Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Atlas: North Carolina - Volume 1, geographic information systems data, Volume 2, maps and data in portable document format (NODC Accession 0013821)

This data set comprises the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps for the shoreline of North Carolina. ESI data characterize coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats; sensitive biological resources; and human-use resources. This atlas was developed to be utilized within desktop GIS systems and contains GIS files and related D-base files. Associated files include MOSS (Multiple Overlay Statistical System) export files, .PDF maps, and detailed user guides and metadata.

The intertidal habitats were originally mapped during overflights conducted in July 1981. They were updated onto 1:24,000 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps by an experienced coastal geologist in January 1996 using a set of 1:800 color vertical aerial photographs from late 1989. Portions of the coast were flown in February 1996 to verify the photo-interpretation. The biological and human-use resources data (mostly from the 1990s) were compiled by regional biologists in 1996.