Benthic Habitat Mapping in the Tortugas Region, Florida

Authors

E. Franklin, University of Miami
Jerald Ault, University of Miami
Steven G. Smith, University of Miami
Jiangang Luo, University of Miami
G. Meester, University of Miami
Guillermo A. Diaz, University of Miami
Mark Chiappone, University of North Carolina - WilmingtonFollow
Dione W. Swanson, University of North Carolina - Wilmington
Steven Miller, University of North Carolina - WilmingtonFollow
James A. Bohnsack, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Marine Geodesy

ISSN

0149-0419

Publication Date

2003

Keywords

Coral reefs, Dry Tortugas National Park, Essential fish habitat, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Geographic information systems, Marine protected areas

Abstract

Concern about declining trends in coral reef habitats and reef fish stocks in the Florida Keys contributed to the implementation of a network of no-take marine protected areas in 1997. In support of the efforts of the Dry Tortugas National Park and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to implement additional no-take areas in the Tortugas region in 2001, we expanded the scale of our fisheries independent monitoring program for coral reef fishes in the region. To provide a foundation for the habitat-based, stratified random sampling design of the program, we created a digital benthic habitat map of coral reef and hard-bottom habitats in a geographic information system by synthesizing data from bathymetric surveys, side-scan sonar imagery, aerial photogrammetry, existing habitat maps, and in situ visual surveys. Existing habitat maps prior to 1999 were limited to shallow-water (< 20 m depth) soft-sediment, coral reef, and hard-bottom habitats within Dry Tortugas National Park and did not include deeper areas such as the Tortugas Bank, now partially contained within no-take marine protected area boundaries. From diver observations made during the 1999 survey, we developed a classification scheme based on habitat relief and patchiness to describe nine hard-bottom and coral reef habitats encountered from 1-33 m depth. We provide estimates of area by habitat type for no-take marine protected areas in the Tortugas region. Updated information on the spatial distribution and characteristics of benthic habitats will be used to guide future monitoring, assessment, and management activities in the region. Significant data gaps still exist for the western area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and are a priority for future research.

DOI

10.1080/01490410306706

Volume

26

Issue

1-2

First Page

19

Last Page

34

Comments

©2003 Taylor & Francis

Additional Comments

National Park Service grant #: CA528000032; NOAA Coastal Ocean Program grant #: CA528099007; South Florida Ecossytem Restoration Protection Modeling grant #: NA67RJ0149; Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary grant #: NA67RJ0149; National Undersea Research Center grant #s: NURC/UNCW J9823, NURC/UNCW199926, NURC/UNCW199938, NURC/UNCW200019

NSUWorks Citation

E. Franklin, Jerald Ault, Steven G. Smith, Jiangang Luo, G. Meester, Guillermo A. Diaz, Mark Chiappone, Dione W. Swanson, Steven Miller, and James A. Bohnsack. 2003. Benthic Habitat Mapping in the Tortugas Region, Florida .Marine Geodesy , (1-2) : 19 -34. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/874.