Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Comprehensive seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 in Culebra Island, Caribbean Sea (NCEI Accession 0301897)

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This dataset provides seagrass habitat metrics collected in 2014 and 2022 at 13 monitoring stations in Ensenada Honda and Puerto Manglar in the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, as part of Culebra's Ridge-to-Reef Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to assess the effectiveness of the NOAA strategies and actions in priority watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution (LBSP) impacts to the nearshore marine ecosystems of the island. Metrics include benthic cover of: total seagrasses, seagrasses by species, macroalgae, coralline algae, scleractinian corals, sponges, and sand/sediments, short shoot densities, and epiphyte relative abundance.

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Vandiver, Lisa; Nemeth, Michael; Griffin, Sean; Figuerola-Hernandez, Miguel; Morales-Ruiz, Catalina; Rivera-Rieira, Rebeca; Figueroa-Sanchez, Yasiel (2025). Comprehensive seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 in Culebra Island, Caribbean Sea (NCEI Accession 0301897). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/jwtc-7k82. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0301897

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	Excel
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	2014-08-01 to 2024-08-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -65.308333 East: -65.244444 South: 18.288611 North: 18.313888
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation	NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.
Associated Resources	Braun-Blanquet, J (1932) Plant sociology: the study of plant communities. Authorized English translation of Pflanzensoziologie. Translate, revised, and edited by George D. Fuller and Henry S. Conard, 1st ed. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. 439 pp. https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/chla2917578 Digitization of book hard copy.

Publication Dates	publication: 2025-03-03 creation: 2025-02-19
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	This dataset provides seagrass habitat metrics collected in 2014 and 2022 at 13 monitoring stations in Ensenada Honda and Puerto Manglar in the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, as part of Culebra's Ridge-to-Reef Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to assess the effectiveness of the NOAA strategies and actions in priority watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution (LBSP) impacts to the nearshore marine ecosystems of the island. Metrics include benthic cover of: total seagrasses, seagrasses by species, macroalgae, coralline algae, scleractinian corals, sponges, and sand/sediments, short shoot densities, and epiphyte relative abundance. These data addresses biological response endpoint monitoring; specifically, seagrass monitoring to establish baseline data with which to evaluate the proximal effects of LBSP management actions to address increased terrigenous sediment transport to Ensenada Honda and associated nearshore waters of Culebra. Seagrass is viewed as a sentinel indicator of the effects of management actions because they are located more closely to the source of pollution than the coral reef track which is ultimately the key biological response endpoint of NOAA LBSP management goals and outcomes on Culebra.
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: Vandiver, Lisa; Nemeth, Michael; Griffin, Sean; Figuerola-Hernandez, Miguel; Morales-Ruiz, Catalina; Rivera-Rieira, Rebeca; Figueroa-Sanchez, Yasiel (2025). Comprehensive seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 in Culebra Island, Caribbean Sea (NCEI Accession 0301897). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/jwtc-7k82. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Vandiver, Lisa NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation Nemeth, Michael NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation Griffin, Sean NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation Figuerola-Hernandez, Miguel Sea Ventures Morales-Ruiz, Catalina Sea Ventures Rivera-Rieira, Rebeca Protectores de Cuencas Figueroa-Sanchez, Yasiel Protectores de Cuencas
Principal Investigators	Lisa Vandiver NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation (NMFS/OHC)
Contributors	NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation (NMFS/OHC) NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM)
Resource Providers	Bernardo Vargas-Ángel NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation (NMFS/OHC)
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Funding Agency: NOAA NOAA Restoration Center Funding Agency: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS BENTHIC SPECIES CORAL MACROALGAE REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER SEA GRASSES - DENSITY SEDIMENTS - PERCENT COVER NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS biological in situ survey survey - biological WMO_CategoryCode oceanography CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus Numeric Data Sets > Benthic CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Algae Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Coralline Algae EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Fleshy Macroalgae EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Quadrat Monitoring EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Scleractinia (stony corals) EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Sponges EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic biology EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Hard Coral Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Plants > Seagrass EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Plants > Seagrass > Leaf/shoot Measurements EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Plants > Seagrass > Monitoring > In Situ Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > ANGIOSPERMS (FLOWERING PLANTS) > MONOCOTS > SEAGRASS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MACROALGAE (SEAWEEDS) EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > MARINE SEDIMENTS EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > COASTAL LANDFORMS > CORAL REEFS
Data Center keywords	NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Office for Coastal Management NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation Contributing Data Centers Protectores de Cuencas Sea Ventures US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Office of Habitat Conservation (OHC) US DOC; NOAA; NOS; Office for Coastal Management (OCM) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NMFS > National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NOS/OCM > Office of Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS swimmer/diver Provider Instruments Quadrat
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Caribbean Sea CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Puerto Rico > Culebra Island (18N065W0011) OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea /North Atlantic Ocean > Puerto Rico > Culebra Island (18N065W0011) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > CARIBBEAN SEA Provider Place Names Culebra Island
Project keywords	NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) CORAL REEF STUDIES CRCP Project 30033 Reducing LBSP threats from unpaved roads on Culebra Island
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0301897
Keywords	Send2NCEI Submission Package ID 3F3984

