File contents

Identification_Information:
  Citation:
    Citation_Information:
      Originator: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
      Publication_Date: 19980101
      Title: Mississippi Sound, MS - 1992 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Digital vector data
  Description:
    Abstract:
      This data set consists of digital data describing the submerged
      aquatic vegetation (seagrass) beds of the Mississippi Sound off the
      Mississippi Coast, in 1992.  The data set includes 13 7.5'
      quadrangles, which were digitized at the Mid-Continent Ecological
      Science Center from 1:24,000 scale hard copy maps developed by the
      U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center.  The
      seagrass beds were classified according to a U.S. Geological Survey,
      National Wetlands Research Center derived classification scheme based
      on the C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification system of NOAA
      Coastwatch Change Analysis Project.
    Purpose:
      The intended use of this data set is to provide a comprehensive
      assessment of the distribution and extent of seagrass habitat
      communities along the Northeast Gulf of Mexico.
  Time_Period_of_Content:
    Time_Period_Information:
      Single_Date/Time:
        Calendar_Date: 19920101
    Currentness_Reference: Photography Date
  Status:
    Progress: Complete
    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None Planned
  Spatial_Domain:
    Bounding_Coordinates:
      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -89.250
      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.250
      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.125
      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.500
  Keywords:
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Theme_Keyword: Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
      Theme_Keyword: Seagrass
    Place:
      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Place_Keyword: Mississippi Sound
      Place_Keyword: Mississippi Coast
      Place_Keyword: USA
      Place_Keyword: Mississippi
      Place_Keyword: MS
    Temporal:
      Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Temporal_Keyword: 1992
  Access_Constraints:
    It is strongly recommended that this data is directly acquired from 
    the distributor described above or from another USGS Biological Resources
    Division server and not indirectly through other sources which may have
    changed the data in some way.  The distributor makes no claims as to the
    data's suitability for other purposes.
  Use_Constraints:
    Acknowledgement of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research
    Center as a data source would be appreciated in products developed from
    these data, and such acknowledgment as is standard for citation and legal
    practices for data source is expected by users of this data. Sharing new
    data layers developed directly from these data would also be appreciated
    by U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center staff. Users
    should be aware that comparison with other data sets for the same area
    from other time periods may be inaccurate due to inconsistencies resulting
    from changes in mapping conventions, data collection, and computer
    processes over time. The distributor shall not be liable for improper or
    incorrect use of this data, based on the description of
    appropriate/inappropriate uses described in this metadata document.  These
    data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such.
  Point_of_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
        Contact_Person: Larry Handley
      Contact_Position: Geographer and Principle Investigator
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd
        City: Lafayette
        State_or_Province: LA
        Postal_Code: 70506
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8691
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8513
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: larry_handley@usgs.gov
  Data_Set_Credit:
    The U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center would like
    to acknowledge the participation of the field staff for NPS Gulf Islands
    National Seashore, USFWS Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Mississippi State
    University, Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, and
    Florida Dept of Environmental Protection for their assistance in
    groundtruthing activities.
  Native_Data_Set_Environment: ARC/INFO Version 7.1.1 double precision, UNIX Solaris operating system

Data_Quality_Information:
  Attribute_Accuracy:
    Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
      Interpreted photos were quality checked by two photo interpreters 
      for attribute classification.  Field verification was performed for areas
      where attribute classification was questionable; local personnel with
      state and federal agencies assisted in field identification.  The
      mylar-based 1:24,000 maps were checked by cartographic personnel for
      line and labelworks. The attribute accuracy is tested by manually
      comparing hard copy plots of the digital data with the source
      materials.  When attributes cannot be visually verified on plots they
      are interactively queried and verified on screen.  In addition, 
      the attributes are compared against a master set of valid attributes.
  Logical_Consistency_Report:
    ARC/INFO software is used to create and maintain topological relationships
    between features.  There are no duplicate features, but coincident lines
    are maintained between data layers where appropriate.  Polygonal features
    begin and end at the same point, contain no overshoots or undershoots, and
    contain a single label.  Linear features are continuous where appropriate,
    i.e., dangling arcs are removed if they are not required.
  Completeness_Report:
    For cartographic process, accordance with nationally accepted mapping
    standards and conventions were followed.
  Positional_Accuracy:
    Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
      Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
        The horizontal positional accuracy is tested by visual comparison
        of hard copy check plots to the source materials and verifying the
        location of the data on-screen relative to other data layers in
        the same geographic area.
    Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
      Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not applicable
  Lineage:
    Source_Information:
      Source_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator: National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration
          Publication_Date: 19920601
          Title: Natural Color Aerial Photography
          Edition: Varies
          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Remote-Sensing Image
          Publication_Information:
            Publication_Place: NASA Ames,California
            Publisher:
              National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
              United States
      Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
      Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-Base Material
      Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
        Time_Period_Information:
          Single_Date/Time:
            Calendar_Date: 19920601
        Source_Currentness_Reference: Photography Date
      Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NASA NC
      Source_Contribution:
        Primary data for photo interpretation and identification of
        submerged vegetation.
    Source_Information:
      Source_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
          Publication_Date: 19830101
          Title: Various Quadrangles
          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map
          Series_Information:
            Series_Name:
              USGS Standard Series of 7.5-minute Topographic
              Quadrangles
            Issue_Identification:
              Mississippi Catalog of Topographic and Other Published
              Maps
          Publication_Information:
            Publication_Place: Reston, Virginia
            Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
      Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
      Type_of_Source_Media: Paper
      Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
        Time_Period_Information:
          Range_of_Dates/Times:
            Beginning_Date: 19800101
            Ending_Date: 19950101
        Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date
      Source_Citation_Abbreviation: USGS quads
      Source_Contribution: Provided  base maps for submerged aquatic vegetation information
    Process_Step:
      Process_Description:
        Cartographic process:  Planning for the flight mission was
        prepared according to shoreline distance.  After acquiring the
        aerial photography, stereo pairs were created and packaged
        according to 1:24,000 topographic maps; these maps also served as
        base maps for cartographic transformation work.  The photos were
        interpreted using a Bausch Lomb stereoscope at 10X magnification. 
        Cartographic work was performed using a Zoom Transfer Scope, and
        magnification varied according to source material scale. 
      Process_Date: 1994-1998     
    Process_Step:
      Process_Description:
        Digitizing Process:  Mylar overlays were manually digitized using
        an Altek Datatab digitizer to capture the data at a resolution of
        at least 0.001 inches.  Four control points corresponding to the
        four corners of the quadrangle were used for registration during
        data collection.  Cover type features continuing onto adjacent
        quadrangles were adjusted to intersect the quad boundary at a
        common, coincident node.  Attributes were assigned as the data
        were digitized, or in an editing session after the digitizing was
        completed.
      Process_Date: 1994-1998

