Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Benthic Habitat Mapping Group Publication_Date: 200505 Title: CRED Optical Validation Data for Saipan Anchorage, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 2003-2004,to Support Benthic Habitat Mapping Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster Video imagery, track line navigation files, and log sheets Online_Linkage: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/ Description: Abstract: Optical validation data were collected using a Tethered Optical Assessment Device (TOAD), an underwater sled equipped with an underwater digital video camera and lights, in the Saipan Anchorage area. Data were collected using TOAD during NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette cruise OES0307, and in a separate expedition involving about two and a half weeks of small boat-based TOAD deployments. Data were subsequently analyzed, in conjunction with multibeam bathymetry and backscatter imagery, to estimate percentages of the seafloor covered with corals and other benthic colonizers. Results were used to estimate percentages of coral in areas not imaged by the camera sled, and were also displayed graphically. A report detailing results of the study was generated to assist the Military Sealift Command in their efforts to increase the number of pre-position vessels stationed there. Purpose: These data provides optical observations that have been correlated with bathymetry and acoustic backscatter imagery to develop benthic habitat maps of hard and soft coral communities in Garapan anchorage out side of Saipan Harbor, CNMI. Supplemental_Information: Saipan, the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, has a land area of 122 km2 and is approximately 20 km long and 9 km wide. The island consists of a volcanic core enveloped by younger coral reef-derived limestone formations. The island has the most diverse types of coral reefs and associated habitats in the Commonwealth. A fringing and barrier reef system protects the majority of the beaches along the western and coastal plains. The western side of the island is the most populated and the coral reefs along these areas are negatively affected by human activity. Continuing sediment and nutrient pollution combined with sporadic stressors such as outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) (Acanthaster planci) and temperature-induced bleaching affect many of Saipan's western and southeastern reefs. Furthermore, coral habitat on two large offshore banks (18 km x 22 km) in water depths between 30 m and 60 m on the western side of Saipan are negatively affected by the anchorage of commercial and naval vessels. It is these two banks that were the subject of the study reported here. Optical validation data were collected in both 2003 and 2004 using two different versions of the Tethered Optical Assessment Device (TOAD), a sled equipped with underwater video camera and lights. These data are used to provide ground-truth validation for benthic habitat maps based on multibeam echosounder surveys. In September and October 2003, the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette conducted the first bi-annual Mariana Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (MARAMP) in the waters of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) during cruises OES0307 and OES0308. Extensive work was done around all islands of the CNMI chain from Uracus in the north to Guam in the south. As part of this program, routine night operations include videography of the sea floor using the TOAD. In the Saipan anchorage area, 10 segments of bottom video data were collected on the nights of August 23 and September 9, 2003. The duration of each tow varied but averaged about 40 minutes of bottom time at a given location. The camera sled was deployed from the port side J-frame on the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette. At each station the ship was positioned with the wind on the port side and drifted downwind; occasional light turns were applied to the ship's screws if necessary to reduce the ship's motion. The TOAD was lowered slowly to the bottom by the deck crew. The video signal is relayed by coaxial cable to a topside monitor, enabling the operator to pass commands to deck personnel to pay out or haul in umbilical cable to keep the sled just above the seafloor. From December 3-16 2004, CRED personnel and contractors conducted towed video surveys in the Saipan Anchorage, CNMI aboard the 62-ft-long Carolinian, one of the vessels owned and operated by Saipan Crewboats, Inc., and regularly chartered by the U.S. Navy. Operations were conducted during daylight hours, with video data collected using a new underwater camera sled, designed and fabricated by Deep Ocean Engineering, Inc. (DOE). The camera sled was attached via umbilical cable to a control console located on board the Carolinian. The camera sled was deployed from the port or starboard side of the Carolinian depending on the prevailing current and wind conditions. A video display monitor mounted on the control console was used to monitor the position of the sled relative to the seafloor. Instructions to raise/lower the sled were relayed to CRED personnel on deck to maintain close proximity of the sled to the seafloor and to avoid collisions with seafloor highs. Equipment Description: In 2003, the TOAD used for this data collection is a camera sled based on the Guildline MiniBat model 8820 tow body. The frame has been extensively modified from its original configuration and was equipped with a Remote Ocean Systems Multi-Seacam 2050 color underwater video camera, as the primary data collection instrument. The ROS camera was mounted to point at approximately a 45 degree angle toward the seafloor. Illumination was provided by two 500 W DeepSea Power & Light Multi-SeaLite model 1050 underwater lights mounted on the original sled frame. The lights were located near the base and each side of the sled to provide the maximum possible horizontal distance from the ROS camera. Cable between the sled and the surface consisted of a underwater electrical cable (cable 2, black in color) with an internal Kevlar strength member to support the sled frame. The cable was fed over a 22-inch diameter sheave on the J-frame to a gypsy head on the side of a backup winch used for CTD deployments, on a small deck area amidships on the port side. All TOAD surface components were located in the Dry Lab in an equipment rack and workbench. The video signal is fed from the camera through a coaxial cable to the dry lab, where a character