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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NCCOS Assessment: Pilot Framework for Fish Habitat Assessments Across Tidal and Non-Tidal Waters in the Patuxent River Basin, 1999-05-22 to 2022-10-06 (NCEI Accession 0295082)

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This dataset includes the data that was used for the tidal portion of the joint pilot fish habitat assessment. Additional data for non-tidal waters is being archived by USGS in ScienceBase. This data collection contains geospatial data of environmental layers used in the model analysis as well as the outputs of an ensemble fish habitat prediction model. It includes layer inputs at 3 different spatial scales (10x10m, 100x100m, and 1000x1000m) for the following environmental predictive variables: substrate bottom, distance to hardened shoreline, distance to submerged aquatic vegetation beds, distance to protective areas, dissolved oxygen, salinity, water quality, and benthic index of biotic integrity all in the form of TIF files (.tiff). There were 16 total inputs per resolution scale all cropped to a tidal waterbody boundary for the Patuxent watershed. This boundary is also included in the data collection and is represented as a single feature polygon shapefile (.shp). Lastly, there is a csv file containing presence sites for white perch sampled from a variety of different fish survey datasets. These were collected and joined to represent fish presence within the tidal portion of the Patuxent watershed and includes associated spatial and temporal data. For more information see (Nisonson et al., 2024).
  • Cite as: Nisonson, Hannah; Kiser, Alexander; Gressler, Benjamin; Leight, Andrew; Young, John (2024). NCCOS Assessment: Pilot Framework for Fish Habitat Assessments Across Tidal and Non-Tidal Waters in the Patuxent River Basin, 1999-05-22 to 2022-10-06 (NCEI Accession 0295082). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/wpwv-zj89. Accessed [date].
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information(link is external)
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information(link is external)
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1999-05-22 to 2022-10-06
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -76.8307526
East: -76.3035555
South: 38.346014
North: 38.721917
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2024-07-19
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
Methods:
All data were standardized to the same spatial coordinate reference system (CONUS Albers NAD83, EPSG 6350). Environmental data were compiled from a wide range of sources, leveraging a metadata catalog (USGS Chesapeake Bay Studies - Data Catalog | U.S. Geological Survey) assembled by the team specifically for Chesapeake Bay fish habitat assessments. The team attempted to collect the most recent data available, though various data sources extended over the last 30 years. Because many variables were not collected consistently over that time period, we choose to “flatten” the data over time and conduct the analysis as a snapshot in time rather than an assessment of change in habitat over time. In order to test the framework and the modeling approach, a broad suite of predictor data for the watershed was included in the assessment to include variables of different spatial formats and to allow for a data-driven selection of factors based on data mining and statistical analysis, rather than a predetermined selection by the team members. With this in mind, our team took into consideration many environmentally driven factors previously used in fish habitat assessments (e.g. Esselman et al., 2011; Green et al., 2015, Maloney et al., 2022, Monaco et al., 1998) as well as a variety of topographic and DEM based variables used to analyze finer upstream hydrodynamic processes.
Purpose As part of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement (CBP, 2014), all Bay States and the District of Columbia have committed to improving the condition of the Bay, which includes a goal to achieve sustainable fisheries. One outcome under that broad goal is improved effectiveness of fish habitat conservation and preservation efforts. In support of that outcome, the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center (USGS-EESC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NOAA-NCCOS) are actively developing datasets, methods, and analyses to conduct fish habitat assessments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, guided by recommendations from a regional stakeholder workshop held by the Chesapeake Bay Program’s (CBP) Fish Habitat Action Team (FHAT) in 2018 (Hunt et al., 2018). The joint USGS and NOAA team has been collaborating on methods for conducting inland and estuarine assessments and exploring whether a seamless headwater to estuary assessment could be developed. The goals of this assessment are to benefit both State and Federal fisheries managers, help advance fisheries science, and provide beneficial information for the public. While past national and regional assessments (e.g. the National Fish Habitat Partnership National Assessment (Greene et al., 2015; Esselman et al., 2011)) treated inland and estuarine fish habitat conditions separately due to differences in environments, GIS data representation, and data availability, a seamless habitat assessment could be of value for a broad range of stakeholders as many fish species, several of which are invasive or under federal jurisdiction, use habitats across both inland and estuarine waters. This project developed a pilot framework, explored and tested methods necessary for a finer scale, seamless assessment across both inland and estuarine waters, and demonstrated its use. Although there was interest by the CBP FHAT for the generation of a Baywide fish habitat assessment that spanned tidal salt, tidal fresh, warm non-tidal and cold non-tidal waters (Hunt et al., 2018), there are a myriad of implementation details and considerations around conducting a Baywide assessment across all four of these general habitat areas. Therefore, the practical need to conduct a tributary-specific