes) on the ocean-side to the interior boundary of the marsh, dunes, or backshore on the back-barrier side. This setting was typically used to describe areas that did not fall into any other geomorphic setting (e.g., washovers, ridge/swale complexes).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Beach
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The relatively thick and temporary accumulation of loose, water-borne material (usually well-sorted sand and pebbles, accompanied by mud, cobbles, boulders, and smoothed rock and shell fragments) that is in active transit along, or deposited on, the shore zone between the limits of low water and high water (Neuendorf and others, 2011). In this study, the Beach geomorphic setting occurred between the ocean- or sound-side study area boundary and the mean high water line (approximated for by the upper-most wrack line in the field).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Dune
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

A low mound, ridge, bank, or hill of loose, windblown granular material (generally sand), either bare or covered by vegetation, capable of movement from place to place but retaining its characteristic shape (Neuendorf and others, 2011). In this study, “dune” also describes low-lying areas between dunes (or “interdune” regions) that are part of the larger dune complex.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: RidgeSwale
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The point occurs in a ridge/swale complex: long sub-parallel ridges and swales aligned obliquely across the regional trend of the contours. Common on the “hooks” (i.e., a low peninsula or barrier ending in a recurved spit and formed at the end of a bay; e.g., the hook of Chincoteague Island) of barrier islands of the Mid-Atlantic, USA (Neuendorf and others, 2011).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Washover
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

A fan of material deposited from the ocean landward on a mainland beach or barrier island, produced by storm waves breaking over low parts of the mainland beach or barrier and depositing sediment either landward (mainland beaches) or across a barrier island into the bay/sound (barrier islands). A washover typically displays a characteristic fan-like shape (Neuendorf and others, 2011).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: vegtype_2
Attribute_Definition:

Reclassified to agree with the coding used in analysis starting in 2015. The value was reclassified from that selected in iPlover version 1 in 2014, which is recorded in attribute 'vegtype'. Predominant vegetation type within 5x5 m area around point (None, Herbaceous, Shrub, or Forest). Vegetation type may not always agree with vegetation density due to confusion of user.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Sara L. Zeigler
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Forest
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Areas containing trees and tall (greater than 5 m) shrubs (Tree growth habit; U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015). In this study, the Forest vegetation type typically described vegetation cover found in Godfrey’s (1976) “woodlands/forests” ecological zone found in barrier island interiors and dominated by deciduous (e.g., Quercus velutina), pine (e.g., Pinus rigida), and juniper (e.g., Juniperus virginiana) species.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Godfrey, 1976

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Herbaceous
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Areas containing primarily herbaceous vegetation and lacking shrubs, trees, or any other vegetation with woody stems (Forb/herb growth habit; U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015). In this study, the Herbaceous vegetation type typically described the vegetation cover found in Godfrey’s (1976) (i) “grassland” ecological zone along the backshore and dunes, dominated by beach grasses (e.g., Ammophila breviligulata) or (ii) “intertidal marsh” ecological zone dominated by cordgrass (e.g., Spartina patens).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Godfrey, 1976

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: None
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Areas lacking vegetation of any type. Such areas were common on beaches, backshores, and washovers that frequently or recently experienced wave-action.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Shrub
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Areas containing low (less than 5m), multi-stemmed woody plants (Subshrub and Shrub growth habits; U.S. Department of Agriculture 2015). In this study, the Shrub vegetation type typically described vegetation cover found in Godfrey’s (1976) heath-like “shrublands” ecological zone in stable dune systems.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Godfrey, 1976

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: vegdens_2
Attribute_Definition:

Reclassified to agree with the coding used in analysis starting in 2015. The value was reclassified from that selected in iPlover version 1 in 2014, which is recorded in attribute 'vegdens'. Predominant vegetation density within 5x5 m area around point (None, Sparse, Moderate, or Dense) as estimated by the user and selected from one of four radio button choices within the iPlover application. Vegdens may not always agree with vegtype due to confusion of user. In some cases, users selected vegtype none and vegdens or vegdens none, but categorized vegtype.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Sara L. Zeigler
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Dense
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Vegetation covered more than 90% of the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Moderate
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Vegetation covered 20-90% of the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: None
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

No vegetation observed in the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sparse
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Vegetation was apparent and covered less than 20% of the 5x5 m area surrounding an iPlover data point or map cell.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: substrate_2
Attribute_Definition:

Attribute_Definition_Source: Sara L. Zeigler
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: MudPeat
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

A sticky, fine-grained, predominantly clay- or silt-sized marine detrital sediment (Neuendorf and others, 2011).