generator adds the GMT date and time to the video signal, which is recorded on mini-DV tapes using a JVC digital video cassette recorder. The ship's position, depth of the seafloor and camera sled, the sled's altitude above the seafloor and GMT date and time are recorded every 0.5 seconds using Guildline Instrument Group's MiniBAT In-Tow v. 1.1 software and a personal computer running Windows. The new TOAD sled body used for the 2004 data collection is constructed from a shortened Phantom ROV body with a tail piece added for stability. It is equipped with a Deep Sea Power & Light Multi SeaCam 2060 color video camera, two 500 W DeepSea Power & Light Multi-SeaLite model 1050 underwater lights, a sonar altimeter to detect the height of the camera above the seafloor, a pair of parallel lasers to determine the size/scale of viewed objects, a compass to determine the sled heading and orientation, and a depth (pressure) sensor. The video signal from the sled is send via a coaxial conductor within a 200 m long and 127 mm diameter umbilical cable to a topside control unit. The video data are recorded to digital video cassette using a video recorder mounted in the control console. Hypack Max (version 2.12A) hydrographic survey software was used to record GPS data, water depth, length of umbilical cable in the water, and camera sled information (height, heading, etc.), which provide ship and camera sled positions for the duration of individual tows. Name & address of person collecting data: John Rooney NOAA PIFSC 1125B Ala Moana Blvd Honolulu, HI 98614 Data Files: Video data were recorded on video tape recorders and the position of the camera sled was recorded using a GPS signal and different software packages, as described above. File naming convention: Each tow is given a name consisting of a 3-letter designator for the island area followed by a two-digit year and three-digit tow number. During OES0307 (NOAA Ship O.E. Sette's 7th cruise in calendar year 2003) the consecutive numbers started at SAI04001. Video tape labels and paper log forms are annotated with the tow name. Data files recorded qirh In-Tow software use this filename convention, with a .glo extension. Data recorded using Hypack software follow the Hypack CHS filename format consisting of the year, the first two letters of the platform name, the Julian date, and the hour and minute in which the file was started, and the extension "raw." For example, a file collected on Dec. 10, 2004 (Julian date 345) aboard the Carolinian starting at time 1935 would be 2004CA3451935.raw. Time Correlation: All times are based on UTC. Clocks were manually synchronized prior to starting data collection each day of operations. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20030823 Ending_Date: 20041216 Currentness_Reference: ground condition Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: 145.58 East_Bounding_Coordinate: 145.92 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 15.13 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 14.67 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Theme Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Mapping Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Photographic Analysis > Videography Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: Tethered Optical Assessment Device (TOAD) Theme_Keyword: Underwater video Theme_Keyword: OES0307 Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: Visual Images > Habitats Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: environment Theme_Keyword: biota Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Place Thesaurus Place_Keyword: OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Saipan Island > Saipan Island (15N145E0002) Place_Keyword: COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Saipan > Saipan Island (15N145E0002) Place_Keyword: OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Saipan Island > Garapan (15N145E0013) Place_Keyword: COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Saipan > Garapan (15N145E0013) Place_Keyword: OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Mariana Archipelago > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000) Place_Keyword: COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000) Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: Garapan Anchorage Place_Keyword: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Access_Constraints: Distribution of the report is limited to NOAA and U.S. Navy personnel or contractors with a need to know about this project. There are no access constraints on the data upon which the report is based. Use_Constraints: Please acknowledge the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center as the source of this information. Use of the report is limited to U.S. Navy personnel or contractors with a need to know about this project. There are no use constraints on the data upon which the report is based. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Benthic Habitat Mapping Group, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, PIFSC, NOAA Contact_Person: John Rooney Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 1125B Ala Moana Blvd City: Honolulu State_or_Province: HI Postal_Code: 96814 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808-592-8303 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: john.rooney@noaa.gov Data_Set_Credit: Benthic Habitat Mapping Group, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), NOAA Data_Quality_Information: Logical_Consistency_Report: Unspecified Completeness_Report: Complete Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: The horizontal position accuracy for the camera sled position is estimated at plus or minus 50 m from the reported position for the 2003 data collection. There are two primary sources of this error. The ship's positioning is based on GPS SPS, often called standalone or non-differential GPS positioning. SPS has a measured accuracy of under 5 meters. The position of the GPS antenna is referenced to the ship's granite block. The second and larger primary source of error is uncertainty associated with the sled's position relative to the towing vessel. The Hypack software used in the 2004 data collection includes a window for manual entry of the length of camera sled cable paid out, a utility to enter horizontal and vertical offsets between the GPS antenna and sheave over which the camera sled cable passes, and a built-in caternary function. Using these additional data, the Hypack software automatically adjusts the postion of the GPS antenna to generate and record an