pilot assessment arose. At the beginning of this pilot process, members of the FHAT were presented with a decision matrix to choose a study basin using factors such as data availability and tributary size. FHAT members chose the Patuxent River basin, which has been relatively well sampled and studied. Several spatial frameworks were considered before selection of an inclusive gridded framework for summary and analysis that represented inland drainage networks and landscape influences as well as estuarine bathymetry. A suite of landscape and in-water stressor variables were summarized into the framework and were largely generalized over time. In order to assess the viability of the framework, we chose to use species distribution modeling (Kiser et al., 2022) for each of the species to test the framework’s ability to predict habitat use of non-tidal resident, estuarine resident, and migratory species. Tessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi), American eel (Anguilla rostrata), and white perch (Morone americana) were chosen as illustrative fish species based on data availability, and differences in life history and habitat use. A nested modeling approach, which involved successive model runs at multiple scales (1000m, 100m, and 10m raster grids) was developed to examine differences in variable importance at different spatial scales and to enhance modeling efficiency. For white perch, a complementary modeling analysis was performed for variables available only in estuarine waters. For all testing, an ensemble modeling approach was conducted, using a suite of potential statistical techniques driven by model strength and variable predictive power.
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  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Nisonson, Hannah; Kiser, Alexander; Gressler, Benjamin; Leight, Andrew; Young, John (2024). NCCOS Assessment: Pilot Framework for Fish Habitat Assessments Across Tidal and Non-Tidal Waters in the Patuxent River Basin, 1999-05-22 to 2022-10-06 (NCEI Accession 0295082). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/wpwv-zj89. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
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Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: Funding to support USGS efforts provided by the US Department of the Interior (DOI), USGS, Ecosystems Mission Area, Priority Ecosystem Studies, Chesapeake Bay Science Studies program and by the Eastern Ecological Science Center
  • Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
  • NCCOS Partners: Chesapeake Bay Fish Habitat Action Team (FHAT)
  • NCCOS Partners: Chesapeake Bay Program Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team (FishGIT)
  • NCCOS Partners: Tetra Tech, Inc.
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords NCCOS Research Areas
  • Marine Spatial Ecology > Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments
NCCOS Research Data Types
  • Geospatial
Provider Keywords
  • Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (measured and calculated)
  • Bottom Substrate Group (Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard)
  • Dissolved Oxygen (measured and then calculated via interpolation)
  • Fisheries independent survey data
  • Salinity (measured and then calculated via interpolation)
  • Water Temperature (measured and then calculted via interpolation)
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords Provider Instruments
  • YSI 6600 sondes
  • YSI EXO sondes
  • anchored sensors
Place keywords NCCOS Regions of Study
  • U.S. States and Territories > Maryland
  • Waterbodies > Chesapeake Bay
Provider Place Names
  • Maryland
  • Patuxent
Project keywords Provider Project Names
  • Chesapeake Bay Program
  • PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University
  • U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal National Elevation Database (CoNED)
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • B35NJG
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Nisonson, Hannah; Kiser, Alexander; Gressler, Benjamin; Leight, Andrew; Young, John (2024). NCCOS Assessment: Pilot Framework for Fish Habitat Assessments Across Tidal and Non-Tidal Waters in the Patuxent River Basin, 1999-05-22 to 2022-10-06 (NCEI Accession 0295082). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/wpwv-zj89. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
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  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2024-07-19T18:22:28Z - NCEI Accession 0295082 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: Bottom Substrate Group (Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard) (measured); Units: percent; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: unknown; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic data were aggregated from multiple sources to create a baywide record of seabed material in the Chesapeake Bay. Habitat polygons are classified with the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) Substrate Component (SC). ESRI ArcGIS versions between 2011 and the present have been used to delineate polygon boundaries from acoustic survey spatial data products and sediment samples from local and national databases. Source data were collected during the interval 1842-2015. Because of potential temporal changes in bottom conditions and deficiencies in survey methodology, benthic habitat characterizations may be in error in some areas. These are, however, the best data currently available. This is a dynamic dataset. As new surveys occur the resulting CMECS habitat units will be updated (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/29682). CMECS data was manipulated to portray % coverage of bottom substrate within a given raster cell.; Data Quality Method: The integration of existing datasets are considered as is. New polygon data is validated with grab samples. The data should be considered accurate for the time in which it was collected and the inherent limitation of the data collection methods should be considered (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/29682).
