Biological Resources Shown on ESI Maps
Under the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) method, species that are especially vulnerable to the effects of oil spills have been classified into seven general categories, such as Bird, Fish, and Marine Mammal. The categories are then further divided by grouping species together by similar taxonomy, morphology, life history, and/or sensitivity to spilled oil.
The table below lists all of the categories and subcategories for biological resources, and it also includes some information about how they are displayed on ESI maps. When a biological resource exists in a small area (such as a bird nesting site), it is indicated on an ESI map by a symbol. When a biological resource encompasses a larger area, it is represented on ESI maps by a polygon with a specific pattern and color.
Category/Sub-Category | Symbol | Locations Shown on Maps |
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Marine Mammal ![Horizontally-hatched region in brown, representing marine mammals.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1196_Marine_Mammal.gif) | Dolphin | ![ESI symbol for dolphin.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1207_Dolphins.gif) | Concentration areas | Manatee | ![ESI symbol for manatee.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1208_Manatee.gif) | Concentration areas, cold weather refuge areas | Polar Bear | ![ESI symbol for polar bear.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1209_Polar_Bear.gif) | Concentration areas | Sea Otter | ![ESI symbol for sea otter.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1210_Sea_Otters.gif) | Concentration areas | Seal/Sea Lion | ![ESI symbol for seal/sea lion.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1211_Seal_and_Sea_Lion.gif) | Haulouts, concentration areas | Whale | ![ESI symbol for whale.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1212_Whales.gif) | Migratory or other concentration areas | Terrestrial Mammal ![Vertically-hatched region in brown, representing terrestrial mammals.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1197_Terrestrial_Mammal.gif) | Bat | ![ESI symbol for bat.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1213_Bat.gif) | Locations of threatened, endangered, or species of significance | Bear | ![ESI symbol for bear.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1214_Polar_Bear.gif) | Intertidal feeding or aquatic/wetland concentration areas, areas hazardous to spill responders | Deer | ![ESI symbol for deer.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1215_Deer.gif) | Intertidal feeding or aquatic/wetland concentration areas | Small Mammal | ![ESI symbol for small mammal.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1216_Small_Mammal.gif) | Aquatic fur-bearer concentration areas, locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Bird ![Diagonally-hatched region in green, representing birds.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1195_Bird.gif) | Alcid/Pelagic Bird | ![ESI symbol for alcid/pelagic bird.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1217_Alcid_and_Pelagic.gif) | Rookeries, roosting, and other concentration areas | Diving Bird | ![ESI symbol for diving bird.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1218_Diving_Bird.gif) | Rookeries; forage/wintering areas; roosting concentration areas | Gull/Tern | ![ESI symbol for gull/tern.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1219_Gull_and_Turn.gif) | Nesting sites; other concentration areas | Passerine Bird | ![ESI symbol for passerine bird.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1220_Passerine.gif) | Locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species, especially nesting areas | Raptor | ![ESI symbol for raptor.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1221_Raptor.gif) | Nesting sites; migratory/feeding concentration areas | Shorebird | ![ESI symbol for shorebird.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1222_Shorebird.gif) | Nesting sites; migratory, wintering, and roosting concentration areas | Wading Bird | ![ESI symbol for wading bird.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1223_Wading_Bird.gif) | Rookeries; feeding and roosting concentration areas | Waterfowl | ![ESI symbol for waterfowl.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1224_Waterfowl.gif) | Wintering and migration concentration areas; nesting sites | Reptile/Amphibian ![Diagonally-hatched region in red, representing reptiles and/or amphibians.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1198_Reptile_and_Amphibian.gif) | Alligator/Crocodile | ![ESI symbol for alligator/crocodile.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1225_Alligator_Croc.gif) | Concentration areas, especially nesting locations | Other Reptiles/Amphibians | ![ESI symbol for other reptiles/amphibians.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1226_Reptile_and_Amphibian.gif) | Locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species, especially aquatic/wetland concentration areas | Turtle | ![ESI symbol for turtle.