Species Abundance, Species Distribution, Sediment Description (Shapefile format), western Long Island Sound (2023)

This data set provides information on species type, abundance, and distribution, and sediment description for the Phase IIIA survey area of the Long Island Sound Cable Fund (LISCF) Seafloor Habitat Mapping Initiative. This data set contains the results of image analyses of frame captures of video collected by the Ponar Imaging and Sampling System for Assessing Habitat (PISSAH) developed by the Long Island Sound Mapping and Research Collaborative (LISMaRC) to obtain both physical sediment grab samples and ultra-high definition (4K) video using the latest version of GoPro cameras. A four-day survey using the PISSAH deployed from the Research Vessel Weicker was conducted from June 12-16, 2023 including mobilization and demobilization. The PISSAH was used to acquire both physical sediment grab samples as well as the GoPro video from 60 sites in the Phase III area of the Long Island Sound Cable Fund (LISCF) Seafloor Habitat Mapping Initiative. These sites were identified in the Phase IIIA area based upon an analysis of existing acoustic backscatter data obtained from multiple surveys by NOAA that exhibited what appeared to be inconsistent gray scale settings. Multiple GoPro cameras with lights captured both forward-looking and down-looking points of view. The down-looking video files were reviewed and two to five still images (frame grabs) were captured in the .tiff format for image analysis. The images were color corrected using the IrfanView software. Each image was then analyzed using the ImageJ software for point count and percent cover of observed taxa, biogenic features and sediment type. The results of this analysis and attendant maps were provided to the team led by Roger Flood from the Stony Brook University to assist with the interpretation of new and existing acoustic backscatter data in the area. The data file is in ESRI Shapefile format. Funding was provided by the Long Island Sound Cable Fund Seafloor Habitat Mapping Initiative administered cooperatively by the EPA Long Island Sound Study and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).