Species Distribution and Species Abundance Data from the Long Island Sound Estuary acquired during the Connecticut expedition LISMARC13:SEABOSS (2013)

Benthic mapping survey cruises were conducted from the Research Vessel Connecticut in October 2012 and May 2013 as part of the Long Island Sound Mapping and Research Collaborative (LISMaRC) contribution to the larger Long Island Sound Mapping effort. In addition to LISMaRC, other participants in this larger mapping effort include NOAA and another collaborative led by Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory at Comumbia University. The bottom imaging and related products collected, developed and provided by our NOAA partners (backscatter, depth, PCA, rugosity) provided a solid framework for setting the benthic sampling design to collect samples in the variety of bottom habitats evident in the sea floor data. The initial impressions based on qualitative observations of the grain-size samples taken bear out the general sediment type predictions in the sample blocks, although in some cases the sedimentology was more complex than anticipated. The video and still data provided what we feel will be critical information on small and meso-scale patchiness in habitat features which are known to be important determinants of infaunal and epifaunal community structure and diversity. Thus it appears that each of the sets of data (from NOAA, LISMaRC and LDEO) when compiled, analyzed and considered together will provide for a detailed and valuable assessment of the sea floor environment and ecology of the pilot area in Long Island Sound. Also, the logistics of the integrated approach among the partners at this point appear well coordinated and should prove an effective model as the project progresses into other sections of Long Island Sound. For more information on the ground-truth surveys see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2013-009-FA