Coastal Services Center

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Habitat Restoration: Rhode Island Habitat Restoration Site Selection Tools: Seagrass and Salt Marsh Habitats

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Product Overview

Two geographic information system (GIS)-based site selection tools were developed for habitat restoration planning in Rhode Island. Both tools are distributed as ArcView^® 3.x extensions, and both require the Spatial Analyst extension to run. All spatial data needed to use the tools are included.

• The Seagrass Site Selection Tool examines depth, light conditions, historic and current eelgrass distributions, and water temperature to identify suitable restoration sites. The user can then prioritize suitable areas based on use-conflict information (e.g., recreational fishing, shellfish closure areas).
• The Salt Marsh Site Selection Tool considers user-selected socioeconomic and ecological criteria to identify and prioritize salt marshes in Narragansett Bay.

Although these tools were built to assist restoration planning in Rhode Island, the approach may be transferable to other locations. The site selection tools are distributed together on one CD-ROM. To order a copy of the CD-ROM, please complete an on-line request form.

These site selection tools were developed through a multiagency cooperative effort led by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program, Save The Bay^®, the University of Rhode Island Environmental Data Center, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center.

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