Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic Images Collected from Stratified Random Sites (StRS) across the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from 2015-07-30 to 2015-08-21 (NCEI Accession 0276273)

browse graphicPreview graphic
The data described here are the 2015 benthic habitat imagery (color-corrected photographs) from benthic photo-quadrat surveys conducted along transects at stratified-random sites (StRS) across the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) from 2015-07-30 to 2015-08-21 during the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM)-led 2015 Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) cruise to the NWHI.

A stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems of Hawaii. The survey domain encompassed the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats in the 0-30 m depth range. The stratification scheme included island, reef zone, and depth in all regions, as well as habitat structure type. Allocation of sampling effort was proportional to strata area and variance in coral density. Sites were surveyed using photo-quadrats along transects to collect benthic imagery to ultimately produce estimates of relative abundance (percent cover), frequency of occurrence, benthic community taxonomic composition and relative generic richness.

The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than sampling more transects at a site. Therefore, site-level estimates and site to site comparisons should be used with caution.
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2023). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic Images Collected from Stratified Random Sites (StRS) across the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from 2015-07-30 to 2015-08-21 (NCEI Accession 0276273). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0276273. In NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic cover derived from analysis of images collected during stratified random surveys (StRS) of the Hawaiian Archipelago. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5js9nr4. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0276273
Full Text · XML
Download Data
  • HTTPS (download)
    Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • FTP (download)
    These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats
  • CSV
  • JPEG
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2015-07-30 to 2015-08-21
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -178.380143
East: -166.056714
South: 23.625891
North: 28.459465
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic cover derived from analysis of images collected during stratified random surveys (StRS) of the Hawaiian Archipelago
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2020: National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic Images Collected from Stratified Random Sites (StRS) across the Hawaiian Archipelago from 2013 to 2019, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/36152.
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2022: Developing a semi-automated CoralNet Bleaching Classifier: annotations and imagery from survey sites across the Hawaiian Archipelago between 2014 and 2019, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/67962.
  • NOAA ESD Coral Bleaching Classifier
    • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NCRMP-StRS-Images-HI
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2023-02-17
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose The NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) details a long term approach to provide an ecosystem perspective via monitoring climate, fish, benthic, and socioeconomic variables in a consistent and integrated manner. The NCRMP coordinates various NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) biological, physical, and human dimensions activities into a cohesive NOAA-wide effort. Through the implementation of the NCRMP, NOAA is able to clearly and concisely communicate results of national-scale monitoring to national, state, and territorial policy makers, resource managers, and the public on a periodic basis. NCRMP is a framework for conducting sustained observations of biological, climate, and socioeconomic indicators at 10 priority coral reefs across the U.S. and its territories. This integrated approach consolidates monitoring of coral reefs under a uniform method in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. NCRMP is funded by the CRCP and supported by NOAA Fisheries, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), and many other partners. The PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) at NOAA Fisheries is leading biological monitoring in the U.S. Pacific Islands Region. The biological component of NCRMP in the Pacific provides a triennial ecological characterization at a broad spatial scale of general reef condition for reef fishes, corals and benthic habitat (i.e., fish species composition/density/size, benthic cover, and coral density/size/condition). Innovative analysis techniques are then used to develop products that give fellow scientists, managers, decision makers and the public a better understanding of a region’s resources and how they are changing over time.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2023). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic Images Collected from Stratified Random Sites (StRS) across the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from 2015-07-30 to 2015-08-21 (NCEI Accession 0276273). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0276273. In NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic cover derived from analysis of images collected during stratified random surveys (StRS) of the Hawaiian Archipelago. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5js9nr4. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; NOS; Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP)
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
  • Visual Images > Habitats
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect Monitoring
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Rapid assessment studies
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic biology
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral Communities
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Keywords
  • PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES (Measured)
  • REA
  • Rapid Ecological Assessment
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Contributing Organizations
  • CRED
  • CREP
  • Coral Reef Ecosystem Division
  • Coral Reef Ecosystem Program
  • ESD
  • Ecosystem Sciences Division
  • PIFSC
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS CoRIS Place Thesaurus
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CRCP Project
  • 743
  • National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
Provider Project Names
  • Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP)
  • National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP)
  • Pacific Reef and Assessment Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP - NOAA/NMFS/CRED)
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • 9URM5J
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2023). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic Images Collected from Stratified Random Sites (StRS) across the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from 2015-07-30 to 2015-08-21 (NCEI Accession 0276273). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0276273. In NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Benthic cover derived from analysis of images collected during stratified random surveys (StRS) of the Hawaiian Archipelago. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5js9nr4. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2023-02-17T16:58:30Z - NCEI Accession 0276273 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES (Measured) (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: camera; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Photoquadrat surveys were conducted by both the fish and benthic teams. Still photographs were collected to record the benthic community composition at predetermined points along the transect line with a high-resolution digital camera mounted on a pole. Overall, 30 photoquadrat images are collected at each site. The fish team conducts these surveys along one 30-m transect that spans the length of two stationary point count (SPC) cylinders used to assess fish abundance (30 images total).; Data Quality Method: The photos are reviewed by the diver for accuracy and usability. To ensure consistency, images were color corrected using Adobe Lightroom if it appeared that the camera they were taken from was not properly white balanced in the field. Typically, 30 photographs are collected per site; however, there may be instances in which camera issues, survey conditions, or image quality results in fewer than the standard 30 photos per site..
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • camera
Platform
  • NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai
Last Modified: 2024-09-17T19:17:32Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov