National Eelgrass Dataset For Canada: Distribution Map from 1987 to Present

NETForce is a national map of eelgrass bed locations and distribution across Canada, compiled by a collaborative task force including government, academia, NGOs, and Indigenous groups. The dataset spans from 1987 to the present and was collected using various techniques like species distribution models, sonar, aerial photography, and satellite imagery. Data is organized by Federal Marine Bioregions and is intended to be an evergreen resource for monitoring and decision-making.

Use Cases

• Modeling eelgrass habitat distribution based on compiled observation data and biogeographic regions.
• Monitoring changes in coastal ecosystems over time based on the multi-decadal data span from 1987.
• Assessing survey methodology impact on habitat data based on the variety of mapping techniques used.
• Supporting conservation planning and collective decision-making based on the national, publicly accessible map.

Strengths

• Data spans from 1987 to the present, providing a multi-decadal temporal scope.
• Compiled from a diverse partnership of federal, provincial, municipal, academic, NGO, and Indigenous sources.
• Includes uncertainty metadata when available from original providers.
• Uses standardized field names and is organized by established Federal Marine Bioregions.

Limitations

• Data collection methods and purposes vary widely across sources, requiring considerable care in use.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent from the provided input; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, via the National Eelgrass Task Force (NETForce) collaborative partnership.

Collection Method

Collated from various providers using techniques including species distribution models, benthic sonar, field measurements, aerial photography, and satellite imagery.

Time Range

1987 to present

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-24 09:10:14.205912; the map is intended to be evergreen with future additions.

Geography

Canada, organized by Federal Marine Bioregions