Benthic Substrate Type Data for Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP) collaborated on a biogeographic assessment to support management plan revisions for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The dataset provides information on the distribution of benthic resources, specifically substrate type, to inform policy decisions on marine zoning and boundary adjustments. The assessment is part of a series initiated for sanctuaries along the U.S. west coast.

Use Cases

• Analyzing benthic substrate distribution for marine zoning proposals within the sanctuary.
• Supporting sanctuary boundary adjustment assessments with geospatial resource data.
• Informing habitat management plans by mapping the physical characteristics of the seafloor.
• Providing a baseline geospatial layer for ecological studies in the Channel Islands region.

Strengths

• Dataset was developed through a formal collaboration between NOAA's NCCOS and the NMSP for direct policy application.
• Assessment is part of a structured series applied to multiple National Marine Sanctuaries, indicating a tested methodology.
• Data collection was designed to address specific public-raised issues on resource distribution for management.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided by any source, limiting technical understanding.
• There is a conflict in last updated dates: one source reports 2006-01-01, while another reports a future date of 2026-03-13.
• The exact data format (e.g., raster, vector) and annotation methodology within the ZIP/PDF files are unspecified.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP).

Collection Method

Biogeographic assessment conducted as part of a collaborative management plan revision process.

Freshness

2006-01-01

Geography

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS), off the coast of California, USA.