Inter-disciplinary study of flow dynamics and sedimentation stress effects on coral colonies using the Line Point Intercept Method in Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa in March 2012

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information
• CoRIS

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Publication_Date: 20130118

Title:

Inter-disciplinary study of flow dynamics and sedimentation stress effects on coral colonies using the Line Point Intercept Method in Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa in March 2012

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet

Online_Linkage: <http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/eco_assess.php>

Description:

Abstract:

The field data described herein are part of the CRCP-funded project aimed at establishing baseline Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys for coral reef benthic cover and composition at Faga'alu Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa. Line point intercept (LPI) surveys and benthic composition assessments were conducted from 20120326 to 20120331 at 21 sites by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC).Benthic biologists from NOAA's Coral Reef Ecosystem Division conducted Line Point Intercept surveys to quantitatively document the benthic cover at pre-determined REA sites. Two linear 25 m transects were surveyed with a 5 m inter-transect region between the end of Transect 1 and the start of Transect 2. The LPI diver determines the benthic composition at 20 cm intervals for a total of 125 data points per transect. All living benthic elements (e.g., coral, algae, and other invertebrates) were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible, often substituting functional group categories for turf algae and crustose coralline algae when identification in the field was extremely difficult. In cases where the substrate is bare or covered with turf algae, the substrate composition is also noted as either sand, rock, rubble, carbonate pavement, or dead coral. The data allows for the assessment and monitoring of species composition and abundance and provide the basis for computing quantitative estimates of percent cover at higher taxonomic levels like functional group (live coral, macroalgae, turf algae) or on a finer taxonomic resolution such as genus level.

Purpose:

The field data described herein are part of the CRCP-funded project aimed at establishing baseline Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys for coral reef benthic cover and composition at Faga'alu Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa.

Supplemental_Information:

Maximum depth was 18 meters. Benthic components observed: Acanthastrea, Acropora, Amansia, Astreopora, Bryopsis, Caulerpa, Cheilosporum, Chlorodesmis, Cladiella, Coralline algae, Coscinaraea, Crustose coralline algae, Cyanobacteria, Cyphastrea, Dictyota, Diploastrea, Echinophyllia, Echinopora, Favia, Favites, Fungia, Galaxea, Goniastrea, Halimeda, Haloplegma, Hydnophora, Isopora, Leptastrea, Lobophora, Lobophyllia, Lobophyton, Merulina, Mesophyllum, Millepora, Montastrea, Montipora, Oxypora, Palythoa, Pavona, Peyssonnelia, Platygyra, Pocillopora, Porifera, Porites, Psammocora, Rhodactis, Rhodymenia, Sand, Sarcophyton, Sinularia, Turf algae, Valonia

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20120328

Ending_Date: 20120330

Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: asNeeded

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -170.6808019

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -170.67263173

North_Bounding_Coordinate: -14.28706602

South_Bounding_Coordinate: -14.29516353

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: Marine Ecosystem

Theme_Keyword: Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP)

Theme_Keyword: Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA)

Theme_Keyword: Coral Reef Ecosystem

Theme_Keyword: Benthic Cover

Theme_Keyword: American Samoa

Theme_Keyword: Tutuila

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus

Theme_Keyword: Numeric Data Sets > Biology

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Theme Thesaurus

Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs

Theme_Keyword:

EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology

Theme_Keyword:

EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment

Theme_Keyword:

EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Rapid assessment studies

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

Theme_Keyword: biota

Theme_Keyword: 002

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Place_Keyword: American Samoa

Place_Keyword: Tutuila

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Place Thesaurus

Place_Keyword:

OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016)

Place_Keyword:

COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016)

Place_Keyword:

COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Faga'alu (14S170W0005)

Place_Keyword:

OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Pago Pago Harbor > Faga'alu (14S170W0005)

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Region

Place_Keyword: AmSam

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

Please cite CRED when using data. Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands
Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 1125B Ala Moana Blvd.

City: Honolulu

State_or_Province: HI

Postal_Code: 96814

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808-983-5300

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 808-983-3730

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov

Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred

Data_Set_Credit:

Cristi Richards, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED); Rodney Withall, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED)

Security_Information:

Security_Classification_System: Not applicable

Security_Classification: Unclassified

Security_Handling_Description: Not applicable

Native_Data_Set_Environment: Oracle

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

The benthic cover parameter observations were made by a single diver who is a benthic ecologist. The benthic cover assessment surveys are conducted one time per site per survey year; it is not replicated.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

The same methods of data collection were used at each of the sites surveyed at this location, and were conducted by the same scientist.

Completeness_Report:

The survey sites were selected to be representative of the dominant habitats at this reef system.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: GPS Unit

Quantitative_Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 1

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Instrument parameters

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Dive computer and SCUBA depth gauge

Quantitative_Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 0.3

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Instrument parameters

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

REA surveys are investigations that provide a high degree of taxonomic resolution for coral, algae, and other macroinvertebrate communities. During REA surveys, biological assessment teams follow highly structured protocols that are repeated at each REA site. Upon arrival at an REA site, divers entered the water and deployed two 25 m transect lines which are shared with coral surveys that gather community structure, diversity, recruitment, and health status data. The sampling effort takes between 60 and 80 min to complete. The selection of REA sites was made implementing a randomization tool on a GIS habitat bathymetry map of Faga’alu Bay, and the spatial effort allocation was proportional to the percentage of target reef habitat within two main depth strata (shallow: ~ 6–30 ft, and medium: 30–60 ft). Factors considered during REA site selection included ensuring a range of sample sites representative of the benthic and reef fish habitats in the Bay. It is important to note that access to REA sites can be limited by wave exposure, weather conditions, and other environmental factors such as currents. Transect placement was guided by: (1) a focus on hard-bottom communities; (2) deploying lines along an isobath to the extent possible at each site, and (3) laying the transect lines into the prevailing current.

Process_Date: Unknown

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.0001

Longitude_Resolution: 0.0001

Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84)

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80 (GRS80)

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.2572236

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands
Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)

Contact_Position: Data Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 1125B Ala Moana Blvd.

City: Honolulu

State_or_Province: HI

Postal_Code: 96814

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808-983-5300

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 808-983-3730

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov

Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred

Resource_Description: Offline Data

Distribution_Liability:

While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name:

xls (Microsoft Excel worksheet) or csv (comma-separated values)

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Offline_Option:

Offline_Media: CD-ROM or email

Recording_Format: ISO 9660

Fees: None if receiving the data online

Custom_Order_Process: Contact CRED data management team for information

Technical_Prerequisites: Contact CRED data management team for information

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20130118

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands
Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address: 1125B Ala Moana Blvd

City: Honolulu

State_or_Province: HI

Postal_Code: 96814

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808-983-5300

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 808-983-3730

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov

Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

CoRIS:

CoRIS_Metadata_Link:

<http://www.coris.noaa.gov/metadata/records/html/cred_metadata_benthic_rea_lpi_tut_mar2012.html>

CoRIS_Tracking_ID: 6627