  • Parameter or Variable: Water Temperature (measured and then calculted via interpolation) (measured); Units: Celsius; Observation Category: in situ and model output; Sampling Instrument: The instruments generally used by the Continuous Monitoring Program are YSI 6600 and YSI EXO sondes. While some meters are ancho; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Field biologists visit sites by small boat, research vessel, pier, bridge, or shoreline (Maryland Department of Natural Resources “Eyes on the Bay” Water Quality Monitoring Program). Measurements are taken with an autonomous data instrument and samples are gathered for analysis (https://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/contmon/ContinuousMonitoring.cfm). Data from the Continuous Monitoring and Water Quality Mapping is then taken into an interpolator specifically designed to interpolate water quality metrics throughout the bay.; Data Quality Method: Automated data quality assurance checks are performed and reviewed by field biologists. Data analysts review data for additional error correction/data flagging (https://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/eyesonthebay/DataProcess.cfm). The Chesapeake Bay and tidal Tributary River Interpolator that was used to interpolate the water quality data is a standalone application that interpolates water quality sample concentrations on the surface or throughout the 3D volume of the Bay and tidal tributaries ((Bahner et al., 2001).
  • Parameter or Variable: Salinity (measured and then calculated via interpolation) (measured); Units: Parts per thousand (ppt); Observation Category: in situ and model output; Sampling Instrument: The instruments generally used by the Continuous Monitoring Program are YSI 6600 and YSI EXO sondes. While some meters are ancho; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Field biologists visit sites by small boat, research vessel, pier, bridge, or shoreline (Maryland Department of Natural Resources “Eyes on the Bay” Water Quality Monitoring Program). Measurements are taken with an autonomous data instrument and samples are gathered for analysis (https://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/contmon/ContinuousMonitoring.cfm). Data from the Continuous Monitoring and Water Quality Mapping is then taken into an interpolator specifically designed to interpolate water quality metrics throughout the bay.; Data Quality Method: Automated data quality assurance checks are performed and reviewed by field biologists. Data analysts review data for additional error correction/data flagging (https://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/eyesonthebay/DataProcess.cfm). The Chesapeake Bay and tidal Tributary River Interpolator that was used to interpolate the water quality data is a standalone application that interpolates water quality sample concentrations on the surface or throughout the 3D volume of the Bay and tidal tributaries ((Bahner et al., 2001).
  • Parameter or Variable: Dissolved Oxygen (measured and then calculated via interpolation) (measured); Units: Milligram per Liter (mg/L); Observation Category: in situ and model outputt; Sampling Instrument: The instruments generally used by the Continuous Monitoring Program are YSI 6600 and YSI EXO sondes. While some meters are ancho; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Field biologists visit sites by small boat, research vessel, pier, bridge, or shoreline (Maryland Department of Natural Resources “Eyes on the Bay” Water Quality Monitoring Program). Measurements are taken with an autonomous data instrument and samples are gathered for analysis (https://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/contmon/ContinuousMonitoring.cfm). Data from the Continuous Monitoring and Water Quality Mapping is then taken into an interpolator specifically designed to interpolate water quality metrics throughout the bay.; Data Quality Method: Automated data quality assurance checks are performed and reviewed by field biologists. Data analysts review data for additional error correction/data flagging (https://eyesonthebay.dnr.maryland.gov/eyesonthebay/DataProcess.cfm). The Chesapeake Bay and tidal Tributary River Interpolator that was used to interpolate the water quality data is a standalone application that interpolates water quality sample concentrations on the surface or throughout the 3D volume of the Bay and tidal tributaries ((Bahner et al., 2001).
  • Parameter or Variable: Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (measured and calculated) (measured); Units: Unitless (values 1-5 describing overall benthic health in that location); Observation Category: multiple; Sampling Instrument: multiple; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Fixed Station Replicate Averaged Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity Value from the Maryland Chesapeake Bay Program for Benthic Monitoring was aggregated and joined with their corresponding sampling event record in R giving each IBI score spatial and temporal data (https://baybenthos.versar.com/data.htm). This was joined to the nearest 10m raster cell in ArcGIS Pro version 3.2.1 and aggregated bilinearly to reach resolutions of 100m and 1000m.; Data Quality Method: Data quality control was done in R to assess that each station correctly correlated with the associated corresponding MDBE_IBI.txt file.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • Multi-parameter Inorganic Carbon Analyzer (MICA)
Last Modified: 2025-04-03T21:54:27Z
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