Use Constraints	Cite as: Vandiver, Lisa; Nemeth, Michael; Griffin, Sean; Figuerola-Hernandez, Miguel; Morales-Ruiz, Catalina; Rivera-Rieira, Rebeca; Figueroa-Sanchez, Yasiel (2025). Comprehensive seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 in Culebra Island, Caribbean Sea (NCEI Accession 0301897). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/jwtc-7k82. Accessed [date].
Data License	This dataset has been dedicated to the public domain under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. SPDX License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0)
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	2025-03-03T21:26:28Z - NCEI Accession 0301897 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0301897 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0301897 v1.1 (download) published 2025-03-03T21:26:28Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: Comprehensive seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 in Culebra Island (measured); Units: Percent cover, shoots per 100 cm^2, Epiphyte Index Score; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Quadrat; Sampling and Analyzing Method: At each monitoring station, three replicate 30 meter transects were set up, oriented perpendicular to shoreline and extending offshore. A 0.25 m2 PVC sampling quadrat (50 cm x 50 cm) divided into 25 grid units (10 cm x 10 cm each) was used to estimate attributes of the seagrass community within each of 30 quadrats sampled contiguously (one at each meter mark) along each 30 m transect. Transect #2 was extended to the edge of the bed and seagrass community attributes were recorded within four quadrats placed equidistant from the 30 meter mark to the edge of the bed. Within each 0.25 m2 quadrat. seagrass community attributes were recorded implementing visually estimated Braun Blanquet (1932) index scores. Seagrass habitat metrics recorded included: 1- Total seagrass cover by species (i.e., Thalassia testudinum, Syringodium filiforme, Halodule wrightii, and Halophila stipulacea). Halophila was recorded as an individual seagrass species, but not considered in the total seagrass cover score. 2) Total cover of macroalgae, calcareous algae, sponge, corals, and sediment and/or rubble. 3) Epiphytic load index. 4) Short shoot densities (# shoots/100 cm2); collected within a single randomized 100 cm2 (10 cm x 10 cm) grid box within each quadrat along the 30 m transect.; Data Quality Method: Prior to the initiation of data collection, the divers checked and calibrated their mutual Braun-Blanquet index and epiphyte load scores for each benthic category present in the quadrat. Within monitoring stations, the 2014 and 2022 survey transects were not exactly collocated.

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: Comprehensive seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 in Culebra Island (measured); Units: Percent cover, shoots per 100 cm^2, Epiphyte Index Score; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Quadrat; Sampling and Analyzing Method: At each monitoring station, three replicate 30 meter transects were set up, oriented perpendicular to shoreline and extending offshore. A 0.25 m2 PVC sampling quadrat (50 cm x 50 cm) divided into 25 grid units (10 cm x 10 cm each) was used to estimate attributes of the seagrass community within each of 30 quadrats sampled contiguously (one at each meter mark) along each 30 m transect. Transect #2 was extended to the edge of the bed and seagrass community attributes were recorded within four quadrats placed equidistant from the 30 meter mark to the edge of the bed. Within each 0.25 m2 quadrat. seagrass community attributes were recorded implementing visually estimated Braun Blanquet (1932) index scores. Seagrass habitat metrics recorded included: 1- Total seagrass cover by species (i.e., Thalassia testudinum, Syringodium filiforme, Halodule wrightii, and Halophila stipulacea). Halophila was recorded as an individual seagrass species, but not considered in the total seagrass cover score. 2) Total cover of macroalgae, calcareous algae, sponge, corals, and sediment and/or rubble. 3) Epiphytic load index. 4) Short shoot densities (# shoots/100 cm2); collected within a single randomized 100 cm2 (10 cm x 10 cm) grid box within each quadrat along the 30 m transect.; Data Quality Method: Prior to the initiation of data collection, the divers checked and calibrated their mutual Braun-Blanquet index and epiphyte load scores for each benthic category present in the quadrat. Within monitoring stations, the 2014 and 2022 survey transects were not exactly collocated.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	swimmer/diver

Last Modified: 2025-12-16T13:13:56Z
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Comprehensive seagrass community structure and demography from transect surveys conducted in 2014 and 2022 in Culebra Island, Caribbean Sea (NCEI Accession 0301897)

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