This is a MD iMAP hosted service layer. Find more information at http://imap.maryland.gov. Benthic data were aggregated from multiple sources to create a baywide record of seabed material in the Chesapeake Bay. Habitat polygons are classified with an adaptation of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) Substrate Component (SC). Source data were collected during the interval 1842-2014. Because of potential temporal changes in bottom conditions and deficiencies in survey methodology - benthic habitat characterizations may be in error in some areas. These are - however - the best data currently available.This is a subset of an original dataset which may be found here: http://ftp.ncbo.cgclientx.com/ecoscience/Chesapeake_Bay_Coastal_and_Marine_Ecological_Classification_Standard_CMECS/Metadata/MD_Bay_Bottom_Survey/. This dataset contains only acoustic (SONAR) surveyed data for Maryland and Maryland Bay Bottom Survey data.The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office makes no warranty - expressed or implied - as to the use or appropriateness of Spatial Data - and there are no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. The information contained in Spatial Data is from publicly available sources - but no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of Spatial Data. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office shall not be subject to liability for human error - error due to software conversion - defect - or failure of machines - or any material used in the connection with the machines - including tapes - disks - CD-ROM's or DVD-ROM's and energy. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office shall not be liable for any lost profits - consequential damages - or claims against the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office by third parties. The liability of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office for damage regardless of the form of the action shall not exceed any distribution fees that may have been paid in obtaining Spatial Data .Last updated: 4/8/2015 Feature Service Layer Link: https://mdgeodata.md.gov/imap/rest/services/Biota/MD_BenthicHabitat/FeatureServer ADDITIONAL LICENSE TERMS: The Spatial Data and the information therein (collectively "the Data") is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind either expressed implied or statutory. The user assumes the entire risk as to quality and performance of the Data. No guarantee of accuracy is granted nor is any responsibility for reliance thereon assumed. In no event shall the State of Maryland be liable for direct indirect incidental consequential or special damages of any kind. The State of Maryland does not accept liability for any damages or misrepresentation caused by inaccuracies in the Data or as a result to changes to the Data nor is there responsibility assumed to maintain the Data in any manner or form. The Data can be freely distributed as long as the metadata entry is not modified or deleted. Any data derived from the Data must acknowledge the State of Maryland in the metadata.