Benthic grab samples were collected using a Shipek grab at pre-determined locations in the harbor. Taxonomic enumerations and biological community parameters were estimated from grab samples and used to assess habitat conditions in conjunction with sediment profile images taken at the same stations. All data were entered into a database, and habitat classes were defined for each station. The database was then used in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to characterize benthic habitat types for New York/New Jersey Harbor.
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) had a need to develop benthic habitat maps in NY/NJ Harbor. This was critical for developing a plan for dredged material management that was both economically feasible and environmentally sound. The overall objective was to provide background information to plan cost-effective, spatially focused studies for siting dredge material disposal and habitat restoration within the Harbor. These benthic grab data were useful in supplementing sediment profile data taken concurrently, and they are useful for evaluating abundance and biomass for species of interest and comparing community parameters over time.
ground condition
It is the responsibility of the user to determine the appropriate use of the data product.
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Quality assurance and control measures included randomly selecting 10% of the samples, reconstituting them with the original debris and repeating the entire separation, identification, and enumeration process. The quality assurance plan followed by Barry A. Vittor & Associates, Inc., called for all samples processed by a particular technician to be redone if more than 10% of that technician's work showed any samples to differ by more than 5% from the original results. For this project, all discrepancies were within 5%. The taxonomists previously worked on several projects for the NY/NJ area and verified each other's identifications. When differences of opinion occurred or when significant doubt remained, outside specialists examined the specimens. Identifications were to the lowest practical identification level (LPIL) when not to the species level.
All data are believed to be logically consistent.
All grab data were not included in this data layer. Abundances for species of interest (usually the ten most abundant species plus commercially important species) were included in this data layer. Data on less frequently occurring species were not included, but these data can be found in the NY/NJ Harbor project database tables.
Stations were located in the field using a differential Global Positioning System (GPS), and station coordinates, date and time of day were recorded upon arrival at each station.
Not relevant to the dataset.
Taxonomic counts and community parameter estimates for benthic grabs collected for the NY/NJ Harbor project.
A Shipek grab (0.04 m2) was used to collect benthic and sediment samples from one-third of the stations, and the grab was operated concurrently with deployment of a sediment profile camera from a different area of the RV Onrust. Two grabs were taken at each of the grab-sampled stations. All sediments collected in the first grab were prepared for benthic analyses by gently washing the material through a 0.5-mm mesh sieve and washing the contents into a labeled cloth bag that was immersed and stored in 10% buffered formaldehyde and seawater. In the laboratory at Barry A. Vittor & Associates, Inc., Mobile, AL, organisms were separated from the remaining debris by flotation and handpicking, identified by experienced taxonomists, and enumerated. Identification and counts were entered into a spreadsheet file and community parameter estimates were calculated. These data were then entered as a table into a database including the associated sediment profile data, sediment data and navigation records.
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Internal feature number.
ESRI
Feature geometry.
ESRI
Unique identifier for each station
Unique number assigned to sample sites
Latitude in decimal degrees
Longitude in decimal degrees
Latitude in UTM Zone 18 coordinates
Longitude in UTM Zone 18 coordinates
Indicates visits to individual stations
single sampling visit to station
multiple sampling visits to station
Indicates the type of sampling that occurred at a station
SPI and benthic grab
Sediment and benthic grab
SPI, sediment and benthic grab
Number of taxa (species richness)
Number of organisms (total abundance)
Shannon-Weiner Diversity index
Pielou's Evenness index
Simpson's Diversity index
Abundance of Mediomastus spp. (polychaete)
Abundance of Streblospio benedicti (polychaete)
Abundance of Mytilus edulis (mussel)
Abundance of Tellina agilis (clam)
Abundance of Mercenaria mercenaria (clam)
Abundance of Gemma gemma (clam)
Abundance of Mulinia lateralis (clam)
Abundance of Spisula solidissima (clam)
Abundance of Mya arenaria (clam).
Abundance of Ampelisca abdita (amphipod)
Abundance of amphipod species
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While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within limits of the state of the art, NOAA will not assume any liability for damages caused by any inaccuracies in these data, or failure in their use.
For information about obtaining these data, please visit the project home page at <http://www3.csc.noaa.gov/dbapps/irtscapture/BouncePage.asp?Bounce2=ftp://www.csc.noaa.gov/pub/lcr/nyharbor/lbj95ben.zip&product=217>
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