Caribbean Sea Degree Heating Week Charts Archived 2000 NOAA Twice-Weekly Satellite 50km Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching

Metadata also available as - [Outline]

Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Caribbean Sea Degree Heating Week Charts Archived 2000 NOAA Twice-Weekly Satellite 50km Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching
Abstract:
These archived coral bleaching Degree Heating Week (DHW) charts of the Caribbean Sea are graphic displays of the satellite coral bleaching DHWs of the Caribbean Sea at 50km resolution produced twice-weekly in near real-time fashion in 2000. DHW is the accumulation of Coral Bleaching HotSpots over a period of 12 consecutive weeks. The coral bleaching HotSpot is a special type of sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly and shows the difference of SST compared to a static coral bleaching threshold SST climatology. Only the positive anomalies (potential thermal stress to induce coral bleaching) are highlighted in HotSpots. The DHW value at any particular location at any particular time is the summation of the product of HotSpot values which are at least 1'C above the bleaching threshold SST and their durations in weeks (in minimum 0.5 week for our twice-weekly DHW) over the most recent 12-week period. One DHW is equivalent to 1 week of SST at 1'C above the threshold or 0.5 week of SST at 2'C above the threshold, etc. Satellite data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on NOAA's Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite (POES) are used to generate AVHRR-SST. The most recent AVHRR data obtained from the POES that is presently in operational mode are processed to generate the near real-time SST data used to create the coral bleaching HotSpots and DHWs. The SST data, coral bleaching HotSpots, DHWs and DHW chart are produced twice-weekly on every Tuesday (using AVHRR data from the previous Saturday through Monday) and on every Saturday (using AVHRR data from the previous Tuesday through Friday).
Supplemental_Information:
The archived 2000 charts are accessible from the links marked with corresponding dates at URL <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/dhw_retro_2000.html> The charts of the HotSpots used to derive the DHWs may be available at <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/climohot.html> The charts of the SST data used to derive the HotSpots may be available at _ The most recent near real-time DHWs may be avaliable at <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/dhw_retro.html>
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program NOAA National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service, 20001231, Caribbean Sea Degree Heating Week Charts Archived 2000 NOAA Twice-Weekly Satellite 50km Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching: NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program, Suitland, Maryland, USA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -88
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -61
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 22
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 9

  3. What does it look like?

    <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/dhw_retro_2000.html> (HTML, Web page)
    This is the index Web page for the archived 2000 NOAA Twice-Weekly Satellite 50km Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching Degree Heating Week Charts (Caribbean Ocean)

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: 01-Jan-2000
    Ending_Date: 31-Dec-2000
    Currentness_Reference: publication date

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote sensing image

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Raster data set. It contains the following raster data types:

      • Dimensions 550 x 900, type Grid Cell

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.5. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.5. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal Degrees.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Degree Heating Weeks grid cell
    any of the one-byte data elements in the Degree Heating Weeks files (Source: self-evident)

    Degree Heating Weeks grid cell value
    Degree Heating Weeks in the location indicated by the pixel. In the original DHW data files, the unit is in (degrees Celsius)(week) and DHW values are converted into digital numbers between 0 through 255 to be presented in gif image format. (Source: 1) Strong, A. E., C. S. Barrientos, C. Duda, and J. Sapper, 1997: Improved Satellite Technique for Monitoring Coral Reef Bleaching. Proc 8th International Coral Reef Symposium 2:1495-1498. Available also online at URL <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/icrs_dud.html> 2) Toscano, M. A., A. E. Strong, I. C. Guch, 1999: New Analyses for Ocean HotSpots and Coral Reef Bleaching. Reef Encounter, 26, 31. 3) "New AVHRR Product -- Coral Reef Hotspots" by A. E. Strong and C. Duda, available at the URL <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/ashe_ab.html> 4) The information for the AVHRR-derived sea surface temperture is described in the following user's guide. Goodrum G., K. B. Kidwell, and W. Winston, 2000, NOAA KLM USER'S GUIDE. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center, Climate Services Division, Satellite Services Branch, FOB3, Room G227, E/CC33, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746-4304, USA. This manual is available on line at <http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/cover.htm>. To request additional information contact: Telephone: (828) 271-4850, Telefax: (828) 271-4876, Email: satorder@ncdc.noaa.gov.)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:255

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Alan E. Strong, NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program Manager
    NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program
    NOAA E/RA3, Room 601, 5200 Auth Road
    Camp Springs, Maryland 20746
    USA

    301-763-8102 ext 170 (voice)
    301-763-8572 (FAX)
    Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov

Why was the data set created?

The NOAA twice-weekly global 50km Degree Heating Weeks were primarily developed for NOAA's Coral Reef Watch (CRW) Program from satellite data for both monitoring and assessment of coral bleaching. CRW's other satellite monitoring and assessment products include the SST, SST anomaly, coral bleaching HotSpots, Tropical Coral Bleaching Indices, and SST time series.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    NOAA Satellite Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching Degree Heating Weeks (Global) (source 1 of 3)
    NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program NOAA/NESDIS, 20000101, NOAA Twice-Weekly Satellite 50km Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching Degree Heating Weeks (Global): NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program, Suitland, Maryland, USA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: data file
    Source_Contribution: The charts are graphic displays of these source data.

