This window contains information about the 'marine/intertidal vegetation' data set. This data set shows known distributions of intertidal vegetation such as seagrass, and marine algae such as kelp, in Whatcom County waters. Please note that the data are plotted on top of a bathymetry base map (details available in metadata for the base map).
The eelgrass data that we determined was the best available for the inventory came from the "Marine Resources of Whatcom County" report done by Anchor Environmental. We chose this over the DNR Shorezone eelgrass data because the polygons covered a much larger area and appeared to be much more detailed in general.
That said, the data from the MRWC report is somewhat inconsistent. As is the case with much of the data from the report, the eelgrass theme is based upon two separate studies, each with different levels of detail. The sources cited for the Generalized Intertidal Vegetation (including eelgrass) were Whatcom County Planning (1994 - for the area north of Pt. Whitehorn) and Washington Department of Natural Resources (1995 - for the area south of Pt. Whitehorn). In general, the DNR data appears to be much more detailed compared to the Whatcom County Planning data.
Because the theme contains data from two separate studies, the data table for it has some missing values. The fields for the two themes were all preserved in the data set.
The data for this inventory item came from the report, "Marine Resources of Whatcom County" (Anchor Environmental 2000). This report contained maps showing polygons of generalized intertidal vegetation (including locations of kelp beds, as well as green, brown, and mixed algae beds).
The data from the MRWC report is somewhat inconsistent. As is the case with much of the data from the report, the kelp and algae bed themes are based upon two separate studies, each with different levels of detail. The sources cited for the Generalized Intertidal Vegetation (including kelp and algae beds) were Whatcom County Planning (1994 - for the area north of Pt. Whitehorn) and Washington Department of Natural Resources (1995 - for the area south of Pt. Whitehorn). In general, the DNR data appears to be much more detailed compared to the Whatcom County Planning data.
The data for these themes originally came as one shapefile that contained many different intertidal vegetation themes. Only the polygons that represented kelp and algae beds were selected and now make up the Algae and Kelp Bed shapefile (Iveg_cd = bro, gre, kel, mix).
See source reports (mostly pre c. 1994 - 1995)
Esri Shapefiles
Colored areas represent the spatial extent of the distributions of various plant and algae species (see legend).
Layer Name: Marine Vegetation
Layer Name: Eelgrass Beds
Layer Name: Spit Berm Vegetation
Layer Name: Salt Marshes
Layer Name: Wetlands (NWI 1500m from Shoreline)
GENERAL MAP INFORMATION: Map Projection is UTM NAD 27 Zone 10. Maps Created By Applied GIS Services (W.Lynch-C.Dolphin), January 2002. Data is complete only for Whatcom County Waters- refer to original data sources for other counties.
CAUTION: Map Should Not Be Used For Navigation.
DISCLAIMER: The data shown on these maps was processed primarily for use by the Whatcom County Marine Resource Committee. The maps may contain errors of content, completeness and positional accuracy. Testing of the positional accuracy of this data with respect to National Map Accuracy Standards has not been completed and therefore assume that it does not conform to National Mapping Accuracy Standards. User assumes responsibility to assess the appropriate use of the maps and data. Whatcom County MRC and Applied GIS cannot anticipate nor assume any responsibility or liability for the subsequent, secondary uses of the maps or data.
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