Links
The following links provide a starting point for exploring different
types of benthic habitat mapping information. Each link will open in
a new browser window, and unless otherwise noted, most of the links
lead to Web sites hosted and maintained by non-governmental organizations.
Please note that topic specific links are included throughout this web
site.
Meetings and Societies | Remote Sensing | Educational | Federal Programs | Academic Research | State Programs | Habitat Assessments
Meetings and Professional
Societies
The
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
From this site, you are able to read abstracts and submit papers
to the Journal of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing (Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing). In order
to get the full benefit of this database, you must first sign up
for free database access. Once you are logged in you may search
the database by specifying a number of different parameters.
Benthic Ecology Meeting 2006
Meeting information, including registration and abstract submission, is available for the Benthic Ecology Meeting 2006, hosted by Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada, from March 8 to12, 2006.
GEOHAB Conference
Meeting information is available (in PDF format) for the Marine Geological and Biological Habitat Mapping (GEOHAB) Seventh International Symposium, to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, from May 3 to 6, 2006. The Web site also includes conference proceedings from previous years, news notices, and other resources.
International Society of Acoustic Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere
and Oceans (ISARS)
ISARS, the International Society of Acoustic Remote Sensing of the
Atmosphere and Oceans, is an informal association of scientists from
all over the world. Its main activity is the organization of Symposia
on Acoustic Remote Sensing and Associated Techniques of the Atmosphere
and Oceans. This web site is intended to grow into an information system
about acoustic remote sensing of the atmosphere and oceans, especially
for people who are new in this field.
SPI Colloquium of Experts
The Sediment Profile Imagery Colloquium of Experts (SPICE) was held in Galway, Ireland, on April 5 to 7, 2004. This site highlights conference information, publication of proceedings, and an overview on the early beginnings of Sediment Profile Imagery (SPI) from 1970 to 2000.
Remote Sensing Applications
Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS)
The Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS)
is the only national association of firms in the surveying, spatial
data and geographic information systems field in the United States.
MAPPS member firms are engaged in surveying, photogrammetry, satellite
and airborne remote sensing, aerial photography, hydrography, aerial
and satellite image processing, GPS and GIS data collection and conversion
services. This site contains information on how to become a member,
MAPPS events, MAPPS library, and job opportunities as a MAPPS member.
NOAA's Remote
Sensing for Coastal Management Site
This site provides information on various satellite sensors, applications
of the data from these sensors, and ways to order satellite products.
In addition, you can link to the NOAA Coastal Services Center home
page through this site.
Overview of seabed mapping technologies in the context of marine
habitat classification
The above paper is available on the Working Group on the Effect of
Extraction of Marine Sediments on the Marine Ecosystem web site.
It was presented at the 2000 Annual Science Conference in Brugge,
Belgium.
The paper address side-scan sonar, multibeam swath bathymetry, acoustic
ground discrimination systems, and sub-bottom profilers.
Educational Information
ReefVid
A collection of over 500 coral reef video clips is freely available for educational and resource use from this site.
Activities/Lesson Plans
Hydrothermal Vent Communities
This is a great site for anyone wanting to learn about hydrothermal
vent communities. This site explores a lesson plan geared towards 7th – 10th
grade students that covers introduction, lesson objectives, vocabulary, "story,"
summary, vocabulary review, self test, and student activity relating
to hydrothermal vent communities.
Eelgrass Habitat
This web page provides teachers with lesson plans for grades 7th – 9th
that will familiarize students with the eelgrass habitat. General background
information and vocabulary is addressed first, followed by the student
activity.
Teacher Resources
The Discovery of Hydrothermal Vents 25th Anniversary
This site connects you with the Education Overview for the Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). From this page teachers can go to K-12
resources to link in with Dive and Discover: Expeditions to the Seafloor.
This site contains a wealth of information and resources for teachers
and marine science educators.
NOAA Ocean Explorer Program – Seabed Mapping Projects
Summaries or tools used for ocean exploration projects from 2001 – 2003.
Information on the history and technology of ocean exploration can
be found on the NOAA Ocean Explorer site as well as lesson plans and
professional development opportunities for marine science educators.
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Laser Line Scan Mapping for Seafloor Habitats
This page from the NOAA Ocean Explorer web site discusses how laser
line scan mapping could be used to assist scientists in finding a more
efficient technique to provide high resolution information on the seafloor
and be statistically useful. Background information is provided on
how fish populations were previously assessed and why laser line scan
mapping may be a good alternative.
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Continuing the Legacy of Lewis and Clark
Summary, exploration goals, and long-term objectives for a modern
day Corps of Discovery to continue the legacy of Lewis and Clark.
