National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Seafloor Assessments
Seafloor Mapping
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | Regional,Set of sites |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | United States |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
The primary objectives of seafloor assessments are to accurately map and quantify the distribution and extent of bottom habitat types. Products developed directly support coastal zone managers tasked with making decisions to balance the competition for space in marine waters. |
Geographical scale of the assessment
Regional,Set of sites
Country or countries covered
United States
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
The primary objectives of seafloor assessments are to accurately map and quantify the distribution and extent of bottom habitat types. Products developed directly support coastal zone managers tasked with making decisions to balance the competition for space in marine waters.
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
This work directly supports coastal and marine resource management by providing bathymetry and habitat maps of the coastal ocean
Mandate for the assessment
The assessment support the US National Marine Sanctuaries Act and several executive orders including the US National Ocean Plan and US Coral Reef Conservation Act.
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Other (please specify)
Standard Hydrographic survey methods and new methods to develop habitat maps from remotely sensed acoustic imagery.
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/centers/ccma
System(s) assessed
- Marine
- Coastal
- Island
Species groups assessed
Live bottom habitats such as coral reefs
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
Regulating
Supporting Services/Functions
- Habitat maintenance
Cultural Services
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
No
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
No
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
No
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
Yes
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
2002
Year assessment finished
Ongoing
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
2020
Periodicity of assessment
One off
Assessment outputs
Report(s)
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/hawaii_cd_07/
http://ccmawebdev/ecosystems/coralreef/benthichabitats_buckisland.pdf
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425709000236
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
Journal publications
Training materials
Other documents/outputs
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Modelling
- Geospatial analysis
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
Prior to any mapping efforts a suite of stakeholder meetings were held to determine where and what to map.
Key stakeholder groups engaged
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
10-100
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Scientific information only
- Resource experts (e.g. foresters etc)
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/centers/ccma
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/hawaii_cd_07/
Assessment reports peer reviewed
No
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
No
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
Network and sharing experiences, Access to funding, Sharing of data/repatriation of data, Workshops, Developing/promoting and providing access to support tools
How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders
Yes
Knowledge generation
Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment
Yes and drives subsequent mapping efforts.
How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders
Meetings and access to products
