California Department
of Fish and Wildlife
Marine Biogeographic
Information and Observation System
MarineBIOS Data Viewer
Frequently Asked
Questions
August 2013
Q: Does it make any difference which internet
browser I use?
A: Yes, we have found that the MarineBIOS viewer runs best in Firefox or Chrome. It will run in Internet Explorer, but there can be issues with a few of the tools performing appropriately in this browser.
Q: Can I add data to my map?
A: Yes, data may be added in the form of live KML or map services. These options are found under the quick tools drop down menu. In addition, user generated point data can be uploaded to the viewer in CSV format. That option, called Waypoints, is found in the advanced tools menu.
Q: Where is the toolbar / Where did all of the
tools go?
A: All of the tools from the previous version of the MarineBIOS Viewer are still available in the new version. They have been arranged into the three drop-down menus that you see at the top of the screen.
The Quick Tools menu (button pre-loaded/labeled as “Search Active Layer”) contains tools that interact with the text box to the right of the menu. It contains tools such as the Search Active Layer tool, Locate Address tool, Add data: KML tool and the Add Map Service tool.
The Interactive Map Tools menu contains tools that interact directly with the map itself such as the Select tool, the Identify Features tool and the Measure Distance tool.
The Advanced Tools menu contains tools that open a pop-up window requesting user input for more interaction. Tools such as the Bookmark tool, the Geofind tool and the Waypoint tool can be found here.
To use a tool in MarineBIOS, you must first select the layer that you want to use the tool on in the Layers tab of the Table of Contents on the left side panel of the viewer, making it the Active Layer. Once you have an Active Layer to work with you can select and use your tool. The current Active Layer is indicated by a solid pink box around the layer name in the Layers list.
Q: How do
I make the dataset shown in the Table of Contents draw?
A: To draw the data, simply check on the small box to the left of the name of the dataset in the Table of Contents. We have some very large and complex datasets in MarineBIOS, so we do not draw them automatically when they are loaded into the map. This gives you a chance to zoom in to your area of interest first improving both the performance of the viewer and the legibility of the data.
Q: Can I add imagery as a background in my map?
A: You can change the background map to any map available under the Basemap tab in the Table of Contents on the left side of the viewer window. Choices include imagery, street maps, topographic maps and several years of NAIP imagery among other options. The default basemap that is loaded when the viewer opens is the ESRI Oceans Map.
Q: Where is the map legend?
A: A symbology legend is available for each data layer in the Table of Contents. Click on the + to the left of the Layer name and check box. A drop-down legend will appear below the layer name showing each type of symbol used to display that dataset in the map.
Q: Can I change the symbology
for a data layer?
A: No, that functionality is not available in the viewer at this time.
Q: Can I remove a data layer from the map?
A: Click on the X button after the data layer name in the Table of Contents to remove the layer from your map. Only KML, map services, CSV uploaded waypoints, or user added map graphics can be removed. Pre-loaded data may not be removed from the table of contents (TOC), however, the visibility of those data may be turned off. Under the operational layers in the TOC, datasets can be turned on and off by simply checking or unchecking the box to the left of the dataset name.
Q: I closed the table displaying my search results.
How do I get it back?
A: You can reopen the table by clicking the Table button above the Table of Contents.
Q: Can I download the data from BIOS?
A: Most of the publicly viewable data is available for download from our FTP site. Follow this link http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gis/downloads.aspfor a list of available datasets.Marine datasets are organized by: base, bathymetry, biological, consumptive, cultural, habitat, management, maps, marine protected areas, non-consumptive, and physical. Clicking on one of these links will direct you to the FTP Marine dataset where available datasets can be downloaded.
If a dataset is not available for download from the FTP site, you will need to contact the person listed as the point of contact in the metadata for that dataset to make your request.
Q: Is there a way to load my GPS points into the
map?
A: Yes, you can load your GPS waypoints into the map using the Waypoints tool in the Advanced Tools drop-down menu. They must be stored in a comma separated values (CSV) format on your computer in order for the tool to load them.
Q: I have an idea for an enhancement to the
viewer. Who should I contact?
A: Please email any comments, suggestions or questions to the MarineBIOS group at mr_gis@wildlife.ca.gov.