| Processing Steps |
- Parameter or Variable: SPECIES IDENTIFICATION (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic Indo-Pacific ReefBudget: Following Indo-Pacific ReefBudget methodology, benthic survey data were collected by divers along six 10-m transects per site. Transects were laid out in two parallel rows of three -- where the middle transects in each row were overlaid on the inshore and offshore 10-m edges of the fixed site box -- with 5-m spacing between adjacent transects. Along each transect, the surface cover (cm) of every benthic component located directly beneath the transect tape was measured with a flexible measuring tape. Data were collected on the following benthic components: hard coral (identified to genus/species and morphology), crustose coralline algae (CCA), macroalgae, turf, sand, carbonate hard substrate, non-carbonate hard substrate, or other (including cyanobacteria, soft coral, seagrass, sponges, zoanthids, corallimorphs, or other invertebrates). The surface cover of coral colonies with open branching morphologies (e.g. Acropora intermedia, Pocillopora grandis) was estimated by multiplying the total number of branches directly beneath the transect tape by the average branch diameter, and empty space between and beneath the live branches was considered to be turf. This approach minimizes potential over-estimation of live coral cover that can occur when draping the tape over an entire branching colony (where void space is included in the surface cover measurement). Surface cover of colonies with closed branching morphologies (e.g. Acropora humilis, Pocillopora damicornis; where void space between branches is minimal and all substrate beneath the transect tape is coral skeleton) was measured by draping the tape over the entire colony. Benthic Chords: Divers collected in-water benthic data along the same set of transects that were later surveyed virtually using SfM. To ensure that transects fell within the 12-m SfM circular footprint, a master transect tape was first established along the inshore, 10-m edge of the fixed site box. Six 8-m to 10-m perpendicular transects (2 x 8 m, 2 x 9 m, and 2 x 10 m) were then laid out at predetermined distances along the master transect tape with 1.5-m spacing between transects (shorter transects closer to the edges, longer transects towards the center of the circle). Benthic data were collected along the six perpendicular transects according to the Indo-Pacific ReefBudget methodology outlined above. Yellow dive weights were placed on the benthos at the beginning and end of each diver-completed transect; these weights were included in subsequent SfM imagery collection to mark the locations of diver-collected transects. Urchin Indo-Pacific ReefBudget: Urchin surveys were conducted over a 1 m-wide belt along the same transects used for Indo-Pacific ReefBudget benthic surveys. Along each transect, divers recorded the number and test size (size of the urchin shell excluding spines) for the following genera/species: Echinostrephus spp., Echinothrix spp., Diadema spp., Echinometra spp. (including Echinometra mathaei), and Parasalenia spp.. Test sizes were measured with a scale bar on the side of the dive slates and binned into 20 mm size classes: 0-20 mm, 21-40 mm, 41-60 mm, 61-80 mm, 81-100 mm, 101-120 mm, 121-140 mm, and 141-160 mm. Urchin Chords: urchin surveys (1 m x 8-10 m belt transects) were conducted along the same chords transects surveyed for the benthic methodology following the Indo-Pacific ReefBudget procedure. Fish Belt surveys: The belt method is used to conduct reef fish surveys around the Hawaiian Archipelago and the Marianas Archipelago as part of the carbonate budget pilot study. Fish are counted and sized (total length in centimeters, binned into 10cm size classes) along a 5 x 30 m transect area at ten different locations within 30m of a fixed site previously established by ESD's Ocean and Climate Change team. The belt method catalogs the density (abundance per hectare), biomass (kg per hectare), and bioerosion (kilograms per meters squared per year) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (average 15m) hard-bottom habitats. Bioerosion metrics are calculated using foraging metrics that have been derived from literature where Pacific fish species were prioritized. These three values include: 1) proportion of bites leaving scars, 2) bite rates (bites per minute), and 3) volume removed per bite (centimeters cubed). Fish Stationary Point Count surveys: The stationary point count (SPC) method is used to conduct reef fish surveys as part of the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The SPC method catalogs the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (less than 30 m) hard-bottom habitats. This study uses two complimentary sampling designs to survey the coral reef ecosystems at and around selected fixed-sites: 1) A stratified random sampling (StRS) design and 2) a fixed-site (fixed SPC) sampling design. The StRS survey domain encompasses the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats