Detailed analysis of 35 most common species found in Long Island Sound benthic communities, USGS OFR 00-304

This GIS layer, which focuses on benthic communities, was developed as
part of a cooperative project between the University of New Haven, the
Connecticut DEP, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Benthic communities
are an integral component of the ecology of Long Island Sound.

Understanding the role that spatial heterogeneity plays in the dynamic
of benthic landscapes may be a key to developing a better
understanding of the estuarine ecology and the impacts of human
activity. The purpose of providing this data layer is to help
establish a regional framework for developing a more extensive GIS for
benthic communities in Long Island Sound that can be used for
education, research, and environmental management.

This GIS layer provides the location where samples from Pellegrino and
Hubbard were summarized to provide detailed analysis of 35 common
species found in Long Island Sound benthic communities.