estimate of camera sled position. Analysis of tow data indicate that horizontal positional uncertainty associated with the location of the camera sled recorded in Hypack is plus or minus 13 m. Lineage: Process_Step: Process_Description: After a tow was completed the video tape data was reviewed by spot-checking the master and backup tape to verify that data were recorded. Raw data files recorded slightly different data depending on the software used, but both record the time, horizontal position, and ship's heading information, and were copied from the acquisition computer to the data archive. Tow-specific metadata were recorded in the data archive in the same location as the raw data, in a spreadsheet that was then referred to in creating metadata records of each island where data were collected during the cruise. Raw data files were exported as comma-delimited text files which were then imported into ArcGIS v8.3 and saved as shapefiles. The accompanying image file "Saipan_Toad_Tracks.jpg" shows the location of TOAD tracks for both years of data collection overlain on hill-shaded multibeam bathymetry, with frame grabs from video of representative types of seafloor included. For the 2003 data, still photographs, collected every 30 seconds and averaging approximately 20 m horizontal spacing between them, were analyzed using a point count method. For the 2004 data, specific frames spaced every 20 m from the video were analyzed. For each, five circles approximately 0.5 mm in diameter and spaced equidistantly were drawn in a horizontal line on a piece of clear plastic sheet taped to a computer monitor screen. Within the center of each circle the substrate (rock, sand, rubble, etc.) living cover (seagrass, scleractinian [stony] coral, macroalgae, etc) and growth morphology of coral colonies (branching, encrusting, etc) were identified. Classification information was recorded on a spreadsheet for each camera tow according to the codes and include the type of substrate, living cover (if any), and dominant variation in relief seen in the image. The substrate within the first circle is recorded under the column labeled "S1" while the living cover and coral growth morphology within the same circle are recorded under the columns labeled C1 and CM1. Data from the second circle are recorded under columns "S2," "C2," "CM2," and so on. Spreadsheets with benthic classification data from video analysis are attributed to the appropriate tow track shapefile and along-track location. Color coding is then applied to highlight features of interest, such as the percentage of the seafloor covered by living corals or other benthic fauna found at each location or different types of substrate. Although the surface area of the shelf on which the Saipan anchorages are located is only a few tens of square kilometers and was subject to an intensive optical survey effort, only a few percent of the area was videotaped. It is not practical to get complete optical coverage of the seafloor that is useful for benthic habitat classification purposes, for other than extremely small areas, using any technology available today. However, interpolated values of coral cover are derived using a geostatistical method of interpolation called Universal Kriging, because this method takes into account certain discernable trends in the data, such as directionality and non-random patchiness. It assumes that the distance and/or direction between sample points reflect a spatial correlation that can be used to explain variation in the surface. Not all substrates are suitable for coral recruitment and growth. Sandy areas can not generally sustain growth of hermatypic (reef forming) corals or other sessile benthic fauna, so a simple interpolation of the percentages they cover is likely to over estimate populations on these substrates. Sandy areas were identified and delineated using a combination of techniques. The 5-meter multibeam bathymetric grid was the source of data for all derived bathymetry products, including this map. First, sand areas were derived using a local fourier histogram approach (LFH) (Cutter et al., 2003). This grid was compared and combined with a grid that was created using a first derivative of the slopes from the bathymetry grid. This slope of slopes was then transformed into a focal flow derivative. The basic assumption of the focal flow function is that if the value of a cell in the immediate eight-cell neighborhood is greater than the value of the processing cell, then the neighboring cell will flow into the processing cell. To test whether a particular neighborhood cell will flow into the processing cell, the value of each neighborhood cell is subtracted from the processing cell. If a value is positive, the neighborhood cell does not flow into the processing cell, and if it is negative, it does. If no cells flow into the processing cell, then the location will be assigned a value of '0'. All negative values were designated as receiving basins. All basins that were smaller than 750 m2 were removed from the final map representation, under the assumption that the resolution of the bathymetry grid was not fine enough to allow for any better spatial discrimination using these methods. The map of sand values was overlain on the map of interpolated benthic faunal cover. Areas covered by sand basins are assumed to be devoid of corals and other sessile benthic fauna. Percentages of coral cover estimated using Universal Kriging, and sandy areas delineated as described above, are shown in the accompanying image file, "Saipan_Interpolated_Coral_Cover.jpg." The data collection effort and subsequent analysis described above was compiled into a report, which includes five foldout maps delineating various attributes of the data and seafloor. Copies of the report and a live presentation on it were provided to U.S. Navy representatives in June 2005. Distribution of the report it limited to U.S. Navy and NOAA representatives with a need to know about it. Data upon which the analyses are based however have no distribution restrictions. Process_Date: 20050530 Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Geographic: Latitude_Resolution: 0.0001 Longitude_Resolution: 0.0001 Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984 Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257223563 Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Benthic Habitat Mapping Group, CRED, PIFSC, NOAA Contact_Person: John Rooney Contact_Position: Coastal Geomorphologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 1125 'B' Ala Moana Blvd City: Honolulu State_or_Province: Hawaii Postal_Code: 96814 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808-956-9729 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: john.rooney@noaa.gov Resource_Description: Report and fold out maps and digitial versions of the data, maps, and report. Distribution_Liability: These data are not to be used for navigational purposes. NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data, nor as a result of the failure of these data to function on a particular system. