Pacific Mapping

Introduction

Classification Manual

American Samoa

CNMI

Guam

Habitat Digitizer

Data Download

Related Links

PDF Download

This classification scheme will be used in the applied mapping component of the overall project to produce comprehensive digital coral reef ecosystem maps for all U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths within five to seven years. Benthic habitat maps for the US Pacific Territories (American Samoa, Guam and CNMI) will be created using computer software and heads-up digitizing to analyze remotely sensed imagery. Imagery will be classified into levels of classification that meet the needs of both the management and scientific community. Developing this classification scheme is an important step in determining the type of map products to be produced from the imagery. To facilitate development of the digital benthic habitat maps, NOAA and its partners have produced a classification manual ( Methods Used to Map the Benthic Habitats of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) that describes the specific methods used in image interpretation and habitat classification (Kendall et al. 2001). A description of the supervised image analysis procedures to be used for mapping benthic habitats of the US Pacific Territories will be forthcoming.