NCCOS | Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

For more information about the project or additional project publications, visit the Research Project Page

This project began in January 2000 and was completed in January 2002. We conducted benthic habitat mapping of shallow-water coral reef areas off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to inventory the coral reefs and related bottom types. Before this project, a comprehensive inventory of the shallow-water reefs in these areas did not exist. Such an inventory is needed for successful coral reef ecosystem management. This represents the first U.S. coral reef area to be mapped under the purview of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. For more information about this projects data contact Matt Kendall.

Reports

Methods Used to Map the Benthic Habitats of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Tools

Habitat Digitizer - used to delineate habitat features and select habitat features
Aerial Photography Search

Data and Maps

Polygon Shapefiles - Spatial Data and Metadata

Accuracy Assessment Points

Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Ground Truth Points

Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Ground Control Points (GCPs)

Aerial Photo Mosaics - Spatial Data and Metadata

Below are printable maps of benthic habitats for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The maps are divided into three indices: Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John, and St. Croix. The maps can be printed on paper that is 8.5 inches by 11 inches or larger. These files are large in size and may take several minutes to download.