| description:
|
Thirteen distinct and non-overlapping geomorphological structure types were mapped using a combination of semi-automated classification and visual interpretation of acoustic imagery. Geomorphological structure refers to a habitat feature’s dominate physical composition and does not address its location (e.g., on the Bank/Shelf). The structure types are defined in a collapsible hierarchy ranging from three major classes (Coral Reef and Hardbottom, Unconsolidated Sediment, and Unknown), to ten detailed classes (Individual Patch Reef, Aggregated Patch Reefs, Aggregate Reef, Pavement, Pavement with Sand Channels, Rhodoliths, Rhodoliths with Scattered Coral and Rock, Sand, Sand with Scattered Coral and Rock and Unknown). Habitat features with areas smaller than the map’s minimum mapping unit or MMU (1,000 m2) were not considered. For example, sand halos surrounding individual patch reefs were often too small to be mapped independently. |