Spatial extent of surface canopy kelp derived from fixed-wing surveys (2020), Central Coast, British Columbia, Canada

This data package consists of digitized surface canopy extent for two species of canopy forming kelp – giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) – for two regions on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Note - this data package is a subset of a greater kelp canopy data package for multiple years. See links in related resources for "Spatial extent of surface canopy kelp derived from fixed-wing surveys (2020-2022), Central Coast, British Columbia, Canada"

Spatial datasets of kelp canopy were derived from high resolution aerial imagery (10 cm) collected from fixed-wing aerial surveys. The survey regions included (1) northwest Calvert Island (flown August 23rd), (2) the Goose Group and Gosling Rocks region (flown August 23rd, 2020) and (3) a region from the Simonds group to Triquet Island (flown August 23rd, 2020). Survey windows for imagery collection were considered based on obtaining imagery during maximum kelp extent and during a low tide cycle therefore survey windows were planned between July through September during tides of less than +2.0 m (mean low low water).

Imagery Capture: Four-band imagery (red-green-blue-near infrared) was collected using two high resolution cameras aboard the Aerial Coastal Observatory (ACO, - a fixed-wing aircraft) at tide levels less than 2 m (chart datum) during boreal summer. Imagery collection and orthomosaic processing is described in associated reports linked in this record.

Kelp delineation: Surface kelp canopy is represented by polygons which were digitized using the Hakai Institute Kelp-O-Matic AI tool. Datasets were reviewed by a expert analyst for quality analysis/quality control purposes.

The data package includes:

- ACO metadata report (.pdf) which describe the system used to acquire and process imagery.
- Polygon shapefiles (.shp) of the extent of kelp canopy at each monitoring site by year served in a .

Coordinate system used: NAD1983 UTM Zone 9N

These data were collected in partnership between Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) and the Hakai Institute. This data package is a component of the MaPP Regional Kelp Monitoring Program (RKMP) whose goals (among many) are to monitor the extent and condition of kelp forests across all four sub-regions in recognition of kelp’s ecological, cultural and economic importance. This data package is also a part of the Hakai Institute's Marine Habitat Mapping Program whose broader goal is to document and understand long-term trends of kelp forests dynamics and drivers at local, regional and coast-wide scales.

The use of this dataset requires permission from both MaPP and the Hakai Institute.

Please communicate and/or collaborate with Hakai and MaPP if you are considering using this dataset for manuscripts or other forms of analysis and reporting. Contact Luba Reshitnyk ([e-mail]) or [e-mail] for more information about data access and opportunities to collaborate with the Hakai Institute. Contact Sarah Schroeder ([e-mail]) and Genevieve Reynolds ([e-mail]) for more information about data access to and opportunities to collaborate with MaPP.