Abstract
Abstract We present a GIS method for mapping and characterizing nearshore reef habitats. Utilizing this technique, we were able to successfully map all nearshore (<30 m depth) rocky reefs in the Southern California Bight and then quickly assess and characterize these data layers with expert opinion. The southern California coastline is 1198 km in length, with the eight Channel Islands and mainland comprising 503 km and 695 km of coastline, respectively. This is approximately the same amount of coastline as the rest of California. Within this region, we identified and characterized 122 natural reefs comprising 49,055 hectares, which is 26.6% of the 184,439 ha of nearshore habitat in the bight, the remainder comprised of soft bottom. Reefs varied appreciably in size ranging from 6 – 2498 ha. We sampled a subset of these reefs using a generalized random tessellation stratified design and quantified their physical characteristics as measured by scuba surveys. The reefs also varied with respect to habitat type...
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