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sand
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Rock or mineral grains with diameters between 0.074 and 4.76 mm (Neuendorf and others, 2011). In this study, a predominantly “sandy” substrate consisted of finer grains with no discernible shells fragments or large rock fragments.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Neuendorf and others, 2011

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: ShellGravelCobble
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

In this study, Shell/Gravel/Cobble described substrate containing a mixture of sand, shell or rock fragments, or large rocks.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Water
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Water is the substrate type for any iPlover data point or location that (i) is always submerged (e.g., points several meters into the ocean, bay, or inland water body) or (ii) was submerged at the time of iPlover point collection (i.e., intertidal regions of beaches). Typically, only random points are classified as water because plovers would not nest there.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: *
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Substrate type unknown or missing.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: The first line of the CSV file is a header line.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302
City: Denver
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80225
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1-888-275-8747
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: sciencebase@usgs.gov

Resource_Description:

The USGS data release contains the biogeomorphic classification and accompanying photographs of points recorded in the citizen science application iPlover. The data release includes a zip file of a comma-separated values file (iplover_fieldpts_2014.csv) and a folder with corresponding site photographs (JPEG) collected by the users on their mobile devices (iplover_fieldpts_2014_photos.zip). The CSV file is also available as a separate file for download.

Distribution_Liability:

Neither the U.S. Government, the Department of the Interior, nor the U.S. Geological Survey, nor any of their employees, contractors, or subcontractors, make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, nor represent that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data or related materials. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: JPEG
Format_Information_Content:

The zip file contains a 0.09 MB comma-separated values (CSV) text file (iplover_fieldpts_2014.csv) and a 1519 MB folder of images (‘iplover_fieldpts_2014_photos’). The 'imagefile' attribute in the CSV indicates the file name of the accompanying photograph in the folder of photos. The CSV is also available for separate download.

File_Decompression_Technique: Use WinZip, 7zip, Peazip, pkUnzip or Archive Utility
Transfer_Size: 1519

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/57e051c5e4b09082500213b0/?name=iplover_fieldpts_2014_photos.zip

Network_Resource_Name:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/57e051c5e4b09082500213b0

Access_Instructions: Data can be downloaded via the Internet.

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: CSV
Format_Information_Content:

The 'imagefile' attribute in the CSV indicates the file name of the accompanying photograph in the folder of photos. The CSV is also included in the images zip file (iplover_fieldpts_2014_photos.zip) with the image folder.

File_Decompression_Technique: Use WinZip, 7zip, Peazip, pkUnzip or Archive Utility
Transfer_Size: 0.09

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/57e051c5e4b09082500213b0/?name=iplover_fieldpts_2014_csv.zip

Network_Resource_Name:

https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/57e051c5e4b09082500213b0

Access_Instructions: Data can be downloaded via the Internet.

Fees: none

Technical_Prerequisites:

The user must have software capable of uncompressing archived zip files, such as WinZip or Pkware. These data are available as a generic ASCII formatted data file. The user must have a software program capable of reading the comma-delimited data file. An image viewer can be used to see the JPEG images.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20211119
Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Emily Sturdivant
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey

Contact_Position: GIS Specialist
Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 384 Woods Hole Road
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543-1598
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508) 548-8700 x2230
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (508) 457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov
Contact_Instructions:

The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the metadata contact is no longer with the USGS or the email is otherwise invalid.

Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time
Metadata_Access_Constraints: None
Metadata_Use_Constraints: None

This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/SB_data_release/DR_F70V89X3/iplover_fieldpts_2014_metadata.html>