within 12.5 km of permanent fixed-sites previously established by ESD's Ocean and Climate Change team. The stratification includes island, reef zone, depth, and habitat structure type. Sampling effort is anywhere between 16 to 55 StRS SPC sites within 12.5 kilometers of each fixed-site, excluding the fixed SPC data.; Data Quality Method: The same methods of data collection are used at each surveyed site. Observations at each site were made by divers who have been trained, and met minimum standards in identifying species present at the survey locations and in estimating size of benthic, urchin, and fish. All species identifications are made visually. Observations, including species identification and sizing, are periodically checked during expeditions for consistency between divers (diver bias) or other discrepancies. Data entry is usually conducted on the same day as the surveys using a data entry interface with several data controls employed, and are quality controlled by the divers using a two-person system. Following a mission, the data is then run through rigorous quality control checks by the data management team before the data are migrated to the Oracle database. Given the size of the data set, there remains some possibility of typographical or other errors.
- Parameter or Variable: SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - ORGANISM LENGTH (measured); Units: centimeter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Urchin Indo-Pacific ReefBudget: Urchin surveys were conducted over a 1 m-wide belt along the same transects used for Indo-Pacific ReefBudget benthic surveys. Along each transect, divers recorded the number and test size (size of the urchin shell excluding spines) for the following genera/species: Echinostrephus spp., Echinothrix spp., Diadema spp., Echinometra spp. (including Echinometra mathaei), and Parasalenia spp.. Test sizes were measured with a scale bar on the side of the dive slates and binned into 20 mm size classes: 0-20 mm, 21-40 mm, 41-60 mm, 61-80 mm, 81-100 mm, 101-120 mm, 121-140 mm, and 141-160 mm. Urchin Chords: urchin surveys (1 m x 8-10 m belt transects) were conducted along the same chords transects surveyed for the benthic methodology following the Indo-Pacific ReefBudget procedure. Fish Belt surveys: The belt method is used to conduct reef fish surveys around the Hawaiian Archipelago and the Marianas Archipelago as part of the carbonate budget pilot study. Fish are counted and sized (total length in centimeters, binned into 10cm size classes) along a 5 x 30 m transect area at ten different locations within 30m of a fixed site previously established by ESD's Ocean and Climate Change team. The belt method catalogs the density (abundance per hectare), biomass (kg per hectare), and bioerosion (kilograms per meters squared per year) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (average 15m) hard-bottom habitats. Bioerosion metrics are calculated using foraging metrics that have been derived from literature where Pacific fish species were prioritized. These three values include: 1) proportion of bites leaving scars, 2) bite rates (bites per minute), and 3) volume removed per bite (centimeters cubed). Fish Stationary Point Count surveys: The stationary point count (SPC) method is used to conduct reef fish surveys as part of the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The SPC method catalogs the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (less than 30 m) hard-bottom habitats. This study uses two complimentary sampling designs to survey the coral reef ecosystems at and around selected fixed-sites: 1) A stratified random sampling (StRS) design and 2) a fixed-site (fixed SPC) sampling design. The StRS survey domain encompasses the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats within 12.5 km of permanent fixed-sites previously established by ESD's Ocean and Climate Change team. The stratification includes island, reef zone, depth, and habitat structure type. Sampling effort is anywhere between 16 to 55 StRS SPC sites within 12.5 kilometers of each fixed-site, excluding the fixed SPC data.; Data Quality Method: The same methods of data collection are used at each surveyed site. Observations at each site were made by divers who have been trained, and met minimum standards in identifying species present at the survey locations and in estimating size of urchin and fish. All species identifications are made visually. Observations, including species identification and sizing, are periodically checked during expeditions for consistency between divers (diver bias) or other discrepancies. Data entry is usually conducted on the same day as the surveys using a data entry interface with several data controls employed, and are quality controlled by the divers using a two-person system. Following a mission, the data is then run through rigorous quality control checks by the data management team before the data are migrated to the Oracle database. Given the size of the data set, there remains some possibility of typographical or other errors.
