Analyses/Maps
Fish
HSI Integration - Deep Slope Assemblage
About these maps:
The maps displayed here provide one approach to assess habitat suitability based on HSI results for multiple species. HSI model results were averaged to assess the potential distribution of suitable habitats for 3 adult (left) and subadult (right) slope species. Predicted HSI values range in scale from 10 (highest) to 0 (unsuitable). HSI results were grouped into five classes: highest suitability (10-8), moderate (7-5), low (4-2), lowest (1), and unsuitable (0).
Data sources:
Individual HSI maps and information are located on the attached CD-ROM.
Methods:
See HSI Methods (Section 2.1.2, p. 34) for HSI map development. Maps of mean HSI were developed by overlaying each individual HSI map and calculating the arithmetic mean across grid cells. Assemblages were determined by cluster analysis of NMFS triennial trawl survey data (see Section 2.1.1).
Results and Discussion:
Dover sole, sablefish, and shortspine thornyhead were representatives of a deep water slope assemblage. Potential high suitability for adults was predicted to occur at greater depths (450-1100 m) than subadults (200-700 m) and comprised more habitat within the study area (21%) than subadults (15%). Monterey Bay contained a higher percentage of highly suitable habitat (28%) for adults than Cordell Bank (12.6%) and Gulf of the Farallones (9.4%). The same pattern was evident for subadults: Monterey – 19%, Cordell Bank – 14%, and Gulf of the Farallones – 5%. Very few areas were predicted to be unsuitable for this assemblage. Approximately 30% of the study-wide areas predicted highly suitable were located adjacent to Monterey Bay’s sanctuary, while only 20% was considered highly suitable for subadults.