Using the SAV Interactive Map

There is a wealth of information available through the SAV interactive map interface and we've put together this short guide to help you find what you are looking for. We'll start with some general information about navigating the map and table of contents, but there is a more detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions below.

When the interactive map loads, it will look somewhat like the image below. We're constantly working to improve the map, so don't be surprised if it looks a little different. Note that we've labled some of the key elements on the map. You can click on them for more information or keep reading below.

Map Elements

Table of Contents	Use the Table of Contents panel to select which layers you would like to see on the map. Add a checkmark to the box on the left to show the layer. Click the small down-pointing arrow on the right of the layer name to select data or imagery for a particular year.
Hide/Show TOC Button	Use the Hide/Show TOC button to hide the Table of Content panel or redisplay the panel if it has been hidden.
Hide/Show Overview Button	Use the Hide/Show Overview button to hide the overview map or redisplay the overview map if it has been hidden.
Filled SAV Beds	Display the SAV with green filled polygons when the map is zoomed-out and expand to show the SAV density classes when the map is zoomed-in.
SAV Bed Outlines	Display the SAV with red outlines, so that the image and other data is not obscured.
Help Button	The Help button displays this help page.
Navigation Tools	Use these navigation tools to zoom into the area you want to see. You can find much more information about using the Google Map tools are in the Google Maps User Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What images are included on the map?

Since 2001, as part of the Annual SAV Monitoring Program, VIMS has been orthorectifying aerials images that cover SAV beds. Detailed information about the image acquisition and processing is available for each year (for example, the 2008 imagery is described here). Additional, lower level imagery for SAV restoration sites in the Virginia Coastal bays is also available through this map interface.

Can I compare two years of SAV coverage?

The easiest way to visually compare two years of SAV coverage is to select one year to display with a filled polygon and display the other using the red outline.

Why can’t I see bed densities?

Most likely, either the map is zoomed out too far or the check box next to the solid filled green SAV Beds is not checked.

How do I know where I am?

The simplest way to find location information is to use the Show labels check box at the top right of the map.  That turns on labeling in Google maps. Still can’t see the location information? If the VIMS Imagery check box is on, the images hide the Google labels. Uncheck that box, find your location and then re-check the VIMS Imagery check box.

I want to find a specific location on the map.

Use the Google "search the map" function at the bottom left corner of the map.

Why are there beds but no imagery?

We update the VIMS imagery periodically. If there is no imagery in a particular location where we have mapped SAV we may not have put the image online yet or it is unavailable. Please contact us at savadmin@vims.edu for more detailed availability information.