    NOAA Satellite Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching HotSpots (Global) (source 2 of 3)
    NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program NOAA/NESDIS, 19970101, NOAA Twice-Weekly Satellite 50km Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching HotSpots (Global): NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program, Suitland, Maryland, USA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: data file
    Source_Contribution: The products were derived from these source data.

    NOAA Satellite Near Real-Time Nighttime AVHRR SSTs (Global) (source 3 of 3)
    NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program NOAA/NESDIS, 19970101, NOAA Twice-Weekly Satellite 50km Near Real-Time Nighttime AVHRR Sea Surface Temperatures (Global): NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program, Suitland, Maryland, USA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: data file
    Source_Contribution: The products were derived from these source data.

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 01-Jan-2000 (process 1 of 1)
    Degree Heating Weeks are calculated as the accumulation of coral bleaching HotSpots over the most recent 12 weeks. At each pixel, coral bleaching threshold sea surface temperature climatologic value is subtracted from AVHRR sea surface temperture value to produce coral bleaching HotSpot value. The Degree Heating Weeks are then visualized in the DHW chart. Some references are listed below. 1) Strong, A. E., C. S. Barrientos, C. Duda, and J. Sapper, 1997: Improved Satellite Technique for Monitoring Coral Reef Bleaching. Proc 8th International Coral Reef Symposium 2:1495-1498. Available also online at URL <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/icrs_dud.html> 2) Toscano, M. A., A. E. Strong, I. C. Guch, 1999: New Analyses for Ocean HotSpots and Coral Reef Bleaching. Reef Encounter, 26, 31. 3) "New AVHRR Product -- Coral Reef Hotspots" by A. E. Strong and C. Duda, available at the URL <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/ashe_ab.html>

    Person who carried out this activity:

    Alan E. Strong, NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program Manager
    NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program
    NOAA E/RA3, Room 601, 5200 Auth Road
    Camp Springs, Maryland 20746
    USA

    301-763-8102 ext 170 (voice)
    301-763-8572 (FAX)
    Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov

    Data sources used in this process:
    • NOAA Satellite Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching Degree Heating Weeks (Global)
    • NOAA Satellite Near Real-Time Coral Bleaching HotSpots (Global)
    • NOAA Satellite Near Real-Time Nighttime AVHRR SSTs (Global)

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    The accuracy of the Degree Heating Weeks depends on the accuracy of Coral Bleaching HotSpots. No estimation on the HotSpots has been done and only preliminary estimates exist for using DHWs to assess coral bleaching and mortality although they have demonstrated remarkable preliminary success in denoting most bleaching events. Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite (POES) AVHRR-SST values are accurate to within 0.5 degrees C and adjusted by in-situ information (buoys) to best-approximate SST at a depth of 1 meter. However, to provide a complete global coverage, estimation of SSTs at all pixels that are cloud covered may occasionally reduce the accuracy of SST at these pixels.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Users are referred to the following guide on AVHRR-derived sea surface temperature. Goodrum G., K. B. Kidwell, and W. Winston, 2000, NOAA KLM USER'S GUIDE. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center, Climate Services Division, Satellite Services Branch, FOB3, Room G227, E/CC33, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746-4304, USA. This manual is available on line at <http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/cover.htm>. To request additional information contact: Telephone: (828) 271-4850, Telefax: (828) 271-4876, Email: satorder@ncdc.noaa.gov.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

    none

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    Selected references are as follows. 1) Strong, A. E., C. S. Barrientos, C. Duda, and J. Sapper, 1997: Improved Satellite Technique for Monitoring Coral Reef Bleaching. Proc 8th International Coral Reef Symposium 2:1495-1498. Available also online at URL <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/icrs_dud.html> 2) Toscano, M. A., A. E. Strong, I. C. Guch, 1999: New Analyses for Ocean HotSpots and Coral Reef Bleaching. Reef Encounter, 26, 31. 3) "New AVHRR Product -- Coral Reef Hotspots" by A. E. Strong and C. Duda, available at the URL <http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/ashe_ab.html> 4) The information for the AVHRR-derived sea surface temperture is described in the following user's guide. Goodrum G., K. B. Kidwell, and W. Winston, 2000, NOAA KLM USER'S GUIDE. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center, Climate Services Division, Satellite Services Branch, FOB3, Room G227, E/CC33, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746-4304, USA. This manual is available online at <http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/cover.htm>. To request additional information contact: Telephone: (828) 271-4850, Telefax: (828) 271-4876, Email: satorder@ncdc.noaa.gov.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    none

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints:
Not intended for legal use. Data may contain inaccuracies due to clouded or mixed pixels.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Alan E. Strong, NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program Manager
    NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program
    NOAA E/RA3, Room 601, 5200 Auth Road
    Camp Springs, Maryland 20746
    USA

    301-763-8102 ext 170 (voice)
    301-763-8572 (FAX)
    Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data, nor as a result of the failure of these data to function on a particular system.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 12-Aug-2008
Metadata author:
Alan E. Strong, NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program Manager
NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program
NOAA E/RA3, Room 601, 5200 Auth Road
Camp Springs, Maryland 20746
USA

301-763-8102 ext 170 (voice)
301-763-8572 (FAX)
Alan.E.Strong@noaa.gov

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

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