2019 NMU Estuarine botanical database: Submerged

Collation of available estuary submerged macrophyte distribution shapefiles. Presently 97 estuaries (listed in the appendix) are captured, and new maps will be added periodically as produced. The maps collated range in date from 2004-2018. Estuaries have been mapped as per the Estuary Health Index to determine Present Ecological Status. Some estuaries were mapped as Nelson Mandela University student theses. Shapefiles were also obtained from SANParks (Swartvlei and Wilderness estuaries). Currently nine data capturers were responsible for the development of GIS estuary maps. Macrophyte habitat descriptions may have been altered from the original published maps so as to standardize macrophyte habitat types. Distribution maps differ in extent, scale and accuracy as they were produced for differing outcomes. The shapefile is formatted in accordance with SANBI specifications. More recent maps produced are delineated according to the Estuarine Functional Zone (EFZ) which is considered the 5 m topographical contour (van Niekerk and Turpie 2012).