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1227_Turtle.gif) | Nesting beaches; concentration areas | Fish ![Diagonally-hatched region in blue, representing fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1193_Fish_Category.gif) | Anadromous Fish | ![ESI symbol for anadromous fish, diadromous fish, estuarine resident fish, freshwater fish, marine benthic fish, and marine pelagic fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1228_Fish.gif) | Spawning and nursery areas; locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Diadromous Fish | ![ESI symbol for anadromous fish, diadromous fish, estuarine resident fish, freshwater fish, marine benthic fish, and marine pelagic fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1228_Fish.gif) | Spawning and nursery areas; locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Estuarine Nursery Fish | ![ESI symbol for nursery fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1229_Nursery_Area.gif) | Spawning, nursery, and other concentration areas | Estuarine Resident Fish | ![ESI symbol for anadromous fish, diadromous fish, estuarine resident fish, freshwater fish, marine benthic fish, and marine pelagic fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1228_Fish.gif) | Spawning or other concentration areas; locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Freshwater Fish | ![ESI symbol for anadromous fish, diadromous fish, estuarine resident fish, freshwater fish, marine benthic fish, and marine pelagic fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1228_Fish.gif) | Spawning and nursery areas; locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Marine Benthic Fish | ![ESI symbol for anadromous fish, diadromous fish, estuarine resident fish, freshwater fish, marine benthic fish, and marine pelagic fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1228_Fish.gif) | Spawning and nursery areas; reefs, kelp beds, or other concentration areas | Marine Pelagic Fish | ![ESI symbol for anadromous fish, diadromous fish, estuarine resident fish, freshwater fish, marine benthic fish, and marine pelagic fish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1228_Fish.gif) | Spawning or other concentration areas | Shellfish/Insect ![Diagonally-hatched region in orange, representing invertebrates.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1194_Invertebrates.gif) | Bivalve | ![ESI symbol for bivalve.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1230_Bivalve.gif) | Harvest areas; abundant beds; locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Crab | ![ESI symbol for crab.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1231_Crab.gif) | Nursery areas; areas of high concentrations | Echinoderm | ![ESI symbol for echinoderm.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1232_Echinoderms.gif) | Harvest areas | Gastropod | ![ESI symbol for gastropod.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1233_Gastropods_and_Abalone.gif) | Harvest areas; high concentrations, locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Insect | ![ESI symbol for insect.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1234_Insect.gif) | Locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Lobster/Crayfish | ![ESI symbol for lobster/crayfish.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1235_Lobsters.gif) | Nursery, spawning, and harvest areas; locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species | Shrimp | ![ESI symbol for shrimp.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1236_Shrimp.gif) | Nursery areas; locations of high concentrations | Squid/Octopus | ![ESI symbol for squid/octopus.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1237_Squid_and_Octopus.gif) | Harvest areas; areas of high concentrations | Habitat/Rare Plant ![Horizontally-hatched region in purple, representing plants.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1199_Habitat_Plant.gif) | Coral/ Hardbottom Reef | ![ESI symbol for coral/hardbottom reef.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1238_Coral.gif) | Generally restricted to water and tidal flats | Floating Aquatic Vegetation/Intermittent Coastal Wetlands | ![ESI symbol for floating aquatic vegetation/intermittent coastal wetlands.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1239_Floating_Aquatic_veg.gif) | Areas of floating aquatic vegetation | Rare Plant/Terrestrial Plant/Native Plant | ![ESI symbol for rare plant/terrestrial plant/native plant.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1240_Plant.gif) | Locations of threatened, endangered, or rare species or communities | Submerged Aquatic Vegetation | ![ESI symbol for submerged aquatic vegetation, seagrass beds, kelp, and algae.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920160504im_/http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/art_gallery/1241_Submerged_Aquatic_Vegetation.gif) | Areas of submerged aquatic vegetation; seagrass beds, kelp, algae |
For More Information
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- Shoreline Sensitivity Rankings Shorelines are ranked according to their sensitivity to oil, the natural persistence of oil, and the expected ease of cleanup after an oil spill.
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- Human-Use Resources Resources and places important to humans and sensitive to oiling, such as public beaches and parks, marine sanctuaries, water intakes, and archaeological sites.
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