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pohnpei Maps: reefs

Coral reefs

Reef location

Extent of coral reefs

This map shows the extent of coral reefs around Pohnpei. The data layer shown here is a subset of Pohnpei base layer derived by Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) from Digital Line Graphs (DLGs) of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 1:25,000-scale topographic maps (2001). The shoreline was slightly shifted and partly updated around Kolonia and its vicinity based on WorldView-3 satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe (2016).

Reef classification

Reef geomorphology

This map classifies the reefs around Pohnpei by zone. Reef zones describe the locations and ecological conditions of different parts of the reef with respect to the reef system as a whole. The dataset used here is the same as the one used for the reef geomorphology map. It was created by the Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project by the Institute for Marine Remote Sensing – University of South Florida (IMaRS-USF) and the Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement (IRD) (2005). Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017) extracted this subset of the original dataset and formatted it for use in this atlas.

Reef zonation

This map classifies the reefs around Pohnpei by zone. Reef zones describe the locations and ecological conditions of different parts of the reef with respect to the reef system as a whole. The dataset used here is the same as the one used for the reef geomorphology map. It was created by the Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project by the Institute for Marine Remote Sensing – University of South Florida (IMaRS-USF) and the Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement (IRD) (2005). Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017) extracted this subset of the original dataset and formatted it for use in this atlas.

Seagrasses

Seagrass areas

Seagrass areas

This map shows the extent and basic types of seagrass areas around Pohnpei. The dataset classifies seagrass areas by one of the three main species (Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii, and Enhalus acaroides) and the level of coverage (describes as continuous, aggregated, and isolated). The data source is McKenzie, L.J. and Rasheed, M.J. (2006), Seagrasses: Pohnpei Island and And Atoll Marine Assessment, Technical report of survey conducted 26 October – 3 November 2005, Seagrass‐Watch HQ, DPI&F, Cairns, 60pp.

Ocean floor

Lagoon circulation

Passes in the barrier reef

This map shows the locations of principal passes in the barrier reef around Pohnpei. This data layer was developed by Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017) by merging and slightly modifying data from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 1:25,000-scale topographic maps (2001), KML files created by Alex Zuccarelli for Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Map Guide Series (2013), and identifying and including one additional reef pass. The place names shown on this map are copied from the sources above and are not authoritative. They require thorough verification and correction of spellings to conform with Pohnpeian orthography.

Bathymetry

Bathymetry

This map shows the bathymetry (depth to seafloor) around Pohnpei. The dataset was extracted from the 2014 General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). Known as the GEBCO_2014 Grid, this is a continuous terrain model for ocean and land with a spatial resolution of 30 arc seconds. It is an updated version of the GEBCO_08 Grid that was first published in January 2009. Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017) extracted the dataset and formatted it for use in this atlas.

Recreation

Surfing

Popular surf breaks

This map shows the locations of popular surf breaks around Pohnpei. The data layer was formatted for GIS by Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017), using exclusively KML files created by Alex Zuccarelli for Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Map Guide Series (2013).

Diving and snorkeling

Popular dive sites

This map shows the locations of popular dive sites and dive paths around Pohnpei. The two data layers were formatted for GIS by Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017), using exclusively KML files created by Alex Zuccarelli for Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Map Guide Series (2013).

Popular snorkeling spots

This map shows the locations of popular snorkeling spots around Pohnpei. The data layer was formatted for GIS by Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017), using exclusively KML files created by Alex Zuccarelli for Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Map Guide Series (2013).

Swimming

Popular swimming spots

This map shows the locations of popular swimming spots around Pohnpei. The data layer was formatted for GIS by Island Research & Education Initiative (iREi) (2017), using exclusively KML files created by Alex Zuccarelli for Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Map Guide Series (2013). Note that only saltwater spots are included on this map. Popular swimming spots along Pohnpei's many rivers are not shown.