This benthic mapping activity was conducted to inventory the reef ecosystem and associated bottom types for Puerto Rico. Prior to this project, a comprehensive inventory of the shallow water ecosystems in these areas did not exist. Such an inventory is required for successful management. To meet this need, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Biogeography Branch, in consultation with many local and federal partners conducted a GIS based mapping effort in the region. This represents the first US coral reef area to be mapped under the purview of the US Coral Reef Task Force. The classification scheme defines benthic communities on the basis of two attributes: large geographic "zones" which are composed of smaller "habitats".

This benthic mapping activity was conducted to inventory the reef ecosystem and associated bottom types for Puerto Rico. Prior to this project, a comprehensive inventory of the shallow water ecosystems in these areas did not exist. Such an inventory is required for successful management. To meet this need, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Biogeography Branch, in consultation with many local and federal partners conducted a GIS based mapping effort in the region. This represents the first US coral reef area to be mapped under the purview of the US Coral Reef Task Force. The classification scheme defines benthic communities on the basis of two attributes: large geographic "zones" which are composed of smaller "habitats".