This service shows the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) developed for Northern California in 2008. Both linear and polygonal
shoreline features are included here. Associated GIS datasets can be downloaded <a href="http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/maps-and-spatial-data/download-esi-maps-and-gis-data.html#California">here</a>.
<div> <br />ESI maps use shoreline rankings to rate how sensitive an area of shoreline would be to an oil spill. The ranking
scale goes from 1 to 10. </div> <div> <br />A rank of 1 represents shorelines with the least susceptibility to
damage by oiling. Examples include steep, exposed rocky cliffs and banks. The oil cannot penetrate into the rock
and will be washed off quickly by the waves and tides. </div> <div> <br />A rank of 10 represents shorelines most
likely to be damaged by oiling. Examples include protected, vegetated wetlands, such as mangrove swamps and saltwater
marshes. Oil in these areas will remain for a long period of time, penetrate deeply into the substrate, and inflict damage
to many kinds of plants and animals. </div> <div> <br />You can also visit NOAA's photo collection, ESI
Shoreline Types, to see photos of many of the shoreline types. </div> <div> <br /> </div> <div> <br /> <b>Classifying
Shorelines for ESI Maps<br /></b>To assign each shoreline a rank from 1 to 10, ESI map developers use information and observations
from a combination of sources: <br /> <ul> <li>Overflights<br /></li> <li>Aerial photography<br /></li> <li>Remotely sensed
data<br /></li> <li>Ground truthing (visits to individual shorelines to assess aerial observations)<br /></li> <li>Existing
maps and data<br /></li> </ul> <br /> </div> <div> <b>Establishing Shoreline Rankings<br /></b>ESI shoreline rankings are
defined using factors that influence sensitivity to oiling, including: <br /> <ul> <li>Relative exposure to waves and tidal
energy<br /></li> <li>Biological productivity and sensitivity<br /></li> <li>Substrate type (grain size, permeability, trafficability,
and mobility)<br /></li> <li>Shoreline slope<br /></li> <li>Ease of cleanup<br /></li> <li>Ease of restoration<br /></li>
</ul> <br /> <b>More Information about ESI Maps<br /></b> <a href="http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/maps-and-spatial-data/anatomy-esi-maps.html">Anatomy
of ESI Maps</a>:Â Learn about the basic elements of ESI maps. <br /> <a href="http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/maps-and-spatial-data/biological-resources-shown-esi-maps.html">Biological
Resources</a>:Â Learn how ESI maps categorize and display oil-sensitive animals and their habitats, and habitats
that are themselves sensitive to spilled oil (such as coral reefs). <br /> <a href="http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/maps-and-spatial-data/human-use-resources.html">Human-Use
Resources</a>:Â Learn how ESI maps categorize and display the location of human-use resources (such as public beaches)
that are vulnerable to oil spills, or that could be used as access points for oil spill cleanup. </div>
Citation
Title Environmental Sensitivity Index, Northern California, 2008