- Parameter or Variable: REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER (measured); Units: percent; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Fish Stationary Point Count surveys: On completing the fish count, divers make rapid visual estimates of benthic cover and structural complexity of the substrate within their survey cylinder. Benthic cover is estimated for broad functional groups (e.g., hard coral, sand, macroalgae). Structural complexity is determined by estimating the amount of the cylinder within 5 substrate-height bins (<20 cm, 20-50 cm; 50-100 cm; 100-150 cm, and >150 cm).; Data Quality Method: Visual estimates of benthic cover are useful as broad indication of the reef benthic assemblages present at each survey site, but there is considerable scope for error in rapid diver estimates of this kind.
- Parameter or Variable: MACROINVERTEBRATE CENSUS (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Urchin Indo-Pacific ReefBudget: Urchin surveys were conducted over a 1 m-wide belt along the same transects used for Indo-Pacific ReefBudget benthic surveys. Along each transect, divers recorded the number and test size (size of the urchin shell excluding spines) for the following genera/species: Echinostrephus spp., Echinothrix spp., Diadema spp., Echinometra spp. (including Echinometra mathaei), and Parasalenia spp.. Test sizes were measured with a scale bar on the side of the dive slates and binned into 20 mm size classes: 0-20 mm, 21-40 mm, 41-60 mm, 61-80 mm, 81-100 mm, 101-120 mm, 121-140 mm, and 141-160 mm. Urchin Chords: urchin surveys (1 m x 8-10 m belt transects) were conducted along the same chords transects surveyed for the benthic methodology following the Indo-Pacific ReefBudget procedure. Fish Stationary Point Count Surveys: Urchin and boring urchin categorized as dominant (D), abundant (A), common (C), occasional (O), or rare (R); Data Quality Method: The same methods of data collection are used at each surveyed site. Observations at each site were made by divers who have been trained, and met minimum standards in identifying species present at the survey locations and in estimating size of urchins. All species identifications are made visually. Observations, including species identification and sizing, are periodically checked during expeditions for consistency between divers (diver bias) or other discrepancies. Data entry is usually conducted on the same day as the surveys using a data entry interface with several data controls employed, and are quality controlled by the divers using a two-person system. Following a mission, the data is then run through rigorous quality control checks by the data management team before the data are migrated to the Oracle database. Given the size of the data set, there remains some possibility of typographical or other errors.
- Parameter or Variable: REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - SURFACE AREA (measured); Units: centimeter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic Indo-Pacific ReefBudget: Following Indo-Pacific ReefBudget methodology, benthic survey data were collected by divers along six 10-m transects per site. Transects were laid out in two parallel rows of three -- where the middle transects in each row were overlaid on the inshore and offshore 10-m edges of the fixed site box -- with 5-m spacing between adjacent transects. Along each transect, the surface cover (cm) of every benthic component located directly beneath the transect tape was measured with a flexible measuring tape. Data were collected on the following benthic components: hard coral (identified to genus/species and morphology), crustose coralline algae (CCA), macroalgae, turf, sand, carbonate hard substrate, non-carbonate hard substrate, or other (including cyanobacteria, soft coral, seagrass, sponges, zoanthids, corallimorphs, or other invertebrates). The surface cover of coral colonies with open branching morphologies (e.g. Acropora intermedia, Pocillopora grandis) was estimated by multiplying the total number of branches directly beneath the transect tape by the average branch diameter, and empty space between and beneath the live branches was considered to be turf. This approach minimizes potential over-estimation of live coral cover that can occur when draping the tape over an entire branching colony (where void space is included in the surface cover measurement). Surface cover of colonies with closed branching morphologies (e.g. Acropora humilis, Pocillopora damicornis; where void space between branches is minimal and all substrate beneath the transect tape is coral skeleton) was measured by draping the tape over the entire colony. Benthic Chords: Divers collected in-water benthic data along the same set of transects that were later surveyed virtually