Data - Free Benthic Habitats Map Files of Pacific Islands
Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats
Benthic Habitats, better known as reefs, are a closely researched phenomena. Many governmental groups carefully study these ecosystems in an effort to take the temperature of Planet Earth. If the reefs are sick, they reflect the condition of the bigger patient, Planet Earth. Consequently, reefs are keenly studied.
Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats Manual
After reading the above manual, which I downloaded some time ago, I decided to re-explore the origninating website - Shallow Water Benthic Habitats of Pacific Islands. "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS) initiated a coral reef research program in 1999 to map, assess, inventory, and monitor U.S. coral reef ecosystems (Monaco et al. 2001)." During my revisit to the site I noticed a link called Data. You all know that I love data, especially data that has to do with mapping islands. And that is exactly what this link leads to - numerous shapefiles of islands, reefs systems, image mosaics, ground control points, etc. It is a treasure trove of information. The shapefiles loaded quickly and easily into Global Mapper. To gain maximum benefit they should be loaded into ESRI product to read all of the mapped data completely. The data did load into ArcExplorer Java Edition for Educators (AEJEE). The slideshow includes images of some of this data files displayed in Global Mapper.
In addition, this site leads to the Center of Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, which has a large number of additional coastal studies either completed or underway. Most of them contain free small scale mapping.
Have a good time scrounging free data. Enjoy!
