description:
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Nine unique (i.e., major plus detailed) biological cover classes were mapped by interpreting aerial photos, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) imagery, and four types of acoustic imagery using manual and semi-automated methods. Biological cover denotes the dominant biological component colonizing the surface of the feature. It does not describe the location (e.g., on the Bank/Shelf or in a Lagoon) or structure (e.g., Sand) of the feature. Habitats or features with areas smaller than the MMU or minimum mapping unit were not considered (i.e.,100 m2 in 0-50 m depths, 1,000 m2 in 50-1,000 m depths and 5,000 m2 in 1,000-1,830 m depths). Four major cover types were identified from the source imagery (i.e., Algae, Seagrass, Mangrove and No Cover) and combined with three modifiers describing the distribution of the dominant cover within the polygon (i.e.,10%-50%, 50%-90%, and 90%-100%). "Unknown" indicates that the structure type was indistinguishable in the aerial orthophotos, LiDAR or acoustic imagery due interference with the signature of the seafloor. |