Coral reefs coverage map of the Mexican Caribbean: Cabo Catoche – Xcalak

The map represents the spatial distribution of coral reef cover in shallow waters of the Mexican Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, from Cabo Catoche to Xcalak, in an area of 1001 km², with an average maximum depth of 18 m. It is generated from the benthic coverage map of the marine ecosystems of the Mexican Caribbean: Cabo Catoche - Xcalak, combining the classes: (i) coral reef structure, (ii) octocorals and (iii) octocorals and corals. The benthic cover map was obtained from bottom reflectance, relief and bathymetry, coming from the analysis of 23 WorldView-2 satellite images (2009-2015). This product is the result of the ArrecifeSAM project, coordinated by CONABIO as part of the Marine-Coastal Information and Analysis System (SIMAR) (https://simar.conabio.gob.mx).
AcknowledgementThe authors acknowledge the logistical and technical support provided by National Financial Trust Fund for Biodiversity, the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), National Commission of Natural Protected Areas Mexico (CONANP), and National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM (UASA Marine Science and Limnology Institute, Science Faculty - Academic Unit Sisal).