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
  Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Spatial_Reference_Information:
  Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
    Planar:
      Grid_Coordinate_System:
        Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
        Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
          UTM_Zone_Number: 16
          Transverse_Mercator:
            Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -87
            Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0
            False_Easting: 500000
            False_Northing: 0
            Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: .9996
      Planar_Coordinate_Information:
        Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: Coordinate Pair
        Coordinate_Representation:
          Abscissa_Resolution: .61
          Ordinate_Resolution: .61
        Planar_Distance_Units: Meters
    Geodetic_Model:
      Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1927
      Ellipsoid_Name: Clarke 1866
      Semi-major_Axis: 6378206.4
      Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 249.98

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
  Detailed_Description:
    Entity_Type:
      Entity_Type_Label: Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)
      Entity_Type_Definition: Aquatic vegetation, rooted, found up to 6 meters of water
      Entity_Type_Definition_Source:
        C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System (NOAA):  Dobson,
        J.E., et.al NOAA Coastwatch Change Analysis Project.   United
        States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Sub_aq_veg
      Attribute_Definition: Submerged aquatic vegetation as a percentage of ground cover
      Attribute_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: CSG
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Continuous seagrass, 90% or more ground cover
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: PSG1
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Patchy seagrass, 10% or less ground cover
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: PSG2
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Patchy seagrass, 15% to 40% ground cover
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
	  Enumerated_Domain_Value: PSG3
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Patchy seagrass, 45% to 70% ground cover
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: PSG4
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Patchy seagrass, 75% to 85% ground cover
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: EST
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
            Estuarine, open water or any non-seagrass estuarine
            habitat
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: RIV
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Riverine, open water (fresh open water)
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: ALG
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
            Algae, delineated only when its presence has been verified
            by groundtruthing
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: LAND
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
            Shoreline, tidal or non-tidal, developed/urban, or
            irregularly flooded beach or bare ground.
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Enumerated_Domain:
          Enumerated_Domain_Value: MOL
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
            Mollusk, oyster reef or beds, delineated only when its
            presence has been verified by groundtruthing.
          Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: C-CAP Coastal Land Cover Classification System
Distribution_Information:
  Distributor:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
        Contact_Person: Larry Handley
      Contact_Position: Geographer and Principle Investigator
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd.
        City: Lafayette
        State_or_Province: Louisiana
        Postal_Code: 70506
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8691
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8513
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: larry_handley@usgs.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday Through Friday
  Resource_Description: Mississippi Sound, Mississippi - 1992 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
  Distribution_Liability:
    Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system
    at the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, no
    warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of
    the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor
    shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This
    disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use
    with other data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly
    acquired from a Biological Resources Division server, and not indirectly
    through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. It is
    also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents
    of the metadata file associated with these data. U.S. Geological Survey,
    National Wetlands Research Center shall not be held liable for improper or
    incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. So, these
    data are provided "as is" and without any express or implied warranties,
    including, without limitation, the implied warranties or merchantability
    and fitness for a particular purpose. Also, use of trade names or
    commercial products in this metadata is solely for the purpose of
    providing specific information, and does not imply recommendation or
    endorsement by the US Government. Any downloading and use of these data
    signifies a user's agreement to comprehension and compliance of the U.S.
    Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center Standard Disclaimer.
    Insure all portions of metadata are read and clearly understood before
    using these data in order to protect both user and U.S. Geological Survey,
    National Wetlands Research Center interests.
  Standard_Order_Process:
    Digital_Form:
      Digital_Transfer_Information:
        Format_Name: ARCE
        Format_Version_Number: 7.1.1
        File_Decompression_Technique: ARC/INFO e00 Compression Format
      Digital_Transfer_Option:
        Online_Option:
          Computer_Contact_Information:
            Network_Address:
              Network_Resource_Name: http://sdms.nwrc.gov
    Fees: None, if data are available online.
  Custom_Order_Process: None

Metadata_Reference_Information:
  Metadata_Date: 19981028
  Metadata_Review_Date: 20011030
  Metadata_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
      Contact_Position: Metadata specialist
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd.
        City: Lafayette
        State_or_Province: LA
        Postal_Code: 70506
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8500
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8513
  Metadata_Access_Constraints: None
  Metadata_Use_Constraints:
    Acknowledgement of the National Wetlands Research Center as the metadata
    source would be appreciated. Please cite the original metadata when using
    portions of the record to create a similar record of slightly altered
    data, such as reprojection.
  Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
  Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998