Habitat--Offshore of Santa Barbara, California

This part of SIM 3281 presents data for the habitat map of the seafloor (see sheet 7, SIM 3281) of the Offshore of Santa Barbara map area, California. The vector data file is included in "Habitat_OffshoreSantaBarbara.zip," which is accessible from http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreSantaBarbara/data_catalog_OffshoreSantaBarbara.html.
Using multibeam echosounder (MBES) bathymetry and backscatter data, potential marine benthic habitat maps were constructed. The habitats were based on substrate types and documented or "ground truthed" using underwater video images and seafloor samples obtained by the USGS. These maps display various habitat types that range from flat, soft, unconsolidated sediment-covered seafloor to hard, deformed (folded) or highly rugose and differentially eroded bedrock exposures. Rugged, high-relief, rocky outcrops that have been eroded to form ledges and small caves are ideal habitat for rockfish (Sebastes spp.) and other bottom fish such as lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus). Habitat map is presented in a map format generated in a GIS (ArcMap), and both digital and hard-copy versions will be produced.

本SIM 3281数据集的此部分提供了加利福尼亚州圣巴巴拉近海制图区的海底生境地图相关数据（详见SIM 3281第7幅图幅）。矢量数据文件打包于"Habitat_OffshoreSantaBarbara.zip"压缩包中，可通过链接http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreSantaBarbara/data_catalog_OffshoreSantaBarbara.html获取。本研究利用多波束测深声呐（multibeam echosounder, MBES）的水深与反向散射数据，构建了潜在海洋底栖生境地图。此类生境以底质类型为分类依据，并通过美国地质调查局（USGS）采集的水下视频影像与海底样品完成实地校验。该地图涵盖多样生境类型，覆盖范围从平坦松软的松散沉积物覆盖海底，延伸至坚硬、变形（褶皱）或高度崎岖且经差异侵蚀出露的基岩海域。经侵蚀形成岩架与小型洞穴的崎岖高起伏岩层出露区域，是平鲉属（Sebastes spp.）鱼类以及蛇齿单线鱼（Ophiodon elongatus，俗称 lingcod）等底层鱼类的理想栖息生境。本生境地图采用地理信息系统（GIS，ArcMap）生成的制图格式进行呈现，将同时提供数字版与纸质版两种成果形式。