Special Topics: Module 9 - Biscayne Shipwrecks (Part 2)

     All that preparation last week set the stage for analysis this week. So we'll dive right in. First, I defined a 300 meter radius surrounding the shipwrecks to examine the benthic environment surrounding each wreck. Then, reclassified rasters were generated for the benthic and bathymetric data. These were used in conjunction to create a simplified weighted overlay/predictive model.
For this analysis, there was not enough data for a linear regression or a statistically meaningful analysis of the shipwrecks (we were working with n = 5) but we had enough data to guide survey efforts.
     As in previous weeks regarding predicitve models, essential tools were the Feature to Raster tool,  Reclassify, and the Weighted overlay tool. As well as the workhorses of geoprocessing: the Buffer and the Clip tool.
     The three map deliverables below each show a different aspect of the analysis. Map 1 is a summary of the benthic characteristics within the study area (300m radius) surrounding each shipwreck. Map 2 shows a comparison of the reclassified data used to derive the predictive model. Map 3 is the predictive model. In Map 2, areas in red denote high probability while those in dark green represent the lowest probability of finding a shipwreck site. The areas in red in Maps 3 are thse areas where the model predicted areas with a high likelihood of containing a shipwreck. That is those areas most resemble the conditions surrounding the known shipwreck sites.

Map 1 shows the benthic environment surrounding the study area of each site.
It also contains an overview of the park.

Map 2 shows the reclassified raster data used in the predictive model.

Map 3 is the end product of our analyses. This is the predictive model
generated by using reclassified benthic and bathymetric data.