Lidar Seafloor Reflectivity for U.S. Virgin Islands

170.8 square kilometers of 3x3 meter resolution relative seafloor reflectivity data were collected for shallow waters around St. Thomas and St. John. The dataset was acquired by Fugro LADS in collaboration with NOAA, the University of New Hampshire, and the National Park Service during thirteen sorties from January to February 2011. It captures seabed characteristics at depths between 0 and 40 meters using a Nd:YAG laser system.

Use Cases

• Classify seabed substrate types (e.g., sand, seagrass, coral) using the relative reflectivity values across 170.8 square kilometers.
• Map bathymetric features and underwater topography by correlating reflectivity data with depth information from 0 to 40 meters.
• Monitor changes in coastal morphology by comparing this 2011 baseline reflectivity surface with newer surveys.
• Assess habitat suitability for marine species by analyzing spatial patterns in the 3x3 meter resolution reflectivity grid.

Strengths

• High-resolution 3x3 meter spot spacing with 200% seabed coverage for detailed analysis.
• Covers a substantial 170.8 square kilometer area of the coastal zone.
• Data collection involved multiple authoritative organizations including NOAA and the National Park Service.

Limitations

• Data is from a single campaign in early 2011 and may not reflect current seabed conditions.
• Coverage and data quality were influenced daily by environmental factors like water clarity and cloud cover.
• The dataset is limited to shallow depths (0-40m) around two specific islands, not representative of deeper or other regions.

Provenance

Source

Fugro LADS, NOAA's NOS/NCCOS/CCMA Biogeography Branch, University of New Hampshire, National Park Service.

Collection Method

Acquired via LADS Mark II Airborne System laser (1064 nm) from aircraft at 1,200-2,200ft altitude, processed using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software.

Time Range

Data acquired from 2011-01-29 to 2011-02-28.

Freshness

Single collection campaign; last updated 2011-02-28.

Geography

Shallow seabed surrounding St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, in NAD83 UTM Zone 20N.