| description:
|
This data layer depicts point (samples, observations) data from NOAA’s Deep-Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP) national geodatabase of the known locations of deep-sea corals and sponges in U.S. territorial waters and beyond. The structure of the database is tailored to occurrence records of all the azooxanthellate corals, a subset of all corals, and all sponge species. Records shallower than 50 m are generally excluded in order to focus on predominantly deep-water species the mandate of the DSCRTP. The intention is to limit the overlap with light-dependent (and mostly shallow-water) corals. |