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: Portable Document Format Format_Information_Content: The report was provided in both hard copy and digital form, with files from the latter made available as a PDF document, named "Saipan_Anchorage_Final_Report.pdf." Digital_Transfer_Option: Offline_Option: Offline_Media: CD-ROM Recording_Format: ISO 9660 Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: ASCII Format_Information_Content: All navigation files contain information on the UTC date and time, horizontal position of the sled, and heading of the ship over the period of time that the camera sled is in the water. List of navigation files from 2003: sai03001.glo sai03002.glo sai03003.glo sai03004.glo sai03005.glo sai03006.glo sai03008.glo sai03009.glo sai03010.glo sai03011.glo sai03012.glo sai03013.glo sai03014.glo In 2004, a total of 66 navigation files were collected, starting chronologically with 2004CA3380459.RAW and ending with 2004CA3510158.RAW Digital_Transfer_Option: Offline_Option: Offline_Media: CD-ROM Recording_Format: ISO 9660 Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: mini DV digital video cassette Format_Information_Content: Video data are available covering in excess of 120 km of seabed. These data were recorded on 73 video tapes. List of video tapes: SAI04001, Mini DV, Master and Backup SAI04003, Mini DV, Master and Backup SAI04004, Mini DV, Master and Backup SAI04005, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04006a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04006b-007a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04007b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04008, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04009, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04010a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04010b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04010c, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04011a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04011b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04011c, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04011d, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04012a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04012b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04013a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04013b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04014, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04015a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04015b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04016a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04016b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04017, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04018a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04018b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04019, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04020a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04020b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04021a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04021b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04022a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04022b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04023, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04024, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04025, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04026, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04027a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04027b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04028a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04028b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04030, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04031a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04031b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04032, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04033, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04034, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04035a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04035b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04035c, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04035d, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04036, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04037, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04038a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04038b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04039a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04039b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04039c, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04040a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04040b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04041, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04042, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04043a, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04043b, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04043c, MiniDV, Master and Backup SAI04044, MiniDV, Master and Backup Digital_Transfer_Option: Offline_Option: Offline_Media: Video cassette tape Recording_Format: Mini DV Fees: None Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20080812 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Benthic Habitat Mapping Group, CRED, PIFSC, NOAA Contact_Person: Dr. Michael Parke Contact_Position: Research Biologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 1125 'B' Ala Moana Blvd City: Honolulu State_or_Province: Hawaii Postal_Code: 96814 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808-592-7025 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: michael.parke@noaa.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998 CoRIS: CoRIS_ID: 20080502065502 CoRIS_Children: None CoRIS_Beginning_Date: 20030823 CoRIS_Ending_Date: 20041216 CoRIS_Metadata_Link: http://www.coris.noaa.gov/metadata/records/txt/cred_toad_saipan_anchorage_oes0307_2003-2004.txt CoRIS_Tracking_ID: 1352