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Next Generation Tools: Multibeam Side-Scan Sonar
Summary of project on next generation tools designed to evaluate
advanced remote-sensing technology for future broad-scale seafloor
mapping
expeditions and to determine the feasibility of using ships for this purpose.
Discovery of Estuarine Environments: Dredging and Disposal of Marine
Deposits
This site describes the policy and management of dredging and disposal
of marine deposits in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. There is a student
activity available on this site called "Getting to the Bottom
of it All." To explore other areas besides policy management,
you can return to the home page to explore any component of the Discovery
of Estuarine Environments.
The Emerging Role of Marine Geology in Benthic Ecology
This site focuses on a paper entitled "The Emerging Role of Marine
Geology in Benthic Ecology." In addition to general background
information, the tools and techniques that assist marine
geologists strengthening their understanding of the benthic habitat are described.
A variety of contacts are provided for use by the general public, students,
teachers, media, scientists/researchers, and so forth.
Federal Government Programs
NOAA Biogeography Program
Information can be found on benthic habitat mapping in coral reef areas,
reef fish ecology, and habitat suitability using geographic information
systems as well as products (customized GIS tools) and tools (links
to websites with spatial data and free software) from NOAA's
Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA).
USGS Nearshore Benthic Habitat Project
The USGS Coastal and Marine Geology programs designed this site to
assist state and national agencies in preserving and enhancing marine
resources in the nearshore benthic habitat. The two areas currently
studied are Alaskan benthic habitats and Southern California marine
protected areas. Preliminary field results and project summaries are
available for each of these two study areas.
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USGS Alaska Benthic Habitat Project – Benthic habitat
mapping at Glacier Bay, Alaska: Integrating physical structure and
biohabitats
The project description, application of research, progress and products
are outlined on this site for the USGS Alaska Benthic Habitat Project.
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USGS
National Geologic Studies of Benthic Habitats, Northeastern United
States – Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
This site explores the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
by providing background information, and a variety of photographs,
posters,
CD-ROMs, fact sheets, video fly-overs, and relevant web sites.
USGS Woods Hole Field Center
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Geology Team is one of three marine
teams that conduct research within the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology
Program. Information is available on current project areas such as
Stellwagen Bank and Long Island Sound. In addition, this site has
an interactive map server, a geolibrary, and a photo library. Recent
publications,
general questions on marine geology, and student activities can also
be accessed from this site.
Academic Research Programs
Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping / Joint Hydrographic Center
The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (C-COM)/ Joint Hydrographic
Center (JHC) is a recently established University of New Hampshire
program aimed at creating a national center for expertise in
ocean mapping and hydrographic sciences. Information on different
projects
and cruises is available on this site.
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML), Geological Oceanography
Program
The Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) are the marine
research and teaching facilities which serve a consortium of
seven California
State Universities in Northern California. Research groups
for this graduate program include benthic ecology, environmental
biotechnology, and physical oceanography. In addition, the
Center
for Habitat
Studies
was established as a geophysical institute of MLML in 1994
to focus on the research of characterizing marine benthic habitats
and marine
and coastal geohazards.
Seafloor Mapping Lab at California State University, Monterey
Bay
The Seafloor Mapping Lab (SFML), within the Earth System
Science and Policy Institute at California State University
Monterey
Bay, specializes
in high-resolution acoustic remote sensing for coastal habitats.
Combining research and education with state-of-the-art geospatial
technology,
SFML offers unique hands-on, field-to-finish experience to
students while conducting professional habitat mapping surveys
for resource
management and basic research along the continental margins.
State Agency Programs
Maine DMR - Mapping Juvenile Fish Habitat
The Penobscot Bay Juvenile Fish Habitat is a project designed to
help characterize and map juvenile fish habitats, conducted by
the Maine
Department of Marine Resources (DMR). Contact information is available
for each of the project managers working on juvenile fish, seabed
mapping, and DMR Geographic Information System.
Delaware
Coastal Program – Seabed Mapping Project
Learn about how the Delaware Coastal Program will be characterizing
benthic habitats in inland bays for coastal managers using a RoxAnn™ Seabed
Classification System. In addition, this site will link you to more
information on the National Estuary Program and outreach materials.
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory's Mapping and Analysis Project (COLMAP)
The
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory site describes several projects that
this laboratory is currently researching. Please scroll to the
bottom of the page to read a short summary on the Mapping and Analysis
Project – Benthic Habitat Assessment.
Habitat Assessments
Gulf of Maine Habitat Primer
The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment developed a habitat primer to enhance the understanding of marine habitats, provide background for more informed decisions, and serve as an initial step toward a habitat conservation strategy for the Gulf of Maine.
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