Data: Maritime Forest Project

Coastal maritime forests are important coastal habitats that receive little attention despite the fact they are under significant threat. This study defined coastal maritime forests under the ecological community classification developed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VADCR) and includes maritime dune woodlands and maritime uplands. Maritime dune woodlands are composed of deciduous, coniferous, and broadleaf evergreens. Maritime upland forests contain “… species-poor evergreen and mixed coastal forests” (Fleming et al., 2006). They are often pine-dominated, with an understory of deciduous trees.  

Project Objectives

This project had two major goals. The first goal was to use remote sensing techniques to delineate existing coastal maritime forests. This delineation, unlike earlier efforts would be validated using ancillary datasets and ground validation. The Virginia Department of Forestry provided staff support from various regional offices to perform all field work. Ancillary data primarily included soils data and aerial imagery where wetland and dune habitat could be distinguished. 

The second major goal of this project was to compute, on a county-by-county basis, the amount of maritime forest cover present in each coastal locality, and the extent of maritime forests located within conservation lands. Boundaries for public lands data from VA DCR were used. 

Disclaimer

The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) provides these data with the understanding that it is not guaranteed to be correct or complete, and conclusions drawn from the data set are the sole responsibility of the user. Every attempt has been made to ensure that these data and the documentation are reliable and accurate. Neither CCRM, nor the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) assume liability for any damages caused by inaccuracies in the data or documentation, or as a result of failure of the data to perform in a particular manner. CCRM and VIMS make no warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or utility of this information, nor does the fact of distribution constitute a warranty. Individuals who download these data agree to the following, and understand the limitations defined.

CCRM is not responsible for misuse of these data. CCRM does not oversee or assume responsibility for alterations to this product by users. CCRM may not address specific questions from users who received the data through another party. Distribution of these data is not restricted. CCRM, however, recommends metadata file(s) always remain with the data. CCRM encourages noticeable errors be reported to CCRM contact person identified in the metadata file.

Integration of these data into other products requires proper citation. Proper citation for this dataset is:

Berman, M.R. and H. Berquist, 2007. Coastal Maritime Forests in Virginia - Delineation and Distribution. Final report submitted to Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Department of Environmental Quality, Richmond, Virginia, pp. 15.

CCRM is not responsible for misuse of these data. CCRM does not oversee or assume responsibility for alterations to this product by users. CCRM may not address specific questions from users who received the data through another party. Distribution of these data is not restricted. CCRM, however, recommends metadata file(s) always remain with the data. CCRM encourages noticeable errors be reported to CCRM contact person identified in the metadata file.

This project was funded in part by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant # NA05NOS4191180 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.  The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, or any of its subagencies.