using SfM. To ensure that transects fell within the 12-m SfM circular footprint, a master transect tape was first established along the inshore, 10-m edge of the fixed site box. Six 8-m to 10-m perpendicular transects (2 x 8 m, 2 x 9 m, and 2 x 10 m) were then laid out at predetermined distances along the master transect tape with 1.5-m spacing between transects (shorter transects closer to the edges, longer transects towards the center of the circle). Benthic data were collected along the six perpendicular transects according to the Indo-Pacific ReefBudget methodology outlined above. Yellow dive weights were placed on the benthos at the beginning and end of each diver-completed transect; these weights were included in subsequent SfM imagery collection to mark the locations of diver-collected transects.; Data Quality Method: The same methods of data collection are used at each surveyed site. Observations at each site were made by divers who have been trained, and met minimum standards in identifying species present at the survey locations and in estimating size of benthic organisms. All species identifications are made visually. Observations, including species identification and sizing, are periodically checked during expeditions for consistency between divers (diver bias) or other discrepancies. Data entry is usually conducted on the same day as the surveys using a data entry interface with several data controls employed, and are quality controlled by the divers using a two-person system. Following a mission, the data is then run through rigorous quality control checks by the data management team before the data are migrated to the Oracle database. Given the size of the data set, there remains some possibility of typographical or other errors.
- Parameter or Variable: SPECIES IDENTIFICATION (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Structure-from-Motion: Benthic data collection makes use of fixed-site SfM imagery already collected as part of NCRMP monitoring efforts. Imagery was collected at each site following NCRMP standard operating procedures (Rodriguez et al. 2021). The images were processed with Agisoft Metashape photogrammetry software to produce a scaled digital elevation model (DEM) and corresponding orthomosaic for each site. Benthic data were extracted from these two high resolution reef models in ArcGIS Pro 3.0.3 using a customized tool that replicates in-water benthic data collection in the SfM environment. Structure-from-Motion: Extraction of urchin data from SfM imagery was conducted for Oahu sites using ArcGIS Pro and NOAA Video and Image Analytics for Marine Environments (VIAME) software. In ArcGIS Pro, virtual benthic transects laid in each fixed-site orthomosaic were cropped to the extent of the belt transect survey area (1 m x 8-10 m) and exported as individual jpeg images for each transect. Belt transect images were then uploaded to VIAME, and all visible urchins in were identified to genus/species and sized with a bounding box. The total length of each urchin (length of the test plus spines) was estimated to be the largest dimension of the bounding box.
- Parameter or Variable: SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - ORGANISM LENGTH (measured); Units: centimeter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Urchin Structure-from-Motion: Extraction of urchin data from SfM imagery was conducted for Oahu sites using ArcGIS Pro and NOAA Video and Image Analytics for Marine Environments (VIAME) software. In ArcGIS Pro, virtual benthic transects laid in each fixed-site orthomosaic were cropped to the extent of the belt transect survey area (1 m x 8-10 m) and exported as individual jpeg images for each transect. Belt transect images were then uploaded to VIAME, and all visible urchins in were identified to genus/species and sized with a bounding box. The total length of each urchin (length of the test plus spines) was estimated to be the largest dimension of the bounding box.
- Parameter or Variable: REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - SURFACE AREA (measured); Units: centimeter; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Structure-from-Motion: Benthic data collection makes use of fixed-site SfM imagery already collected as part of NCRMP monitoring efforts. Imagery was collected at each site following NCRMP standard operating procedures (Rodriguez et al. 2021). The images were processed with Agisoft Metashape photogrammetry software to produce a scaled digital elevation model (DEM) and corresponding orthomosaic for each site. Benthic data were extracted from these two high resolution reef models in ArcGIS Pro 3.0.3 using a customized tool that replicates in-water benthic data collection in the SfM environment.
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